Nana's tears fell down her cheeks as she clutched the blanket tightly, her small body trembling.
Sebastian was originally furious. He had suffered at Rosalie's hands, but upon seeing Nana's pitiful appearance, the anger inside him began to subside. He moved closer to her and reached out his hand, but she shrank back in fear.
Sebastian forcibly pulled the blanket off Nana and lifted her. He then walked toward the balcony.
Nana was terrified, but she dared not move recklessly. She could only silently shed tears, too scared to cry out loud.
Sebastian carried Nana to the balcony, where a cool breeze blew. He sat down in the chair on the balcony, placing Nana on his lap.
"Nana, are you upset with Daddy for not saving you at that time?"
Nana lowered her head and kept silent.
"I could only save one of you. Your mother was right by my side, and you were far from me. I couldn't get to you in time."
Though if given another chance, he would still save Rosalie.
"You didn't die, so you're lucky. I won't abandon you. Even if you've lost a leg, you're still my daughter. After your wound heals, we'll fit you with a prosthetic, and you'll be able to walk again, though not as lively as before."
Nana looked up at him, her face full of confusion. She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to ask something, but then hesitated as she felt scared.
"What's the matter? Do you have something to say to me?" Sebastian asked.
Nana hesitated for a moment before saying, "Daddy, why is Mommy always tied up?"
"Because your mommy did something wrong."
He stroked her head. "This is something you'll understand when you grow up. Just remember, you are my daughter, and you have to stand by me. I adopted you and gave you a new life. Otherwise, you don't know how much suffering you would have endured. You're so cute, I'm pretty sure other kids will bully you. And now, with your leg gone, if I abandoned you, you'd have nowhere to go."
His voice was gentle, but it carried a threat.
Nana was frightened and tightly hugged Sebastian, trembling as she burrowed into his arms. "Daddy, don't abandon me. I'll be good. I'll listen to you."
Nana was like a stray kitten that had wandered through storms for far too long, finally finding someone to take her in. She was terrified of being abandoned again, of being cast back into the streets. And now, with her leg gone, if she were left behind, she wouldn't survive.
Sebastian gently patted her back, comforting her. "Nana, as long as you stand by Daddy, I won't abandon you. Daddy will take care of you, watch you grow up, and then see you get married."
Sebastian stroked Nana's head, his gaze drifting to the distance, as if imagining that scene.
He longed for that kind of happiness too. If only Nana were his biological daughter!
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