Loving DAD 1056

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Chapter 1056 

Victoria’s mother, however, was nothing like Shayla. She lacked that same strength. 

Sometimes, Richard would catch himself wondering if only Shayla had been a little gentler, a little softer- how different things might have been. 

Perhaps because he had finally found someone willing to listen, Richard began reminiscing about the past–his tender moments with Shayla, the little habits and preferences she’d once had. Even after all these years, he still remembered them vividly. 

It was clear he had loved her once. But how deep that love had truly run–no one could say. 

Suddenly, Sharon asked, “Then what about Victoria’s mother?” 

Richard’s voice faltered. He hesitated before answering, “To tell the truth… what I feel for Audrey was more gratitude than love. If she hadn’t saved me back then, I would’ve died. She’s my savior. 

“Sharon, she rescued me. She stayed by my side when I had nothing—nursed me, cared for me, and never left. We were married for several years, and she bore me a child. No matter how things turned out, a child is always innocent. 

“You have a child now–you must understand. As a parent, no matter the reason, you can never abandon your own blood, can you?” 3 

Sharon said nothing. 2 

So Richard continued, recounting the story of the fisher girl who had once changed his life. 

Victoria’s mother was named Audrey Patrick, a fisherwoman from a remote coastal village. 

When Richard first woke after his accident, he had lost his memory and treated Audrey terribly. Yet she bore it all in silence, caring for him without a word of complaint. To pay for his medical expenses, she worked several jobs, rising before dawn and coming home long after dark. 

Audrey had lost both parents as a child and grew up with her elder brother. She was the most beautiful girl in the entire village, her looks attracting the unwanted attention of many men with ill intent. 

To protect herself, she began telling people Richard was her husband, hoping the claim would keep those men at bay. But she underestimated the ugliness of human nature. One night, she was cornered–nearly assaulted- when Richard arrived just in time to save her. 

Though he had always been cold toward her, seeing her bullied ignited a fury he couldn’t suppress. He beat those men half to death. 2 

From that night on, something between them shifted. Their bond deepened. 

“I thought then,” Richard said, “that I should at least fulfill my duty as a husband. And over time, she gave me 

her whole heart. 

“But people are not made of wood–we feel. After years together, I couldn’t remain indifferent. When I regained my memory, I told her the truth, and we parted ways. Later, when she found out she was pregnant, she never 

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came looking for me. She only asked that I raise Victoria well, away from that fishing village, so that Victoria wouldn’t suffer as she had. That was her only wish.” 1 

He looked at Sharon, his expression tightening. “So tell me, why couldn’t your mother accept an innocent child? 

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Sharon stared at his still–resentful face, a cold smile touching her lips. 

All these years later, even after her mother’s death, Richard still saw no fault in himself. In his mind, Shayla had been the one too narrow–hearted to tolerate the existence of another woman’s child. 

She chuckled bitterly. Then, in a calm voice, she said, “Dad, do you know why I divorced Carter?” 

Since returning home, she had rarely spoken about her past. Richard had asked before, out of concern, but each time she’d brushed him off. 

She hadn’t wanted to talk about it, and he had stopped pressing. 

After all, she had been married and had a child. 

And as far as Richard was concerned, the Kalen family could afford to take care of her, no matter what.