My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1009

Tate’s cloudy eyes watched her quietly as she spoke. When she finished, he was suddenly seized by a violent coughing fit that left his face flushed. Emily jumped to her feet in alarm. “Professor, are you alright?” Melisa, equally startled, rushed to his side. “Dad, what’s wrong?” Tate waved a dismissive hand, taking deep breaths to calm himself. “I’m fine. Both of you, sit down.” Emily hesitantly returned to her seat, her worried gaze fixed on him. Tate kept his eyes closed until his breathing steadied. Then, he slowly opened them and looked at Emily, his voice frail but firm. “I will accept everything about her. She wasn't with me from birth. I don't know what kind of people she met, good or bad. I don't know what kind of person she became. I know nothing about her life. That is my failure as a father.” He continued, “So, whatever she is now, whatever she has done, whether good or bad, I will accept it. If she is doing well, I will celebrate her and offer my support. If she is not, if she was raised poorly, if she is unsuccessful or has made many mistakes, she is still my daughter. I will not blame her. I was absent for too many years; I have no right to criticize her. Instead, I will help her. I will make up for my failings as a father.” Tate spoke haltingly, but his resolve was clear and his tone was deeply earnest. “Growing up without her parents by her side, she has already suffered enough. Even if she’s in prison now, or her reputation is in tatters, it’s not just her fault. It’s my fault, too. Because I was absent, she made mistakes. If I had raised her from childhood, perhaps she would have turned out differently. So, I will accept it all.” The more Tate spoke, the raspier his voice became. He looked at Emily. “So, no matter what the situation is, please tell me everything. This is something I must face, and I will not run from it.” Emily looked into Tate’s cloudy eyes and suddenly felt they were as sharp and piercing as they had been years ago. For a fleeting moment, she thought he had already guessed the truth. “I understand,” she murmured. She lifted her head and met Melisa’s gaze. Melisa seemed a bit lost, likely shaken by hearing her own father express such deep concern for his other daughter. But she quickly composed herself, offering Emily a reassuring smile and a nod. It was a natural reaction; even Emily would have struggled to accept it. In fact, even as a partial outsider, Emily couldn’t help but marvel at how much Isabella Austin was loved, by both her adoptive parents and her biological father. Isabella was a woman who had grown up surrounded by love and money. She was truly fortunate. Emily looked back at Tate. “Professor, I have been searching, and I have some leads. As soon as I find her, I will tell you.” Tate nodded repeatedly. “Good, good. Leads are good.” Emily stood up and gently patted his shoulder. “You should get some rest, Professor. I’ll be going now.” As Emily and Melisa walked out, Melisa said, “Since Dad feels that way, I’ll pick the right time to tell him.” “Okay,” Emily replied, her gaze lowered. Tate's devotion to Isabella had exceeded her expectations; his words had struck a deep chord within her. He had been a mentor to her, and Isabella was his biological daughter. Emily could be ruthless in dealing with Isabella, but she found it hard to be ruthless with the daughter of Tate Vargas.