Chapter 157: I did

"Valencia." As soon as Roman left, Maverick called in a gentle tone. He extended his hands and grabbed her hand in a comforting manner.

Valencia’s lips trembled, and her eyes pooled with tears, but she tried to blink it away. She turned to Maverick with a feigned smile playing at her lips. "I... I... I am..."

Before Valencia could regain a hold of herself, she had already burst into tears, her body trembling.

How could it be? How could the world be so wicked? All because of envy and hatred, a woman could cruelly do this? Why?

Valencia carefully lay in Maverick's bed and wrapped her hand around him tight. Tears streamed past her eyes, and her body trembled. She could only call, "Maverick. Maverick. What to do?" All her life. All her life was nothing but a drama caused by no one but a jealous and dark-minded person.

Maverick’s hand wrapped around the woman comfortingly, and he placed her head on his chest, his heart aching on behalf of the woman. "Baby, cry it out. Just know that you will always have me. I will always support any decision you choose, okay?" He coaxed, his voice very gentle and protective, giving Valencia the illusion as if she were home. As if she were warm, free, and away from any worries and trouble.

Upon hearing this, it was as if the dam that was in Valencia’s eyes had been opened, and she broke into loud tears.

What if none of this had happened? Perhaps Valencia would have been her parents' sweet daughter. Perhaps she would never have gone through the sadness and misery in her life and...

Upon thinking like this, the sadder Valencia became. But in the next minute, Valencia’s eyes dilated.

Perhaps if that had happened, Valencia wouldn't have met Maverick. Perhaps she wouldn't have met the Cirillo family, and perhaps she wouldn't have given birth to her quadruplets and grown up to be such a strong woman who created Vaquel...

Upon thinking like this, Valencia snapped out of her sadness. Why would she cry? Despite all the things she had gone through, Valencia had managed to squeeze the best from her life. So what use is it to cry?

If it ever came to choosing, she'd definitely choose this type of sweet life where she had her people by her side.

Upon thinking like this, Valencia raised her hand and wiped her tears away. She raised her head and stared at Maverick with a big and sincere beam on her face, her mood improving and already regaining control over her thoughts. "I am fine."

Maverick’s expression softened, and he lowered his head to place a kiss on the woman's lips.

Maverick’s worried eyes landed on the woman's face. Even though he didn't say a word, Valencia could perfectly understand that he was asking what she'll do from now on.

Valencia sighed and shrugged. She didn't know yet.

Everything was just too much to take. She was going to mull it over before making her decisions.

After all, this kind of thing has a risk to it, so she had to be extremely careful. Very careful.

However, as long as Valencia was in the country, she believed that she was in safe hands, so she wasn't afraid.

After all, Valencia had the Vandenberg and the Cirillo family behind her.

The Relling family would have to think twice before crossing the two families.

Valencia lowered her head and exhaled, her hands began to play with Maverick’s hand, and she murmured under her breath, "I wonder if Mr. Carter knew I was his child or not..."

Before Valencia could complete her words, the sudden knock on the door interjected Valencia’s and Maverick’s conversation.

Valencia wiped the tears from her eyes and prepared herself well before finally instructing the person to come in.

Valencia froze upon seeing Mr. Carter, Amabelle, and Lessie step into the ward.

Valencia had just been talking about Mr. Carter; she hadn't expected that he'd step in just like that.

If it was in the past, Valencia would have held a bit of anger and resentment toward him, but right now, after realizing what happened, she couldn't.

Mr. Carter raised someone else's daughter, thinking they were father and daughter.

Perhaps that's why Valencia and Mr. Carter didn't have a stronger bond, unlike Lessie and Mr. Carter.

Mr. Carter stepped forward while holding a wooden box in his hands. He took a glance at Valencia before focusing on Maverick. "I heard you are sick, son-in-law."

Mr. Carter immediately turned to Lessie, and she stepped forward while holding a box. "This is a gift from our family. Recover well," he said, his voice having a hint of awkwardness and the expression on his face tense.

Valencia stretched her hand and collected the gift before indifferently pronouncing, "Thank you."

Mr. Carter sighed and stared at Valencia. He parted his lips as if to say a word, but in the next second, he closed his lips as if he were going through an inner battle.

After doing that three or more times, he shut his eyes tight and used his palm to wipe his face.

Mr. Carter spoke in a solemn voice and stared at Valencia seriously. "Valencia, can we have a private moment, please?" He pleaded, his voice lacking confidence, as if he expected Valencia to reject him.

Valencia stood up and nodded calmly, "Alright." After hearing Roman's explanation, she had been curious and also wanted to know if Mr. Carter knew about her birth.

Mr. Carter, Lessie, and Amabelle were shocked to hear Valencia accept Mr. Carter's request. It was as if they expected Valencia to make things hard.

Nevertheless, they bowed to Maverick and turned to leave. Amabelle and Lessie made their way out of the hospital, while Mr. Carter and Valencia made their way to a hospital ward that was currently empty.

Valencia folded her arms and leaned against the wall and stared at Mr. Carter calmly, her eyes occasionally drifting to the box in his hands.

Mr. Carter sat on the bed and stared at the box, his eyes filled with several intense emotions. He sighed and shook his head ruefully. "Valencia, I have been a bad father; I have no excuses for that. I was such a deadbeat father. I couldn’t even take care of you," he pronounced.

Even though Mr. Carter was no different, somehow, he seemed to appear wiser and more mature than the last time Valencia saw him.

Upon hearing this, a mocking smile involuntarily appeared on Valencia's face, and she scoffed, "Is this after realizing the influence and wealth I hold?" Valencia sneered and disparaged coldly, "I heard your company is now having issues. Perhaps your beloved Carter might close due to bankruptcy," she pronounced ruthlessly.

Mr. Carter smiled, clearly unoffended by Valencia's remarks. He raised his head and finally took a proper glance at Valencia’s face. She had gotten so beautiful and mature—more exceptionally, capable of settling herself and having a family.

When did this little girl, who had always begged him to carry her around and bring her to the office, become such a beautiful and strong woman? He hadn't even been present, not to mention noticed.

Even though Mr. Carter had failed Valencia, she hadn't failed herself.

Valencia had used those lessons to push and make herself stronger. She's such a wonderful and strong girl. He's so proud of her and how she has grown.

It was so disdainful of Mr. Carter that he couldn't even fulfill the one promise he made to Raquel.

Mr. Carter snapped out of his reverie, and he shook his head, a rueful smile appearing on his face. "What more do I need? I might not have everything, but I still have a family and enough funds to last our lives. I realized this after I heard about his accident." Although Mr. Carter mentioned his, Valencia understood that he was talking about Maverick’s accident.

Mr. Carter stared at Valencia seriously. "What's the benefit of all this if I can't even enjoy it? Valencia, I realized that I want to live a pure life and rewrite my mistake from now on."

Mr. Carter stood up and stretched out the box toward Valencia. "I think you might need this. This is from Raquel."

Valencia's eyes fell on the box, and she slowly stretched out her hand to collect it, her mind still swirling and processing the information that Mr. Carter had just passed to her. She hadn't expected that Mr. Carter would speak like this.

Suddenly, Valencia caught on to an important thing—Mr. Carter hadn't used 'Mom.' Instead, he had mentioned Raquel.

Valencia raised her head and stared at Mr. Carter in bewilderment. "You know that I..." Even though Valencia didn't complete her words, she was clearly saying that Mr. Carter knew she wasn't his child.

Mr. Carter nodded and seriously proclaimed, "I did." He sighed and stared into the distance. "You were meant to be shielded from the public and parties in order not to let your identity be revealed, but you were never meant to be shielded..." His lips raised to form a smile.

Those times that he found troublesome—if only he had watched silently and tried to enjoy the moment, he would have found it really interesting, but he had found it troublesome back then. So bad.

"I thought punishing you would make it right, but it's just my inadequacy. Valencia, I am sorry, and I am proud of the woman you have become."

Valencia didn't know when Mr. Carter had left, but what she had heard was him telling her that he was sorry and proud of the woman she had become.

Valencia sighed and gently opened the box. The familiar smell of Vaquel that she had missed immediately drifted into her nose, making her feel nostalgic. Her eyes immediately watered.

> "Valencia, if you're reading this letter without me, it means I am dead or something has happened to me.

Initially, I planned to give this to you when you turned twenty. However, after much thought, I realized it's better you read this when you're mature, calm, and powerful.

Valencia, years ago, you were born to a loving couple. Sadly, some selfish people tore you apart from them. And I was cruel enough to help with their plan and hide the truth of your birth.

If you're reading this, it means I believe you're capable enough to stand against these wicked people. Regardless, you must take care of yourself and protect your safety.

Only then will you be able to move forward again and again, regardless of what life brings your way..."

Tears pooled in Valencia's eyes, and her heart ached, yet she continued to read the words persistently.

It was just like Roman had said—he had spoken nothing but the truth.

A particular sentence suddenly caught Valencia’s gaze, making her freeze:

> "I don't know if I was mistaken or not, but I think I overheard the Relling family talking about giving a family a slow-acting paralyzing drug. I'm afraid that family might be the Austeegard family."

Valencia’s expression changed, and she froze.

Suddenly, a surge of anger and loathing overwhelmed her.

It was enough that even though the Austeegard family had done nothing to the Relling family, they had repeatedly targeted them over and over again. It was enough that they separated Valencia from her parents and tried to kill her. Now...

The sudden ringing of Valencia's phone snapped her out of her reverie.

Upon seeing that the caller was Maverick, Valencia immediately picked up the phone.

Maverick’s voice instantly drifted from the other end of the phone. "Valencia, Roman returned to inform you that your dad slumped and is currently in the hospital. He's afraid that Mr. Austeegard might want to prepare his will. If that happens..."

Valencia’s expression changed. Even though Maverick didn't complete his words, Valencia immediately understood what he was implying.

Once Mr. Austeegard bequeathed all his properties to the fake daughter, the Relling family would not need Roman and Valencia anymore—and for this reason, they'd definitely hunt them down to destroy them and the Austeegard family as a whole.

Valencia’s fist clenched, and her eyes were filled with determination. "I can't let this happen. I have to let out the truth."

Moreover, the Relling family had to be destroyed, and the truth needed to be revealed to the world.

Maverick's voice was calm, as if he had already expected Valencia to choose this decision. "I'll come with you. When do we leave?"

"Today."