𝖂𝖍𝖎𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕺𝖋 𝕷𝖔𝖛𝖊 (ZhanYi)

Secrets!

Zhan's POV... 20 Years Later

I was in my hotel room when Yanli rushed in, panting heavily. Yanli is my daughter, and the circumstances of her birth are complex. However, I will tell her about it someday.

Yanli's arrival caught me off guard, and my heart skipped a beat as I looked at her. She seemed to have been running, and her breathing seemed labored. Concern washed over me as I rushed to her side.

"Yanli, are you okay? Did you see a ghost?" I asked, my voice filled with worry, as I gently placed my hand on her trembling shoulder.

Yanli's eyes widened as she caught her breath, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Dad, there was this guy at the park who wouldn't stop staring at me. I stared back defiantly, but when he walked towards me, I got scared and started running. He chased after me, but luckily, Uncle Tian Peng intervened and told him to back off."

"Yanli, I'm so glad you're safe. We should definitely report this to the police. Do you remember what he looked like? Let me make a sketch and we'll take it to the police station," I said, my anger fueling my determination to protect my daughter.

She showed me her camera, and when I saw the picture, my heart dropped. Lee, I muttered, and tears rolled down my cheeks.

Dad, why are you crying? Do you know him? Yanli whispered.

"He was Blake's bodyguard," I choked out, struggling to control my emotions. "We lost touch 6 months after Blake's burial, but seeing Lee's face again brings back all those memories."

Blake? Yanli asked.

"Yes, Yanli," I replied, my voice trembling. "We used to visit his gravesite every year to honor his memory before you decided you were not traveling with me because I always cried, and his loss still haunts me. I can't help but feel overwhelmed by his memories and the pain of his absence."

"I'm sorry, Dad," Yanli whispered, her voice filled with remorse. "I stopped going with you because I wanted you to have privacy with him. I didn't realize how much it still affects you. I should have been there for you." At first, I thought he was just a platonic friend. But when I turned 12, I realized the true extent of what he meant to you. However, it has been 20 years. Why haven't you tried dating yet? I'm honestly curious. Yanli sighed.

"I can't do that to Blake," I replied, looking at her with a mix of sadness and longing. "I loved him, I still do. It would feel wrong to move on and start dating someone else when my heart still belongs to him.

He'd know you tried. He will not be happy to see you sad. Yanli said, frustrated.

"I know Blake would want me to be happy," I said in a bittersweet tone. However, deep down, I fear that if I date someone else, it would be a betrayal of our love. I can't bear the thought of seeing myself with someone else."

How did he die? She asked.

Yanli, please, I can't talk about it.