MasukDanielle's POV"I lied," I replied, looking at Robert coldly."I have a mom, a dad, and an older brother. I grew up surrounded by my family's love. During those four years in college, I had come back alone to Ravenor to study. When I met you in my junior year and learned that you were an orphan, I deliberately avoided talking about my parents because I didn't want to hurt your feelings."You were the one who assumed I had no family, just like you. Later, I chose you over my family, so I never bothered correcting the misunderstanding because I was afraid you'd feel burdened."So, I gave up a lot for you, Robert. Especially the people who truly loved me. And I deeply regret wasting ten years that I could've spent with them."Just as I finished speaking, Ross stepped forward and took my hand. I looked up at him and gave him a reassuring glance.Robert just stood there, staring blankly at us, the light in his eyes fading little by little. This time, he didn't try to stop me.As Ross
Danielle's POV"At the end of the day, Robert, you just don't trust me," I said, looking at Robert with sadness."You even convinced yourself that all the resources and opportunities I'd secured for you over the years were just my way of proving you couldn't make it without me, right?"And that was why you resorted to these methods. You wanted to regain the upper hand in our relationship and reclaim your so-called pride as a man."As I spoke, I watched his face grow increasingly pale, and I knew I had hit the mark.That was why he'd said that day, "Even without your help, Danielle, I can still handle the situation just fine!"Long before that, there had always been whispers that he'd only had access to the projects and opportunities he had because of me. I'd wanted to confront those rumors back then, but he had stopped me.He told me he didn't care, and I'd believed him. I never noticed the flash of dark resentment in his eyes."Dani, I was pathetic. Especially after I found ou
Danielle's POV"And the reason we didn't contact you all these years…" Joshua continued. "...was because we knew you wanted to prove to us that you could be happy. We were willing to wait for you to complete this life lesson on your own, so you could stand proudly before us again.""But…" I said, lowering my head in shame. "I did a terrible job.""That's okay."He looked at me with nothing but warmth in his eyes."Since our Dani's stubborn streak of needing to learn things the hard way was more or less a product of us spoiling her, then we, as her family, will be her safety net. After all, she was welcomed into the world with all of our love and joy, so we will always stand by her willingly."Besides, it's been proven that our Dani is actually very impressive. Except for her poor taste in men, she's got excellent instincts when it comes to her career. Without anyone helping her, she's managed to build everything from scratch and carve out her own path."That's a lot more impress
Danielle's POVThe next second, Joshua's eyes reddened, and he pulled me into a tight embrace."You get bullied out there, and you don't even know to come back home?"His tone carried both reproach and heartache, and I couldn't help the stinging in my nose either."I know now.""Then let's go home now," Joshua said, patting my head."But…" I hesitated, pointing at myself. "I'm worried Mom and Dad will worry if I go back looking like this.""Why do you think I came?"Joshua pulled up the trending topics on his phone and handed it to me."Someone leaked a video of you being attacked by those fans. It's already the number one hashtag. Mom and Dad were bound to see it sooner or later."I looked at the screen in surprise. I had no idea who leaked it, but from the footage, even I found myself looking utterly pitiful. Even the comments were filled with people feeling sorry for me.Still, I had never wanted my pain to be put on public display. Just as the thought crossed my mind, Ro
Danielle's POV"I can't speak for your parents or your brother, but no matter what choices you've made, the fact that they love you has never been in doubt," Ross said."And as for me, I've never once been disappointed in you. I didn't contact you because… I was holding myself back."He looked at me while enunciating each word clearly, and his eyes were filled with a level of seriousness I'd never seen before.My heart inadvertently skipped a beat. I turned my head slightly, breaking away from his gaze.It had been almost eight years since we had last seen each other, and Ross seemed somewhat different from how I remembered him.A low chuckle sounded next to my ear as he stood up."Alright, don't worry about anything and just stay here for now. If you need anything, just tell the butler. I should get going.""Aren't you staying here?" I asked reflexively.Ross' eyebrows shot up as he looked at me in surprise. "You want me to stay?"Catching the teasing in his voice, I forced
Danielle's POVEven though Ross and I hadn't seen each other in seven years, there wasn't a single shred of awkwardness between us.Still, we weren't little kids anymore, so whenever the adults teased us again, we'd shyly pull away from each other.But perhaps it was precisely because we'd grown up together that I started developing a different kind of affection for Ross in the days we spent by each other's side, bickering and laughing together.However, right after we graduated from high school, those feelings were brutally crushed in their infancy by Ross himself.I still remember that sunny afternoon. I went to find him with a box of homemade chocolates, only to overhear him talking to one of his good friends."Messer… Do you really not like her?""I don't. Besides, you already know who I like, don't you?"At that moment, I felt both embarrassed and sad. Perhaps out of a desire to escape, I broke my promise and didn't apply to the same college as Ross.Except for those seve







