Zeke took in a deep breath. “Standby in position.”
Tavian's eyes lit up like stars in the sky as tears poured out his eyes.
The meaning Zeke had tried to convey with that phrase was clear enough.
Tavian's original military position had been restored, and he was to wait for his commander's order.
He had been waiting to hear that phrase for a long time.
Standing up quickly, he gave a proper military salute. “Yes, Sir!”
Zeke then left.
Both Grayson and Lenard trotted toward Tavian. “You must help us, Mr. Tavian! You must! I still have young and old
family members to take care of! If I'm thrown into jail, my family will suffer! I can't go to jail, Mr. Tavian. Please be
merciful. We're willing to do anything for you two!”
Tavian stared at the two again and started beating them. “You two expect to leave scot-free after pissing off Zeke?
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtGo to hell! You two should feel lucky to be able to keep your lives!”
When Zeke returned to his home and opened the door, the fragrance of food rushed into his nose.
He changed into his slippers and entered the kitchen.
Lacey was cooking with sweat all over her head. “You're back so soon? Have a seat. The food will be ready soon.”
“Okay!” With a smile, he headed to the dining table.
At the table, Nelly was already sleeping with a picture in her hand.
He picked it up and looked at it.
It was a crude but simple drawing of a tall man and a soft woman. Both of them were holding a cute girl's hands as
they stood next to the sea, enjoying the breeze.
The man's shirt and the woman's long hair fluttered in the wind, and the girl's body, too, gently swayed in the
breeze.
It was a simple drawing, yet it touched him. So that's what a perfect world is like in Nelly's mind. She wants the
company of her parents. It makes me feel ashamed that I couldn't fulfill even this little wish of hers.
Zeke carefully lifted Nelly and stared at her innocent face before kissing her on the forehead.
Unexpectedly, that caused the girl to wake up.
She carefully opened her eyes and looked around in a daze. Ultimately, her gaze settled on his face.
Initially, there was shock on her face as disbelief filled her eyes.
When she returned to her senses, her eyes sparkled with excitement and joy. “Daddy! You're back, Daddy! I miss
you so much.”
Listening to her voice made Zeke's heart ache.
“Tell me, Nelly. Which part of you misses me?” He held Nelly tighter.
Nelly pointed at her heart. “My heart misses you.”
That answer surprised Zeke because she would always answer him with, “My stomach misses you.”
And yet, she was saying her heart missed him.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWhat did that mean?
It meant Nelly had grown up and understood things better.
In the future, when she said her head was missing her father, it would mean she had truly grown up.
He regretted not being by Nelly's side as she grew up. I need to stay by Nelly's side more often in the future.
Suddenly, the girl recalled something and quickly showed him the picture in her hand. “Look at this, Daddy. This is
the holiday present I'm giving to you.”
Holiday present? Zeke was slightly stunned. “What holiday present?”
“Today is Father's Day. Happy Father's Day, Daddy.”
“I see! Thank you, Nelly.” Zeke smiled.
That was his first real Father's Day.
The girl continued to show off her picture to him. “Look, this is you, Daddy. You look so cool when you wear a
military outfit. This is Mommy. She's beautiful when she's wearing a dress. This is me holding you and Mommy's
hands. I'm the happiest girl in the world. Daddy, this is a super-duper big beach. I heard there is seafood there.
Hopefully, one day, you'll take me and Mommy there to gather seafood.”