Usually, Raphael would indulge her every desire.

But not this time.

Raphael explained, “If you want to take Jarvis home, you'll need to ask Elissa. She's his mom."

Leyla stopped talking.

She looked at him and finally said slowly, "Dad, you really don't have much say in our house!"

"Well, I do need to listen to Elissa," he said with a nod.

Leyla said, “Dylan always listens to Mom too. He's really scared of her. He does whatever she wants, yet Mom still pays him no mind."

He was aware of the issues between Dylan and Olivia.

He preferred to stay out of it.

He hugged Leyla and asked, "Do you like Dylan?"

She replied honestly, “Yes, I do! But I love you too, daddy.”

To prove her sincerity, she Lifted her head and gave him a kiss on the chin. His heart softened. The thought of her growing up and getting married someday filled him with sadness.

Tears began to form in his eyes.

Suddenly, Leyla presented him with a candy box. "Mom said this is for you."

Raphael was stunned.

Inside the small pink tin box were seven or eight candies, a check, and a letter.

The check was for 5Q@ million.

He unfolded the letter and read it. It was from Olivia. She stated, "I sold the emerald bracelet for 5@ million. The money is for you and Leyla. Leyla doesn't need the bracelet right now. But you could use the money. One day, you might buy her a new one."

It was simple sentences without any emotion.

Raphael got the message.

She had come to help because she'd heard about his struggles from her parents. She thought he was living poorly now. True, he was in a tough spot, even accepting help from Mark.

But Olivia also knew how proud he was.

He wouldn't take her money directly, so she sold the dowry he'd given to Leyla. She said that it belonged to both him and Leyla.

Deep down, she still held a place for him. Though they had parted ways, their shared history-whether joyful or painful-was indelible and forever imprinted in their minds.