CHAPTER 23

He didn't force me anyway.

I just don't want to accept anything from him because I'm not used to it.

He didn't really buy me anything before. And all the things I used to have, they were all gifts to me from my grandparents.

Fritz was the only one they always took with them to the mall to go shopping while I was at home waiting for them to come home and have something for me.

But that never happened.

"How have you been for the past few years? I want you to answer me honestly," dad said.

I didn't bother looking at him. I kept my eyes on the children playing happily not far from me while my head was leaning on the rope chain of the swing.

"To be honest? I wasn't doing fine for the first, second and third years since you left us. My life became more and more hell," I answered lifelessly.

He became silent for a while.

"I'm sorry, we didn't have any other option but to leave you and Fritz with your aunt and uncle," he sounded slightly regretful.

"They just made my life a living hell. They