308 You’re Worth It
Selma Payne’s POV:
Benson didn’t have any siblings, and the Walton Family was even more ashamed to return to their Alpha position. In the end, Mr. Warton suggested with a bitter smile, “Your Majesty, please give the order for a public election. Benson is a good-for-nothing, and as his father, I don’t have the face to take over, so we should choose a new Alpha.”
My father agreed.
The Walton couple hurriedly took their leave. This family reunion also seemed out of place because of my grudge against Benson. Facing my terrified adoptive parents, I consoled them, “Can you and Rhode stay in the palace for a while? I’ve been planning to go back to the Shadow Pack to visit my family. After I finish my work here, I think we can go back together.”
Of course, my adoptive parents were happy, but they couldn’t show it because of my biological parents’ presence.
My biological mother said considerately, “There’s no need to have any qualms. In fact, His Majesty and I also support Selma in returning to the Shadow Pack for a visit. After all, that’s where she grew up for eighteen years. Her feelings for that place are extraordinary.”
Surprisingly, the two mothers got along very well. My adoptive mother was easy to get close to, and my biological mother also had the style of a middle-aged woman who was very familiar with others. Soon, the two of them were happy and harmonious. In contrast, my adoptive and biological father’s relationship was much more formal. Although there was no estrangement between the two, they could not be intimate.
I didn’t dwell much on this. As long as there were no conflicts between the two sides, they could get along however they wanted. There was no need for them to force a smile for me.
As if there was no conflict, we happily spent the entire morning together. My adoptive parents insisted on going back to the hotel after lunch.
“We still have luggage to pack. Besides, although Benson is a wimp, The Walton couple are my friends who have gone through life and death with me. There are some things I have to tell them.” My adoptive father had aged ten years at the mention of this.
“Selma, I’m very sorry. As your parents, we should have discovered all that you’ve suffered a long time ago, but the truth is that we didn’t do anything. We let you fight against malice and bullying alone. I’m such a… oh Moon Goddess, what have I been doing before?”
Facing my tearful adoptive parents, I felt like a knife was cutting my heart. I immediately comforted them that this was not their fault.
“You’re also victims of deception. Don’t blame yourself for this.” I sobbed as I wiped their tears. “The past is the past. There’s no point dwelling on it. I’ve returned to your side, and we’ll have a happy future, won’t we?”
Before I left, the unusually silent Rhode suddenly told me, “I’m sorry, Selma. It was my negligence that indulged Benson’s every move.
I knew he had gone to a dead end, so I smiled and nudged him, just like how we played around at the Shadow Pack when we were young.
f𝙧𝒆𝚎𝘸e𝚋𝓷o𝘷𝚎𝒍. co𝑚
“You know that I’ve never blamed you, Rhode. On the contrary, if you didn’t act as my haven, I don’t know if I could’ve persisted in the bullying for so long. So, don’t look like you’re about to cry. Smile and take good care of your parents, okay?”
Rhode stared blankly for a moment before smiling back at me. With red-rimmed eyes, he said, “Alright.”
After the chaotic morning ended, I returned to my idle state in the afternoon.
As usual, Jordin and Emma went on leave three days after I got married. Dorothy hid in the Sorcery Research Institute to avoid disturbing Aldrich and me. I felt quite empty without the girls chattering around me.
However, this emptiness lasted only a few minutes before it dissipated with Aldrich’s clingy dog-like attacks.
We fooled around the entire afternoon and had dinner on the bed.
As I munched on the caramelized baguette, I couldn’t help but laugh when I thought of the expressions on my face when I was with my adoptive parents this morning.
Pouring me a cup of tea, Aldrich said, “Today is indeed a day worth being happy about, but if you must be distracted when you’re with me, then I’ll be angry even if it’s the couple that I respect.”
“Be serious.” I gave him a push. “What was that? They’re my parents!”
We started pushing each other around like primary school students. After ending this childish game, I suddenly felt myriad emotions as I lay in Aldrich’s arms.
“At this moment, I feel my life is already complete.”
“What do you mean?”
“My true love is by my side, my two sets of parents are healthy and safe, my close friends are each other’s confidants, and my respected seniors and teachers have led me to this place. I don’t know what I had done in my previous life to be able to obtain so many precious friendships in this life.”
“It has nothing to do with your previous life. The answer to everything is that you are worth it.”
“Really?”
“It’s true.”
“You’re lying to me.”
“I swear that everything comes from my heart. Because my lover is so kind, intelligent, beautiful, and powerful. So isn’t it natural for the world to favor her?”
Was I loved by the world?
I’d always been a person without a sense of security. I never asked anyone if they liked me because I was afraid of getting an answer I didn’t want.
However, if I were to ask myself, was I loved by the world?
I didn’t think I cared about the answer.
I’d already received so much love from my lover, family, and friends. What more could I want?
