Doubts

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"I wouldn't have been able to save you without them," Lu Aotian admitted, his voice thick with gratitude.

"Mei Xing, I'm sorry for not telling you about all this sooner. I'm sorry for everything," Yuxi apologized, her voice trembling.

Mei Xing pulled away from Lu Aotian. "You keep saying you are sorry. But it doesn't change the past. It doesn't change how you neglected and punished me for things that were out of my control. Nor does it change how you were okay with Mother blatantly disowning me," she said, her voice growing shaky with each word.

"I have been fighting for everyone's approval all my life. The moment you see how better I am without any of you, you all want me back—you're all sorry." Shaking her head, she continued, "It doesn't work that way."

"I just want things to work out now," Yuxi pleaded, her voice breaking. "It didn't happen in the past but I'm willing to give it my all now. I'm sorry, okay? Please forgive me."