Chapter 106

~Athena

We cried in each other's arms for a few minutes before he gradually released me, staring into my eyes with love. All my life, I had craved for my stepfather to look at me this way or even hug me tightly as my father did, but to no avail.

So this is what fatherly love feels like? Like a flowing stream whose water never runs dry, my eyes didn't stop producing fresh tears.

"My baby girl," he cupped my face in his hands as a smile crept onto his sullen face.

Seeing my fresh tears, he pulled me in for another hug, rubbing my back affectionately. "It's okay, Daddy is here now."

Hearing those words brought so much solace and peace to my heart, causing me to tighten my grip around him as I nodded in response, my tears smearing his shirt.

When he was sure I was finally okay, he released me from his embrace but didn't let go of my hand as he led me to a chair and set me down on it. I watched him pull out another chair, which he placed in front of me before sitting down.

I studied his fa