The girl cried without a sound or sobs. Only her small, fragile fists were clenched tightly, as if trying to hide the depth of her sorrow and how broken she truly was. Seeing Lana in such a state, Ratri couldn’t help but cry as well. She pulled the helpless girl into her arms, who had no strength to resist.

“How cruel of us to take away this child’s happiness,” she thought, gently stroking the girl’s head with pity and a sudden wave of affection that disturbed her heart.

Julian, feeling just as guilty, looked at the poor little girl, his wife, and their son. He was the one driving that night, and thus, he bore the responsibility for the accident that took away the lives of this child’s parents. If only he could turn back time, he wished that the accident caused by his negligence had never happened.

He wanted to take responsibility and ease the guilt, but how? Not long after the girl’s tears subsided, two police officers arrived to explain the chronology of the accident and the driver who had hit her parents.

Julian’s heart pounded uneasily as the girl looked at each of them one by one upon learning that it was his car that had hit her parents. He didn’t want to accept the fact that he would be blamed for someone’s death.

More than anything, he wasn’t ready to receive the hatred of the little girl who, all this time, had only shed tears while forcing herself to remain strong.

“Even though I was left alone… even though I’m devastated…”

The girl struggled to finish her sentence. Her small hands trembled again as they clenched tightly. Her tears flowed once more, as if ready to fall endlessly.

“I want them to rest in peace. I want to believe that their death was a destiny already written.” Just like the tears falling from her eyes, the words that came from her lips struck deeply in a completely different way.

“My mom and dad wanted me to be someone who could forgive. Besides… if Uncle Julian were to be taken away, someone else would feel the same pain I do. My parents were very kind people. They would definitely forgive and know that Mr. Julian isn’t a bad person.”

Except for the two police officers, everyone in the room was crying. Touched by how such a young girl could be so kind and sincere in forgiving. Ratri wiped away her tears and blew her nose with the palm of her hand.

“Sweetheart… we will never forget your kindness. We swear it,” Ratri said softly. Julian buried his head in both his hands. His knees bent, and his body hunched over. The burden of guilt remained, but he felt an inappropriate sense of relief—so much so that he felt ashamed.

But as a human being, he was grateful and happy because it meant he could stay with his wife and son. After quite some time of drowning in mixed emotions, he finally straightened his back and lifted his head. He wanted to say the most important thing.

“Thank you. I promise I will repay this kindness. I’ll be a good father because of the kindness you’ve shown me.”

Lana gave a faint smile in response. She said nothing more after that, only thanked the two police officers who soon left. The Atmaja family left her alone so she could rest in peace.

She covered her face, laughing bitterly at herself with a mocking tone. Just like in a novel, she had been angry and hated the male lead’s family. If the story followed the novel, her fate would only grow more miserable even until the end. She had once hated the Atmaja family. Hated Sean. She had taken advantage of the fact that Sean’s parents had caused her parents’ death, and used Sean’s guilt to fulfill her own desires. Eventually, Sean began to build up resentment toward her, little by little.

Lana spent two days in the hospital. The Atmaja couple took turns staying with her. They brought fruits, food, even books. They treated her like a beloved daughter, spoiled and cared for. Perhaps the couple wanted to ease their guilt and slowly atone for their sin.

On the third day, Lana was able to welcome them with a smile. The pain of loss began to fade—either from acceptance or because she had begun to adapt to the wound.

“Sweetheart, Uncle has something that needs your approval,” Mr. Atmaja began the conversation. Seeing Lana blink in confusion, unsure what he meant, he continued right away.

“Would you like to become our daughter? My wife and I will take care of you and raise you as if you were our own child. We’ll make sure you never lack anything in the future.”

The moment when she would live in the same house as the male lead was coming. The advantage of joining the male lead’s family was that she wouldn’t have to worry or do anything.

But… was that really good for her? She hated them, yet deep down she also enjoyed the benefits and could use the male lead’s guilt for her own gain. If she thought about it… maybe it wasn’t so bad.

But she felt ashamed. Her parents had died, and now she was living with their killers, just because she was a side character in a novel. Did the novel really think she couldn’t live without the mercy and help of the male lead and his family?

“I think I still have hands and feet to rely on myself, Uncle. My late father and mother were hard-working people. They showed me with their actions. Now it’s my turn to follow the example I’ve always seen.

“But maybe… later I’ll ask for your help once in a while. You’ll help me, right, Uncle?”

Julian placed his hand on Lana’s head and patted her gently. He smiled. There was a child in front of him who was so strong and mature, even though she was just in middle school. According to neighbors who lived near the girl’s house, she was indeed a little different from other children. Not very cheerful, not easy to get along with.

Maybe it was because her emotional intelligence had developed faster, leaving other kids unable to keep up.

“Of course. Uncle will help as best as I can.”

And so, after that conversation, Julian helped her return home from the hospital. When they arrived, two unfamiliar people greeted them in the front yard. Lana looked at them in confusion. She had no family left and no idea who they were.

“Excuse me… who are you? Do you have business with my parents?” Lana asked first, her voice puzzled.

Julian placed a hand on her shoulder to ask her to listen.

“This is Audy and Herman. I hired them specifically to take care of you and look after you, since you’ll be living alone,” Julian explained.

Lana furrowed her brows. Her expression didn’t look too pleased. Why did the male lead’s father bring strangers to my house without asking my permission first?