Josie’s gaze halted, and she couldn’t take another step forward. The familiar scent of sandalwood filled the air. She wondered why it felt so familiar.
It was Dexter. It was really him. Tears welled up in Josie’s eyes involuntarily. She had imagined their reunion hundreds, even thousands of times.
But who would have thought it would turn out like this…
“Josie, you’ve finally arrived…” a slightly hoarse voice echoed. Even though he had his back to her, he seemed certain that she was the one who had arrived.
Josie’s hands silently clenched together at her sides. She struggled to control her emotions and simply asked, “Where is Grape? Where have you taken her?”
Dexter turned around, their eyes meeting. Even though they were only a few dozen meters apart, it felt as if there was an insurmountable chasm between them.
Two years had passed…
Some things seemed to have changed, while others remained the same.
“Grape… Who?” Dexter found his voice again, staring at her in bewilderment as he asked straightforwardly. Although he had guessed the answer, he still longed for confirmation from her.
“Grape is my daughter. She has nothing to do with you,” Josie denied directly. Lying was unbearable, but she remained steadfast in her resolve.
Little did she know, her words struck him like a silent thunderbolt, causing a sharp pain in the left side of Dexter’s chest.
“Is that true?” Dexter’s voice choked up a bit as he asked, his gaze seeming distant. His memory took him back to two hours ago…
“Mr. Russell, aren’t you going over?” Larry noticed Dexter staring blankly at Grape not far away and couldn’t help but remind him.
Dexter was slightly taken aback.
He could feel the erratic rhythm of his own heartbeat, a mix of apprehension and anticipation. “Do you think she…” He paused. Could she really be… our daughter?
Dexter didn’t continue speaking.
Larry, however, understood his thoughts. He glanced at Grape, then said, “Mr. Russell, you already have the answer in your heart, don’t you?”
Dexter walked up to Grape.
At that moment, she was methodically stacking blocks, her focused expression bearing a striking resemblance to Dexter.
“Grape?”
He gently called out to her.
He was afraid of disturbing her. Upon hearing that, Grape lifted her gaze. The moment she saw Dexter, a hint of surprise and delight emerged in her eyes. “Mr. Russell, how come you’re here?”
Her soft, mellow voice caused an involuntary tremor in Dexter’s heart. A surge of kinship, born of shared blood, welled up within him. For a moment, it left the man somewhat at a loss.
“Grape, don’t call me Mr. Russell. I’m your daddy.”
“Daddy?”
Grape paused in whatever she was doing. Her round, big eyes brightened up, clearly revealing a look of delight.
Her little mouth moved as she spoke. “Mr. Russell, have you accepted my suggestion? Are you willing to be my daddy?”
Dexter gently shook his head, reaching out to pat her little head. The small girl was incredibly adorable, as if she could melt his entire heart. “I’m not just acting as your daddy, I… I am your daddy.”
Grape wore a confused expression. She was clearly somewhat skeptical, even though she was quite fond of the handsome man before her.
Just as she hesitated, Dexter pulled out a wallet from the left pocket of his jacket. Inside, there was a slightly yellowed photograph.
“This… is a photo of your mommy and my marriage certificate,” he said, referring to one of the few pictures he had found of him and her mother together.
Over the past two years, he had carefully preserved it, taking it with him wherever he went.
