Chapter 516
His unwavering optimism only made the stone in Carol’s chest feel heavier, and outside the door, Camilla felt as if a vice was crushing her heart. The pain made it hard to breathe.
Her father had always been like this.
He always put everyone else first. No matter what horrors he endured, he maintained that bright, optimistic facade, as if no amount of tragedy could ever truly break him.
But Camilla wasn’t a little girl anymore. She no longer viewed this absolute selflessness as glorious or heroic. She just found it devastating.
Her fingers accidentally brushed the door, and the slight pressure pushed the unlatched wood open.
Camilla stood in the doorway, her gaze locking onto Tanner.
Tanner looked back at her.
A father and daughter, separated for over a decade, both saw the glaring, painful unfamiliarity in each other’s eyes.
Carol wiped her tears and stood up, forcing herself to sound composed as she made the introduction. “Tanner, this is Camilla. Your daughter. She’s all grown up now. The change is huge, isn’t it? You probably can’t even recognize her. It took me a second to recognize her at first, too p>
“I know my Camilla,” Tanner said softly. “How could I ever forget my own daughter? Come here, Camilla. Come to Dad p>
Those simple words shattered the dam holding back Camilla’s tears.
Her body trembled violently, but this time, her footsteps were remarkably steady. She didn’t need anyone to hold her up. Step by step, she walked over to his bedside.
Seeing this, Carol quietly slipped out the door with Lance, giving the father and daughter the space they desperately needed.
The door clicked shut.
Camilla stood right beside his bed.
In the heavy silence, Tanner was the first to let out a sigh. His voice was laced with profound guilt. “Camilla, I’m so sorry. For all these years, I’ve owed you and your mother an apology. It’s been incredibly hard on you, hasn’t it? It’s all my fault. I p>
“Does ‘sorry’ fix anything?” Camilla interrupted, her voice tight. “Dad, we never wanted an apology. More than anything, I just want you to get better and come see Mom. She’s been waiting for you for so long p>
All the agonizing yearning of the past decade twisted into a stiff, defensive tone.
Looking at the man who had been stripped of his arms and legs, she felt that no matter what she said, it was entirely inadequate.
She refused to break down again. She didn’t want him to see her as the fragile little girl she used to be. She forced herself to build a suit of armor, erecting a solid, unyielding wall to hold her emotions at bay.
At the mention of Elise, Tanner’s optimism faded. He sighed helplessly and looked at her. “Camilla, you’ve worked so hard taking care of your mother all these years. She has a fragile spirit, so it must have been exhausting for you. I’m useless. I forced you to carry all that pressure when you were just a kid. But I have one favor to ask you. Will you let me p>
“You don’t need to beg me for anything,” Camilla replied.
Seeing him again brought a storm of conflicting emotions—she couldn’t tell if she was more relieved or resentful. But he was still the father she had dreamed of finding for over ten years, and deep down, the unbreakable bond of love outweighed everything else.
Tanner spoke softly. “Camilla, I know your mother. If she sees me looking like this, the shock will probably kill her. So please, I’m begging you, don’t tell her about me just yet. Let me get my prosthetics fitted before I see her. Can you do that for me p>
“But fakes are fakes. She’ll notice eventually,” Camilla argued.
His fear was exactly her own fear.
Prosthetics could only hide the truth for so long. She didn’t think it was a flawless plan.
Tanner shook his head slightly. “Even if she finds out later, at least she’ll see me standing with arms and legs, not helpless like this, unable to even roll over without someone’s help. Camilla, please. Keep it a secret for now. Just give me the chance to wipe away her tears with my own hands. All these years, I p>
“I’ll keep it a secret,” Camilla cut in, her voice softening. “Mom has been sick for years, and she really can’t handle a massive shock. But Dad, once we go back, I need you to promise me you’ll drop the hero act. Just stay by Mom’s side from now on. Can you do that p>
Tanner gave a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. “There’s no hero left in me, Camilla. I’m practically useless now. There’s nothing I can do anymore. Being able to just stay by your side is all I could ever ask for. So it’s a promise. Until I’m fitted with prosthetics, don’t breathe a word to your mother p>
Looking into his pleading eyes, Camilla couldn’t find the heart to refuse.
Just as he said, prosthetics wouldn’t fool Elise forever, but at least he’d be able to hold her and wipe her tears. On the surface, he would look whole, and that would be infinitely easier for Elise to process.
Camilla nodded. “Then you focus on resting here. I’ll arrange for the best medical team and the most advanced prosthetics available p>
“Thank you for everything, Camilla,” Tanner murmured.
Camilla gave a stiff nod. Unable to hold back the tears burning in her eyes any longer, she quickly retreated from the room before they could fall.