Chapter 227: A hidden enemy in the family
The silence that followed was deafening. Anne sat frozen, her thoughts reeling. The hope of finally reconnecting with her biological family now mingled with unease. Doubts crept in, clouding the excitement that had sparkled in her just moments ago.
"So... you think I shouldn’t trust them?"
Paule shook his head. "That’s not what I’m saying. I saw the tears in that woman’s eyes. They weren’t fake. She truly missed her daughter. And Nathan...his desperation to find his sister didn’t feel like an act. I don’t think they are lying."
He paused, hesitating. "But something still feels off. There might be someone else in that family, a hidden enemy, maybe I’m not sure. Maybe I’m just being paranoid."
A heavy breath escaped his lips, his shoulders sagging. "It’s just... you’ve been through so much since you were a child. Patricia and Lorie treated you poorly, and I failed to protect you the way I should have.
Anne opened her mouth to speak, but he raised a hand to stop her.
"No—let me finish. Patricia and Lorie made your life miserable, and while I never treated you badly, I also didn’t protect you properly. I let too many things slide, and I’ve carried that guilt for years."
His eyes shimmered with emotion as he looked at her. "All I want is to see you happy. You deserve peace, love, and a good life. And if anything or anyone threatens that, I can’t help but be cautious. I just don’t want you to fall into trouble."
Anne’s heart ached at his words. She could feel his love for her.
"I have Augustine with me now," she said with quiet assurance. "He’ll always protect me. And as for my family, Papa, you are my family. You’ve always been, and that will never change, even if I find out who my biological parents are."
Paule’s eyes grew misty, emotion tightening in his chest.