Chapter 144

Alvin stood still, letting Victoria collapse into his arms.

Victoria was trembling with sobs, clutching Alvin's waist and burying her head in his chest. "Dad, is it really you? Am I dreaming?" she choked out.

She was terrified that everything in front of her was just an illusion.

Her emotions were a whirlwind, and tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.

Alvin gently patted Victoria's back, soothing her in a low voice, "Silly girl. I'm here. This isn't a dream. I'm back. Don't cry."

"Dad! Dad!" Victoria cried even harder, gripping Alvin's shirt tightly, filled with deep-seated grievance and dependence. "Dad, I missed you so much. I've been waiting for you to come back every single day, for so long."

Victoria was a mess of tears, and Alvin's heart ached for her. He could only keep comforting her, "I'm so sorry, Victoria. It's all my fault. You've been through so much."

Elara stood nearby, her mouth agape in shock. She never expected that the man in front of her was actually Victoria's father-the one who was supposed to be in prison.

Outside the hospital room, Daisy paused, glancing back down the empty hallway.

Around the corner, William leaned against the wall, a lit cigarette between his fingers.

He looked down, watching the smoke curl around his fingers, his handsome, aloof face partially hidden in the haze.

He had never heard Victoria cry so heartbreakingly before. Her sobs were filled with endless grievance, like a lost child, stubborn yet full of despair.

It was as if she had been struggling alone for so long, and only now, seeing her family, could she finally let down her guard and cry her heart out.

William's heart twisted painfully.

Inside the room, Victoria's emotions were completely out of control.

All the grievances and sadness she had suppressed for so long burst forth like a flood.

She clung to Alvin's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.

Alvin held Victoria's thin, frail body, his heart aching. "Victoria, it's all my fault. I've made you suffer so much. I'm sorry."

"No, Dad, don't say that. It's not your fault. You had no choice," Victoria shook her head, her voice hoarse.

"Victoria!" Alvin reached out a trembling hand, gently stroking her soft, short hair.

"Dad, tell me, you won't leave me again, right?"

Victoria suddenly looked up, her tear-filled eyes gazing at Alvin.

"Don't worry. He's been released on parole. As long as he behaves, he won't have to go back," Daisy said calmly as she entered the room.

Alvin turned his head, looking at Daisy with gratitude in his eyes.

Daisy, however, didn't spare him a glance, walking straight to Victoria.

Victoria quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and stood up. "Thank you, Ms. Scott. Thank you for saving my dad."

Daisy smiled and shook her head. "Don't thank me. You should know who helped you and why he got your dad out."

Victoria fell silent, her heart pounding.

She knew exactly who had helped her get Alvin out.

She never expected he would go this far for her.

Alvin's face darkened at Daisy's words.

He grabbed Victoria's wrist. "Let's go home."

That simple phrase, "Let's go home," was like a key, unlocking the softest part of Victoria's heart.

Victoria couldn't hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched Alvin's hand, nodding vigorously. "Yeah, let's go home."

That word "home" carried all her hopes and dreams for so many days and nights.

Of all the words in the world, only "home" could touch the deepest part of her soul and warm her heart.

Alvin smiled with relief, pulling Victoria towards the door.

Before Victoria could respond, they heard hurried footsteps outside, and then Nora burst in.

"Why are you crying so miserably before surgery? Are you that eager for me to die?" She pushed the door open and froze when she saw the people inside.

Hearing her voice, Alvin's brow furrowed, his expression growing darker.

He pulled Victoria towards the door.

Nora was too shocked to speak, shaking her head in disbelief. "Alvin, how did you get out? What's going on?"

The Alvin in front of her, after two years in prison, looked much more rugged but still had those sharp features. The resilience in his eyes was even stronger, and he looked spirited, not at all like a worn-out prisoner.

In fact, he looked even more rugged and strong, making it hard to look away.

Maybe it was because they had been apart for two years, but at that moment, Nora felt a strange flutter for the man she once despised.

Nora smoothed her disheveled hair and straightened her hospital gown, trying to present herself better. "Alvin, now that you're here, don't you have anything to say to me?"

Alvin's eyes flashed, and he tightened his grip on Victoria's hand. "I have nothing to say to you."

With that, he pulled Victoria and walked quickly towards the door.

Nora panicked and rushed to block their way. "Wait! Victoria can't leave!"

Alvin stopped and turned to her. "What, do I need your permission to take my daughter home? Move!"

"No!" Nora, standing in front of him, still had a hint of coquettishness, as if she still lived in the past, thinking Alvin was the man who would do anything for her.

She pointed at Victoria, her arrogance returning. "Victoria, what's wrong with you? Are you going to let me die here?"

Alvin's long-suppressed anger exploded. He let go of Victoria's hand and grabbed Nora by the throat.

Nora was completely caught off guard, both shocked and furious, glaring at him. "Are you crazy?"

Just days ago, she had clashed with William, and the bruises on her neck hadn't even faded. Now, Alvin's grip made her cry out in pain.

Elara and Daisy rushed over to pull Alvin away.

Alvin's eyes were bloodshot, his voice low and hoarse. "The biggest regret of my life is not divorcing you when I found out you were cheating, letting Victoria suffer under your hands for so many years. When I was home, you at least held back a little. But once I was in prison, what did you do to her!"

Thinking about what Daisy had told him, about the things Bobby and Nora had done to Victoria over the past two years, Alvin wanted to tear them apart.

His precious Victoria, so well-behaved and sensible, had been bullied by Bobby and Nora.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. His eyes were bloodshot, and he tightened his grip on Nora's neck. "And you want her to donate a kidney to you? No way! I won't let you harm my daughter anymore!"