Chapter 5

My heart sank, knowing that I couldn't hide this anymore. I told my foster father about the abusive relationship between Daniel and me. But when I saw his weary expression, I swallowed the part about Daniel's revenge. My foster father's eyes reddened with fury when he heard about everything. "That ungrateful brat! How could he lay a hand on his own sister?" Then, he looked at me with a complicated expression. "Miranda, tell me. What are you planning to do now?" "I've decided to go abroad and build up my career. From now on, I'll wish Daniel and Sheryl well." Across from me, my foster father let out a long sigh of relief. His voice trembled as he said, "I'm the one who owes your family. All these years, I never dared to tell you that your father wasn't even supposed to be on that flight. It was because I asked him to look after Julia on her trip for treatment that he changed his ticket…" At that moment, I finally understood. My father had boarded that plane with Julia Canning, Daniel's mother, only because he was helping a friend. I couldn't help but feel that the truth was so incredibly absurd. So, my father hadn't been trying to elope with Julia. Instead, he was helping Julia at my foster father's behest. And yet, after his act of kindness, all he got in return was the destruction of his family. Even now, his only daughter was a target of revenge. If my father hadn't agreed to that favor, he wouldn't have died. He wouldn't have been accused of eloping with another man's wife, condemned until his last breath. My mother wouldn't have died from grief and betrayal, and I wouldn't have become an orphan. All these years, no matter how well my foster father treated me, I had carried guilt toward the Denning family. I was grateful for their kindness and worked tirelessly to atone for my father's supposed sins. I always had to tread carefully, convinced I didn't deserve anything good. I covered my face as tears streamed down silently. My foster father gently wiped them away. He placed several contracts in front of me as he spoke with a guilt-ridden tone. "Miranda, I've wronged you and your mother, and I even caused your father's death. These are the companies your father left behind. I'm returning them to you now. "And these are half of the shares the Denning family owns. Take it as compensation from me. Miranda, no matter what happens, you will always be the Denning family's little princess." I could no longer hold back as I threw myself into his arms, sobbing. He hadn't meant for any of this to happen. All these years, he had truly loved me as if I were his own daughter. No matter what Daniel had done to me, I didn't want to cause my foster father more pain. After I cried for a long time, he asked what I planned to do next. Then, he said softly, "Miranda, if you can't stand it, I'll send Daniel to some remote overseas country. You don't have to leave home and suffer somewhere far away." I couldn't help but laugh through my tears. I knew he was genuinely worried that I'd be mistreated out there, but I also knew that Daniel was his biological son. He loved me, but he loved Daniel, too. I didn't want him to have to choose between us. So, the best choice was for me to leave. I smiled and said, "Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm going out to make my own path. I don't want to hide in this house forever as a princess. I want to become a queen on my own." He stroked my hair tenderly. "Alright, you've always known what you want. I'll support you. Don't worry, I won't let that brat bother you again before you leave the country." Dad hired two strong female bodyguards to stay by my side around the clock, ensuring that Daniel never had any chance to get close to me. A few times, I caught Daniel signaling me with his eyes to send them away, but I pretended not to notice. The days passed peacefully until his wedding day. Somehow, Daniel managed to lure the bodyguards away. Then, he entered my room with a wedding dress in his arms. "Miranda, hurry up and change. I'll take you away. You'll replace Sheryl at the ceremony." He stepped forward to help me change. As I backed away, I nearly tripped over my suitcase. "What's this, Miranda? Are you planning on running away from home with me?" Daniel picked up the suitcase I had knocked over with a dark look on his face. Knowing I was about to leave anyway, I didn't lie. I said calmly, "Yes, Daniel, I'm going abroad. Congratulations on your wedding. I won't be coming back anymore." Daniel looked at me for a long time before he started to laugh. "Miranda, if you act too spoiled, even I will get angry. You're upset because Sheryl's my girlfriend, and I'm marrying her, aren't you? I told you she's just playing a role. After the wedding, I'll make our relationship public." Even now, he was still acting. I looked into his eyes, and they seemed to be filled with such convincing affection. If I hadn't already known the truth, I might have believed he really cared about our future. I stayed silent until I heard footsteps outside. The bodyguards were returning. Daniel shoved the wedding dress into my arms and said hurriedly, "Once you've changed, go outside and take the yellow cab. It'll drive you straight to the wedding venue." After saying that, Daniel rushed out. But what he didn't know was that I would never attend the wedding. After he left, I placed the wedding dress beside the pile of old things. Then, pulling my suitcase behind me, I walked out the door without any hesitation. I thought, "Daniel, I won't wait for you anymore. "The world is vast, so let's never meet again."