Thinking of that, Julie sighed inwardly.

In fact, it was natural for Bill to have an affinity for Vivian, since Vivian had been raised in their home since she was a baby.

What Julie couldn't understand was, why was she so fond of Maria and even think of her as her own daughter when Maria had only recently entered her life?

“Ahem!”

A sudden cough from Mathias snapped Julie back to reality, and her eyes widened in worry as she looked at his old and frail face.

“What's the matter, Dad?" Her voice trembled as she spoke.

Mathias waved his feeble hand and said, “Don't you worry. I'm reaching the end of my life, but not today."

Julie could tell from her father's complacency that he was indeed fine, but only for now.

However, a terrible sorrow washed over her.

She felt unshakeable regret over what she had in the past twenty years. She should have returned to Broome to ask for her father's forgiveness as soon as her marriage had been settled.

Instead, she had moved to Sheffield and cut off all contact with her family. This was the first time she was seeing her father after all those years, but it was already too late for her to be a filial daughter now.

“Julie, when will you go home?" Mathias asked in a hoarse voice. Squatting in front of her father, Julie raised her head and met his eyes.

There was clear expectation in the old man's turbid eyes, and it gripped Julie's heart.

This time, she didn't hesitate, nor was she as arrogant and impulsive as she had been twenty years ago.

“I'm not in a hurry to go back to Sheffield at all. Actually, if you don't mind, I'd Like to stay here for a year or so..."

Never good at lying or making up excuses on the spot, Julie trailed off uncertainly.

Mathias was stunned for a few seconds, and then nodded enthusiastically.

“There are many houses in my mame. You can live anywhere you want."

With this exchange, the rift between the father and daughter seemed to have been mended a little, leaving a faint smile on both their faces.

Looking up at the beam of the house, Mathias said, “You and Cory can support our family when I'm gone. Cory's son, Ron, is a competent man as well. Boden is not as active as Ron is, but he's not bad either."