pte

t hear what else he added because his voic

his relatives, then why did he marry M

o without them knowing you

dn't like what I said. I could see how tightly he was

trying to calm himself. "My point is, you're

to say something more,

g to boys? Did he think I'd secretly get in

ill young. I just ho

nderstand

e I've gotten used to calling him by

hat I say," he

to talk to Kuro or any other boy? I knew ther

ut

he snapped,

, equally

his p

're just Mom's husband - you're not my real dad!

for a moment and the words just came out. My hands started trembling when I saw his face shift from surprise

was so strong, I could see the veins in his hands. I bit my li

at me. I turned to look outside the window, hoping it would ease the pounding in m

mind - what if he hurts me to

etted

ver wishing for a

wish Grandpa had chosen someone

irst time, my

d were st

g we'd get home soon. Just like the first time I saw him, that same

ng wheel while the other rested against his head, hi

t awkward to breathe. My nervousness only dis

he's Manang Helen's granddaughter, three years older than me. She had curly hair and wore eyeglasses. She just told me

Grandpa's coming later. I smiled. It's been a whil

why. I regretted shouting at him earlier. I probably just got carried away by my emotions. I was so annoy

hand on me? Just the thought made me tear up. I've never even been spanked by Mommy because she's a

Zero would forget about it too. He can't hurt me anyway because Grandpa would get angry

or. I clutched my chest before deciding to stand up

nd your grandpa isn't here yet, so you better hurry before that man tur

and realized it was already dark. How long had I

pa arrives?" I asked innocently,

d just wait for your grandpa there. He might get mad if you don't follow hi

t my

er. I'll get

o do. I, on the other hand, changed clothes again s

as scared. But I had no choice. It would

en she saw me and gestured for me to sit across from her. She and Zer

both fists clenched on top of the table. I swallo

ends? Especially that boy you were talking

Zero's fro

?" Zero asked seriousl

and also Calen and Natasha. She didn't get mad at me

ro beside her, her

right, Hestia?" she turned

d tell already had an idea o

aughter to have a boyfr

s nothing wrong if she has a cru

r about my crushes, she listens and even t

fell

a deep

There's really no-"

ated, calling he

use Zero s

should call him uncle or dad or whatever! Where's your respect?!"

more was Zero's cold

daughter is your kind

ing the room. It seemed like

shouldn't have agreed to just call him by his name. I should've calle

t that earlier. Now they'

sion between them was suffocating. I gripped the strap of my simple dress.

at suddenly broke the heavy atm

miling at me. I quickly ran to him and h

and I laughed a little too. Wh

pa's voice turned serious as

! That sho

rom them. The fear I felt earli

ing,

," they answe

ho licked his lower lip an

h fell silent again

of the kid. That's eve

at the same tim

scared of

Contin