Booki–Chapter 1
After six years of secret marriage, Colt Nolan lifted his daughter high for the first time tonight.
Five–year–old Emilie burst into laughter, waving gleefully at Cindy Benton. “Mom, Uncle made me
fly.”
Cindy forced a smile, her heart aching as she watched them, father and daughter.
Colt got drunk today and seemed to not know what he was doing.
He neither loved Emilie nor Cindy.
His joy tonight was entirely because his beloved Hazel Swanson had returned.
Six years ago, Colt and Hazel were passionately in love. But Hazel left suddenly. Colt had an accident while chasing after her, leaving him unable to walk.
Cindy, his personal assistant, stayed by his side day and night. She endured his bad temper, encouraged him, and accompanied him in his rehabilitation.
The day Colt stood on his own legs again, he celebrated by drinking excessively. Mistaking Cindy for Hazel, he pulled her into a whirlwind of passion that night–a night that happened five or six
times over.
That night resulted in Cindy’s pregnancy. Colt agreed to marry her.
But later she found out that Colt was not out of love, nor even duty.
He married her solely because he saw Hazel’s public declaration of love for someone else overseas.
After their marriage, Colt became a shadow in her life, never participated in her and their
daughter’s life.
When the day Emilie was born, he conveniently flew to another city for a business trip.
When Emilie began to speak, he forbade her from calling him “Dad.”
When Emilie lost control while skateboarding, he just coldly watched as she fell and got forehead
bloody, all because she called out for “Dad.”
And yet tonight, in his drunken haze, Colt looked at Emilie with a fatherly love in his eyes. After hugging his daughter, he placed her on the sofa and smiled at her, saying, “I’ll be a good father.”
“I believe in you, Daddy.”
But Colt didn’t respond. With a heavy smile on his face, he turned around and uttered a name.
“Allan.”
1/4
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He would be a good father to Allan.
Cindy felt cold–hearted.
Allan was Hazel’s son.
But Emilie only heard the first sentence and happily ran to Cindy’s side. “Mom, Dad likes me, right?
Can I call him Dad from now on?”
“He hugged me! He said he would be a good dad!”
Her eyes were filled with longing, longing for a definite answer.
She really wished she could jump into Colt’s arms like the other kids, call him daddy, and be doted
- on.
Cindy felt a pang of sadness in her heart, she crouched down and held Emilie in her arms, tears
welling up in her eyes.
She didn’t want to shatter her child’s hope, so she avoided answering her question.
She didn’t want Emilie to know that her momentary happiness was because of another aunt and the
aunt’s son.
“Emilie, would you be willing to leave here with Mom?” Cindy held back her tears. Emilie hesitated
for a moment.
“Mom, why do we have to leave?” Emilie’s smile froze on her face, looking puzzled, and tears
instantly welled up in her eyes.
“We are a family with dad. I want to stay with him.”
Cindy raised her hand to wipe away her tears and choked. “Because the person that Uncle truly likes
has returned. It’s time for us to leave.”
“But… dad likes me…” Emilie’s voice grew quieter as she spoke.
She probably knew in her heart that Colt didn’t love her.
“Mom, can we stay until after my birthday? Let’s give Dad a few more chances. Maybe Dad really
likes us now. If he’s willing to be with us, we won’t leave. Please?”
Cindy nodded with tears in her eyes, “Okay. We’ll do as you wish.”
Then give him a few more chances.
The continued to disappoint them, they would leave his world forever.
“Thank you, Mom.” “It’s time to sleep.”
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After putting Emilie to sleep, Cindy returned to her own room.
Her marriage with Colt was practically over. There was no need to even maintain a superficial relationship.
The next morning, Colt woke up and went downstairs.
Emilie was eating breakfast when she saw him, she happily put down her bread and ran towards
him.
“Dad, you’re awake!”
Colt’s face immediately darkened, and he coldly questioned, “What did you call me?”
Emilie’s arms froze in mid–air, startled by his appearance.
“Uncle…” Emilie changed her tone and sadly lowered her hand, “I’m sorry, Uncle.”
Cindy suppressed the sourness in her heart and walked over to pick her up, “Finish your breakfast. We’ll be late for school.”
She knew that Colt’s attitude towards them would not change.
His brief tenderness the night before was because Hazel came back. He was so happy and had too
much alcohol.
Colt’s demeanor softened a bit. He walked into the restaurant, took a sip of coffee, and left without a
word.
“Goodbye, Uncle,” Emilie shouted at his back as usual.
Still no response was received.
On the way to school, Emilie kept her head down and didn’t say a word. As they neared the school, she looked up at Cindy.
“Mommy, let’s count today as one chance. We’ll give Uncle three more,” Emilie said with tears
her eyes.
Cindy’s heart broke. “Alright, Emilie. We’ll do as you say.”
