Chapter 196 - She Could See Colors

Cathy became stiffened in her place, hearing the deep father-like tone in his father's voice.

"Oops..." Tanya laughed nervously and tried to run away. "I'll go first. Please enjoy the father-daughter chat here. Bye..."

Cathy wanted to cry, knowing her new friend became a traitor in only a second. Isn't Alpha supposed to pledge her loyalty to her no matter what happened? Why did that girl abandon her right now?

Cathy tried to smile sweetly at her father, but she knew her attempt was futile when her father gave her an unchanging flat expression.

"Dad... there is a reason why we are in a hurry to get married. I'll explain."

"Oh? Could it be... that you... you know..." Daniel looked hesitant as he continued his words while lowering his gaze at his daughter's stomach.

"What?" Cathy tried to understand the meaning of her father's gaze at her belly. Why did her father look at her tummy with questioning eyes? What's wrong with her stomach? As if thunder hit her head, Cathy realized the reasoning why her father looks at her belly made her panic. "No. It's not what you think. I'm not pregnant. I... I'm still virgin." stuttered Cathy and stated the last words with a soft voice.

Why does she feel embarrassed talking about this to her father?

"Aren't you two married? He still hasn't touched you?"

Ugh... does she have to discuss this matter with her father? Somehow she felt ashamed to have to discuss this matter with her father.

But she wants her father to agree to her marriage to Vincent. Cathy had no choice but to provide an answer.

"Vincent... he's a bit old-fashioned. He never even kissed me before we got married. Our development may be a bit late when compared to other couples. Or maybe too fast?" which couple would get married right away after a year of separation, after all?

But, if only Vincent had not gone and Cathy wasn't a daughter of Chloeny Paxton, their relationship progress was considerably slow.

"Well, I don't know wheater it's too fast or slow. But, dad... I never found someone like him... we both are a bit similar, and also... He..." Cathy did not know how to explain her feelings about her husband to her father. Her eyes filled with tears because she was afraid her father would hate Vincent. She hoped that Daniel could accept her marriage, yet she didn't know how to make him understand. "You don't know how important his presence is to me. I..."

"You love him." interrupted Daniel to understand the meaning of his daughter's expression.

"I do... very much." Cathy gave a confident nod. "And I know he also loves me, dad." she continued again.

"Come here." Daniel's hands were wide open. Understanding what her father meant, Cathy immediately got into his father's warm embrace. Tears were bursting out, longing for the outpouring of affection from a father.

"I can see it. Everyone can see Vincent's love for you. I'm sure he can make you happy. If you love him too, there's nothing else for me to worry about." Daniel continued while kissing the top of his daughter's head.

Cathy closed her eyes, smiling broadly. For the first time, she felt her body felt light, as if she could fly right now. There was no trace of bitterness or hatred for Daniel in her heart. It was as if she never felt that kind of negative emotions since the beginning.

All these dozen years, Cathy has been trying to be as cheerful as possible and has been a good sister and mother figure to her three younger siblings. But the truth was that she felt suffocated, and it made her suffer to the point she couldn't breathe.

Now she knows why she suffered every night and cried for no reason. She had bitterness for Daniel's treatment, and it grew to become hatred over time.

Even though she didn't want to admit it, her heart buried her hatred deep down to be a good sister for her sisters. Without realizing it, she closed her heart and viewed man as irresponsible and a creature that she needed to stay away from.

However, after meeting Vincent, she slowly opened her heart. That man suggested that she forget about the past and try to forgive everything Daniel had done to her.

It wasn't an easy task, but she was willing to try. After reuniting with Daniel in that place, Cathy felt relieved to see him alive. And now, after listening to his explanation and begged for forgiveness, she knew that her hatred was already long gone.

Never did Cathy feel more complete knowing she felt grateful. She was thankful that his father is still alive and well. Vincent and Kinsey also returned safely. Although there were a few bruises on Kinsey, at least the wounds weren't severe enough to put his life in danger. Cathy had never felt this way before.

After feeling that she had been there long enough, Daniel invited Cathy out to join the others. She agreed immediately. He also wanted to check back on her friend's condition.

The white walls of the room were decorated with only one giant screen. Cathy saw a long black table filled with hundreds or even thousands of faded white buttons and red before the room turned dark.

Daniel turned off the main control room lights because this room would no longer be of use. The Stealth was destroyed, and they didn't need to use it anymore.

As she walked back up the spiral staircase, Cathy noticed something that she never expects to see. She squinted her eyes for a moment, and then her hands rubbed her eyes.

She followed her father to enter a big room with everyone waited for her. No one knew nor heard her pounding heart when her eyes... she could see every color in this room!

Cathy looked around with a stunned expression and glistened eyes.

Everyone who witnessed Cathy's strange behavior was puzzled. The girl's attitude was like a child who had just seen a miracle in the world for the first time. What exactly happened?

Vincent was one of those people who was puzzled by Cathy's attitude. He was about to walk up to his wife when he saw Daniel Paxton walking out of the doorway following Cathy.

At first, he was wondering what made Cathy linger underground even the Alpha came back alone.

Seeing Cathy's attitude, who was still inside her world, Vincent smiled understandingly.

"Do you like it?" Vincent asked while giving a gentle pat on the shoulder of Cathy.

Cathy immediately turned around and smiled at her husband's face.

"I can see it. Now I can see it." Cathy continued with a touching tone followed by tears. "They are all wonderful."

"I know."

Vincent and Cathy hugged each other without caring about each person's confused looks because this was the most meaningful moment in Cathy's life.

For the first time since that incident... since she was crying because of his father's slap, finally, Cathy could see colors again.

Cathy remembered Vincent's explanation that day when her husband explained that her eye disorder had something to do with her deepest feelings.

'This is just a theory. But if there isn't an abnormality in your eye like the doctor said, maybe the problem lies in your innermost feelings. You harbored a past bitterness that grew into hatred. Perhaps it's that feeling that forms a defensive that prevents you from seeing colors. I think you have to make a closure to your past first. Make peace with him and forgive your father. I know it won't be easy, but I want you to try it.'

The truth is, Cathy deliberately buried her hatred so that it wouldn't be seen from the outside. She did it for her growing younger siblings. Cathy didn't want her sister's life to be filled with such deep hatred as herself. Neither did she want her sister to feel restless and agitated from feeling the hatred from within her.

That's why she buried it. Cathy buried the hatred deeply.

Who would have thought... her buried hatred prevented her from seeing the beauty of color.

She tried to follow Vincent's suggestion but... it was too hard. Not to mention, she thought Daniel was still in the mental hospital and would not meet her every time she visited the man. 

However, when she was in danger and afraid of death, she felt immense regret because she wouldn't be able to meet her sisters or uncle... and also, she hasn't ended her hatred toward Daniel.

Who would have thought Daniel would appear as Zero and save her.

She didn't know if her hatred was gone or still lingering inside her heart. But she did know she felt a great relief to see him alive and in a healthy state.

It was only a few minutes ago that Cathy was talking to Daniel from heart to heart. They even decided to start from scratch as father-daughter.

Earlier, she didn't even notice it. But she was sure she could see the red and white buttons fading in some buttons before Daniel turned off the control room lights.

Is it possible... ever since she decided to start over, she already could see it? Whatever it is... it's all thanks to Vincent. If Vincent had not advocated forgiving her father, Cathy would never have thought of trying.

Cathy broke his embrace and tilted her head to see her husband's face.

"Thank you."

Vincent smiled as he kissed his beloved wife's forehead.. "Anything for you."