Chapter 27

I could see my parents waiting for me at the door from a distance.

I had never noticed that I had such good eyesight, but I was excited to see them. In the scene from yesterday, I wanted to hug them and find comfort in their arms, but Michael didn’t give me a chance. He took me away without giving me a chance to explain it to my parents.

I quickened my pace and ran toward them. My mother’s eyes were filled with joy.

I went back to my room, changed into my human form, and changed into my clothes. My mother had already served me pancakes at the dining table when I walked out. There was maple syrup and sliced ham beside me. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I was overwhelmed by the warm atmosphere and gave them a big hug.

“Cecily, my baby, your father and I are extremely worried about you.”

My mother hugged me back, and my father followed suit. Our family huddled together, and this was more than anything. My mother pulled me to the dining table and sat me down. She handed me pancakes, and I ate contentedly. Her food was always the best. This was the taste of home.

I could feel her scanning me up and down. I felt warm because of her concern. I smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m fine. Michael, the Lycan prince, didn’t do anything to me. He respected me. We’re mates. He’s a good man. He saved my life once before.”

I tried to put in a good word for Michael. I wanted my parents to have a good impression of Michael and prove that I was doing well. I was an adult now, and I didn’t want my parents to worry about me anymore. It was more my job to take care of them than let them take care of me.

“She does look good. Don’t worry, honey,” my father said.

I swallowed the last muffin and smiled at my father.

“You silly child,” my mother said with tears. “Mom knows everything. Why won’t you tell us anything? You always want to solve everything yourself. We are the people who will always support you. We are supposed to be your backbone, but we have made you suffer. I feel sorry for you.”

I knew she was talking about Robert, and her words almost made me cry.

I knew my parents would always support me unconditionally, but I also wanted to be their pride. In the past, I couldn’t do that. I could only run away and wear a mask to pretend that I was okay, but I wouldn’t do that anymore. I wanted to be their support system, too.

“It’s not your fault, Mom. It’s all my fault. I didn’t want you to be ashamed of me because your daughter is a waste her mate rejected. I want you to be happy for me,” I said with my head lowered.

“Oh, Cecily,” my mother choked.

“Nonsense.” My father retorted, “You will always be our best daughter. We have always been proud of you. If anyone rejects my daughter as a mate, it can only mean that he is blind. He is not lucky enough to have my daughter. My daughter is worthy only of the best person in the world.”

I looked at my father in surprise. He had never said these to me.

I knew my parents loved me, but I never thought they’d be proud of me for being so skinny. It brought tears to my eyes.

We were a family. I could give them my back whenever I had a problem. They wouldn’t give up a chance to save me.

I knew I had made a mistake before. I did not tell them about Robert. I presumed that kind of hurt their feelings, too. We were a family. We were on the same boat and should face everything together.

My mother wiped her tears and said, “Cecily, you have always been a kind and good child. Your father and I are trying our best to give you the best. We never knew that you would think of yourself like this. We both love you very much.”

“I love you, too.”

I couldn’t help but shed tears as well. My father stood next to me and stroked my hair soothingly.

Just as our family was immersed in this warm atmosphere, the ear-piercing sound of the doorbell suddenly rang from outside the door. Our doorbell had been broken for a long time. The sound was sharp, and once it was pressed, it didn’t stop. We couldn’t ever remember to fix it. Everyone in the neighborhood knew about it. So, nobody ever rang the doorbell.

My parents and I looked at each other in confusion.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and tried to get up to answer the door. But my father stopped me. He gave my mother and me a look and told us to stand behind him.

He walked to the door first and looked out through the peephole. He looked a little shocked and then at me. I looked at him, confused, but he had already twisted the door handle open.

The moment the door was pulled open, I smelled a familiar, pleasant smell. It was a strange, invasive fragrance. Mia, who was in my body, also let out an excited snort.

In less than a second, I realized who it was.

“Your Highness?” My mother, who was behind me, asked in surprise.