Chapter 1792:


    “Mommy,” Adide said, her eyes shining. “Can we go somewhere fun with Alban someday?”


    Alban’s eyes slid toward Gillian, a trace of amusement flickering across his expression. Both he and Adide fixed their attention on her, watching closely.


    Gillian froze, unsure what to say. Emotions churned inside her, and she remained silent.


    “Mommy?” Adide’s voice rang out, crisp and innocent.


    Gillian’s mind drifted to the surgery awaiting her and the terrifying truth that there was no certainty she would survive it. Even with King’s near-wless record, fate could still single her out as the unfortunate anomaly.


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    After weighing it again and again, she resolved that before going under the knife, she wanted to leave her daughter with onest moment of joy.


    “Okay.” Gillian gave her answer with a faint smile, her features softening into gentle warmth.


    The instant her mother agreed, Adide’s face lit up brilliantly, delight spilling through every inch of her small frame.


    Alban, meanwhile, was momentarily stunned — he hadn’t anticipated her consent. He had prepared himself for rejection, convinced she would react with anger. After all, hadn’t she acted as though she couldn’t bear his presence? Otherwise, why would she still refuse to add him on the chat app?


    He had even intended to bring it up again that day, right there in the hospital room, hoping atst to make it onto her contacts list. In the end, he restrained himself, deciding it was wiser not to press her. He worried that if he unsettled Gillian, it might cost him any chance of seeing her again.


    It wasn’t that Christina would bar him from visiting, but if Gillian herself shut the door, there would be little he could do. After much consideration, he decided that growing closer through Adide was the least risky path. Once he took them both home, he would devote the rest of his life to making amends, ensuring they would never suffer again.


    Gillian remained reserved in the room, keeping to herself, nearly disappearing into the background as she observed Alban with their child. Whenever Adide addressed her, she answered softly.


    Watching her daughter’s happiness and witnessing Alban’s unexpectedly considerate behavior, she began to question whether keeping them apart had been a mistake. Finding no rity within herself, she stayed torn, resolving only to move forward one step at a time.


    Days slipped away, and two weeks vanished in what felt like an instant. During that time, Alban’s persistence had brought him noticeably closer to his daughter. At first, Adide had been distant, not particrly attached, but now she held onto him with open affection.


    Alban had also finally seeded in adding Gillian on the chat app, though he had used Adide’s name as his excuse to make it happen. Despite that, nothing had truly changed between them. Their interactions remained courteous yet distant.


    Gillian stayed cautious around him, especially when he was with Adide — a trace of unease always crossed her face at those moments. He couldn’t read her thoughts. Even after assuring her he would never seek custody against her wishes, her anxiety lingered.


    After settling Adide into sleep, Alban turned his calm gaze toward Gillian. The instant she felt his eyes on her, she reflexively avoided his stare, lowering her head.


    Somewhere along the way, something unsettling had taken root — Gillian had begun to feel a fragile dependence on Alban, and it frightened her.


    Alban moved toward her in silence. When she started to retreat as usual, he stopped her this time, reaching out to grasp her wrist.


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