Maxwell remained silent, knowing better than to interrupt my thoughts.


    I walked toward the carousel, running my hand along the painted wooden horses. "I''ll make it


    up to her. I''ll be the father she deserves."


    In my mind, I could see it clearly-Lily''s face lighting up as I lifted her onto my shoulders, her delightedughter as we rode the carousel together, her small hand clutching mine as we


    watched the spectacr light show I had arranged.


    "She''ll forgive me," I said with conviction. "Children are resilient. Once she sees how much effort I''ve put into this, she''ll understand that I truly care."


    Maxwell nodded, though something in his expression gave me pause. "I''m sure she will, Alpha King."


    I turned away, unwilling to acknowledge the doubt in his eyes. This grand gesture would work.


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    It had to. I couldn''t bear the alternative-that I had lost my daughter''s love forever through my own neglect.


    "Make sure the light show is perfect," I instructed. "It''s the centerpiece of the entire fair."


    "Of course, Alpha King. The technicians have been rehearsing for weeks."


    I checked my watch, impatient for evening to fall. Soon, very soon, Lily would see what I had created for her. And then, perhaps, she would call me "Dad" again with love instead of disappointment.


    The weight of my failure as a father pressed down on me, but I squared my shoulders against it. I would make this right. I had to.


    "She''lle," I said firmly. "Once she sees this, she''lle."


    Maxwell''s silence spoke volumes, but I chose to ignore it. I had to believe that it wasn''t toote to be the father Lily needed me to be.


    To ensure Lily would see my message, I had rented every digital billboard and advertising space in Shadow Creek. A video montage yed continuously across the city-Lily''s drawings animated to life, interspersed with images of me at the fair, waiting for her.


    "Your father loves Lily too!" the message proimed in bold letters. "I''m sorry I wasn''t there


    before. Please give me another chance."


    Standing before one of the massive screens in the city center, I watched the message y, hoping it would reach my daughter''s eyes.


    "Do you think she''ll see it?" Maxwell asked quietly.


    "She has to," I replied, my voice tight with emotion. "I''ve made sure it''s impossible to miss."


    I pulled out my phone and blocked all iing calls except for Olivia''s number and any


    unknown numbers that might be Lily calling from a friend''s phone.


    "She''ll call," I said with forced confidence. "When she sees how much effort I''ve put into this,


    she''ll want to see me."


    Hours passed as I waited at the fair, my phone clutched in my hand. The sun began to set,


    casting long shadows across the empty rides and game booths. Still, my phone remained


    silent.


    Frustration built within me. Why hadn''t Lily called? The message was everywhere-she must have seen it by now.


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    < Chapter 97: Reunion and Rev


    +15 Points?


    "Perhaps Ms. Winters is preventing her from contacting you," Maxwell suggested hesitantly.


    My jaw clenched. Of course. Olivia was keeping Lily from me, just as she had been doing for


    months.


    "She has no right," I growled, anger recing disappointment. "I''ve shown I''m willing to make amends. I''ve built an entire amusement park for our daughter!"


    I paced the empty fairgrounds, my patience wearing thin. I had done everything possible to demonstrate mymitment to being a better father. What more could Olivia want from me?


    "Call Ms. Winters," I ordered Maxwell. "Tell her I demand to speak with Lily immediately."


    Maxwell nodded and stepped away to make the call. I continued pacing, my frustration


    mounting with each passing minute.


    When Maxwell returned, his expression was unreadable. "Ms. Winters didn''t answer, Alpha


    King. I left a message requesting she contact you urgently."


    I snatched my phone from my pocket and dialed Olivia''s number myself. To my surprise, she


    answered on the second ring.


    "Olivia," I began without preamble, "this has gone on long enough. I''ve built an entire amusement park for Lily. I''ve apologized publicly. What more do you want from me?"


    “Nothing,” she replied, her voice eerily calm.


    "Then stop keeping her from me!" I demanded. "Let me speak to our daughter!"


    There was a pause, then Olivia''s voice came again, still unnervingly steady. "You want to see


    Lily? Fine. You can see her."


    Her immediate acquiescence caught me off guard. "What?"


    "I said you can see her," Olivia repeated. "I won''t stop you anymore."


    Before I could respond, she ended the call, leaving me staring at my phone in confusion.


    "She agreed?" Maxwell asked, clearly as surprised as I was.


    "Yes," I said slowly, trying to make sense of Olivia''s sudden change of heart. "She said I can


    see Lily,"


    A weight lifted from my shoulders. Finally, after months of separation, I would see my daughter again. I would hold her, apologize to her in person, show her how much I truly cared.


    "Let''s go," I told Maxwell, already striding toward the car. "I need to see my daughter."


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    +15 Points >


    I ended the call before Ethan could question me further. Turning to Bernard Sheppard, who had


    just entered the room to check on Matriarch Evelyn, I spoke quietly to avoid waking the sleeping matriarch.


    "Mr. Sheppard, please watch over Grandmother. I need to meet Ethan."


    The elderly butler nodded, his eyes kind but concerned. "Of course, Ms. Winters. Will you be


    alright?"


    I managed a small, bitter smile. "It''s time Ethan learned the truth about our


    daughter."


    With onest nce at Matriarch Evelyn''s peaceful face, I left the medical den.