My face remained impassive. "I understand."

Seeing that I was behaving, Emerald relaxed slightly. She smiled and gently tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear, guiding me to face the guests in the living room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for taking the time to attend my daughter's banquet," Emerald announced with a gracious smile. "I left her when she was very young, and not being able to raise her has always been a regret of mine. But perhaps the Almighty has heard my plea, and now she has returned to my side. From now on, our family is finally complete."

She paused, then added, "As...