Chapter 115
The concern for her twin sister, the empathy for the Carter family, and her instincts as a renowned detective made Avery feel a surge of emotions. She fell into deep thought, wondering what had attracted Zilvia at the time of the incident. For a child like Zilvia, with high intelligence, strong learning abilities, and living in a big city, ordinary things wouldn’t attract her. Even if someone wanted to abduct her, typical methods would be ineffective. Avery thought about it carefully. As Zilvia’s twin sister, she pondered what might have caused her to leave on her own if she had been in Zilvia’s situation. Suddenly, a terrifying possibility flashed through her mind like a lightning bolt. Her pupils dilated suddenly, and her body involuntarily shivered. Then she shook her head, trying to dispel the terrifying thought.
Both of them were sitting in the dim light, and Wesley, lost in his own thoughts, didn’t notice Avery’s distress. After talking about Zilvia’s disappearance, he closed his eyes, continuously trying to manage his intense emotions. After a long while, he finally opened his eyes and said softly, "Avery, the reason I’m only now telling you about Zilvia and why we don’t have her photos displayed at home is that no one else in this house can truly face the fact of Zilvia’s disappearance, apart from me and your older brother. If your mom hears Zilvia’s name or has to talk about it with you, she will definitely cry and might even collapse." He sighed deeply. "You don’t know that your mom cried all night before the paternity test. The next day, when she went to the hospital, she had to wear a mask, which was soaked with her tears. Your grandparents can’t bear to hear Zilvia’s name either. Apart from having to come to Rosemont City for medical appointments, they never visit the city. During the New Year, apart from having a family meal together, they never celebrate."
Perhaps because of her extraordinary experiences and intelligence from a young age, Avery had always felt emotionally detached, viewing the world from an observer’s perspective. Yet this time, she felt a profound sense of empathy. "Dad, I promise you, I will find Zilvia!" She turned on the light and looked directly at her father, her gaze resolute. "I’m very smart and know many remarkable people. I will find her."
"Thank you, Avery," Wesley said gratefully. "Although we haven’t been able to find Zilvia all these years, we often think that no news... might be the best news. When you came back, we also thought that if you could return, perhaps Zilvia still has a chance of being found. Maybe what we need, and what she needs, is just the right timing..."
"Dad, I have a strong intuition," Avery said seriously. "It won’t be long before Zilvia will definitely appear." Wesley looked at her in surprise, unsure if her confidence came from intuition, hope, or if she genuinely had a way to find Zilvia. However, seeing Avery so determined and hopeful gave him confidence. He nodded and said, "Avery, I believe in you. But you’re still young, with your own dreams and pursuits. You don’t need to shoulder the responsibility of finding Zilvia alone."
"It’s alright, Dad," Avery smiled. "I never force myself to do anything."
"That’s good to hear." Wesley rubbed his face, discreetly wiping away a tear from the corner of his eye. "Talking about your grandpa, grandma, and Zilvia has lifted a weight off my heart. As for everything else, we can take our time to understand it later."
"Yes, thank you for sharing this with me, Dad," Avery said seriously. "I have many secrets too, but I’d like to tell you and the family about them later." Wesley was not surprised by this and only smiled gently. "What matters most is that you’re doing well. You can share your things whenever you feel like it. If it’s inconvenient, it’s okay if you never say them."