After Melissa finished speaking, Samantha''s expression shifted. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears that did not fall, making her look rather awkward.


    "Samantha, if you''re asking me, then that''s my answer." Melissa''s tone softened a little. "I lost my daughter for many years, but Jon never divorced me or remarried. We never even thought about having another child.


    "In our hearts, Cee is the only one. Even if we had another childter, it wouldn''t be her. No one could rece the ce she holds in our hearts. So, Samantha, the example you gave doesn''t stand.


    "And don''t feel bad. No one''s saying you were wrong. Everyone''s situation is different. You tried your best to protect your children and give them a good life. You can''t be med for that. Don''t take Samuel''s words to heart."<fn001d> This update is avable on find~novel</fn001d>


    Melissa pulled Sierra close. "Jonathan, pack up. We''ll follow our daughter''s lead."


    "Alright." Jonathan immediately returned to their room. Soon, he came out with their suitcase ready.


    "Samantha, don''t overthink it. We''ve been apart from our daughter for so many years. Now that we''ve finally found her, of course we''re going to follow her wishes." Jonathan looked at Samantha and exined carefully. "These past few days, staying with you has been a pleasure. We''re very grateful.


    "But now that we''re moving to Samuel''s ce, we''ll talk to him. We''ll help him understand how much you''ve sacrificed. We''re family, right? We need to be understanding and united. Moving in with him might actually be a good thing." "Ms. ir, once we''re there, we''ll talk to Samuel." Sierra added, "I''ve done some self-reflection. There were things I did and thoughts I had that weren''t right either.


    "If I still love Samuel, and Samuel still loves me, then we ought to cherish each other and build a good life together."


    "Sophia''s not home. Now that you''re all leaving, are you nning to leave me here alone?" Samantha''s tears started falling again. "I was thinking that even though Sophia''s married and on her honeymoon with Zac, at least I''d still have Sierra with me. I wouldn''t be lonely that way.


    "But now you''re going to live with Samuel, and your parents are leaving too. In the end, I''m not your real mother, so I can''t keep you here."


    Thatment didn''t sit well with Melissa. Her expression turned slightly cold. "Samantha, what do you mean by that? Cee already said that she''ll visit you. Besides, Cee''s been abroad all these years. You didn''t go to see her yourself, did you?


    "Now that she and Samuel need to work on their rtionship, you''re not helping. Instead, you''re saying such things. If you ask me, it''s because she''s not your biological daughter that you don''t really think of her the way a mother should.


    "Melissa, don''t say that." Jonathan gently tapped his wife''s shoulder. "Don''t forget that it was Samantha who brought Cee home. That''s what spared her from so much suffering. Samantha is our benefactor."


    Melissa took a deep breath and nodded. "You''re right. I spoke out of line, so I apologize. But I don''t like my daughter being guilt-tripped.


    "I''ll just say it outright-if anyone dares to hurt my daughter, I''ll risk my life to fight them.


    "Some of what Samuel said wasn''t wrong. I actually agree with him to a certain extent. Samantha, don''t feel so wronged. In life, you have to learn to reflect.


    "Alright. I''ve said what I needed to. Let''s go."


    Melissa, who was afraid she would lose control if she said more, grabbed Sierra''s hand, pulled Jonathan, and walked straight out of Samantha''s house.


    Inside the elevator, Sierra couldn''t help but worry. "Do you think Ms. ir might not take this well?"


    "No," Melissa answered without


    hesitation. "She''s a little selfish. I''m grateful she brought you back home, and I''ll never forget that But after spending time with her, I''vee to understand her a bit. She''s not entirely innocent, but not terribly wrong either.  s


    "Different perspectives mean being in different positions. It''s not about who is right


    or wrong. But she shouldn''t expect everyone to think like she does. Forcing her thoughts on others—that''s what''s wrong.


    "Cee, don''t overthink it and drain yourself emotionally. A lot of things in life aren''t ck and white.


    "All we care about is your happiness, health, and peace of mind. If you want a divorce from Samuel, we''ll support you. If you don''t, we''ll support you too."


    Melissa held Sierra''s hand. "Right or wrong, we''re always on your side. We''re biased and unreasonable, you see. You''re our daughter, and that''s all that matters.


    "Since Samuel doesn''t want a divorce either, sit down with him and talk it out. If you decide to live with him, your dad and I will support that.


    "As long as we''re around, no one''s allowed to bully you. We''d stake our lives on


    it."


    "Thanks, Mom." Sierra hugged Melissa tightly. "Samuel has never actually mistreated me. I''ve reflected on myself too. I made mistakes and was too quick to judge. I assumed that since he spoke that way about Sophia, he''d treat me the same way.


    "I shouldn''t have thought that. I''ve decided to give him a chance—and give myself one too.


    "Back when we were abroad, someone once offered him a very tempting deal. If he divorced me and married another woman, he''d gain a lot. However, he refused without hesitation. He even got hurt because of it.


    "He was injured for a long time back then. Still, he said that even if he died, he''d die as my husband.


    "Thinking back, if he had even slightly wavered and considered the offer, it would''ve bothered me a lot. So, I can understand where he wasing from."


    "Sierra, I asked Samantha to reflect—but I didn''t ask you to." Melissa''s heart ached for her. "To us, you''re always right."


    "Mom, that''s such double standards." Sierra couldn''t helpughing. After the bout ofughter she hugged both Melissa and Jonathan tightly. Finding you two has been the greatest blessing of my life. Our family will stay together from now on. We''ll live happily and joyfully every day.  s


    "I''ll have a good talk with Samuel and see how he handles things. If it works out, we might even bring our overseas business back to Dithoria. Of course, I''ll make sure that m fully prepared. I won''t let Samuel take advantage of me-not even a little.  s


    "Like Dad said, if you lose a man, you can find another. But if you lose your money, you lose your standing."


    Sierra joked with her parents, but deep down, she truly meant those words.