CHAPTER 12

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ADITI'S POV

I reach home, and here they are—my kids—racing toward me. Benji, Blacky, Berry, Gogo, Budget, Lily, Sheru, Brownie, Kiki, Castle, Summer, and Lucy.

They all leap onto me, knocking me into the grass, their tails wagging furiously. They start licking me all over, and I can’t help but laugh.

"Missed Mumma, huh?" I say, patting each of them one by one.

Their excitement warms my heart, and I feel the joy of being back home.

“These little troublemakers missed you a lot,” a voice calls out.

I turn and see Dad standing there.

“Hi, Dad,” I say, still playing with my kids.

“You look happy, after so long,” he says, watching me with a smile.

“Yeah, I guess,” I say, standing up and holding little Summer in my arms as she continues to lick my face.

“So, how was your experience?” Dad asks.

“It was good. I got to experience a nice vacation,” I start to say, but he cuts me off.

“I’m talking about your acting experience.”

I pause, looking at him. “It was... I don’t know how it was for me, but I can see you enjoyed it.”

“Of course, I’m very proud of you,” Dad says.

“But, Dad, I—" I begin to protest.

He cuts me off again. “I agreed to grant you that vacation as a gift of appreciation.”

Ah, so that’s why he agreed so quickly.

“You know I want you to focus on your career rather than thinking about traveling all the time,” Dad says firmly.

“But, Dad, traveling—” I start, but he cuts me off again.

“Princess, it’s time for you to leave all these childish things behind and focus on your goal, which is to take over my production company.”

“I never wanted to take over your production, Dad. You’ve always known that. This isn’t what I want to do,” I respond, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Then what do you want?” he snaps. “Except for this crazy desire to travel the world all alone. That’s not a goal, and it’s certainly not a career.”

“I can be a travel photographer, Dad, and a travel vlogger...” I try to explain.

“That’s not a stable option, Aditi,” he interrupts. “I don’t want my princess to live an unstable life.”

That’s it. I can’t argue anymore. For some reason, the words won’t come out of my mouth. I just stand there, feeling the weight of his disappointment sink in.

Without saying anything else, I turn and head to my room, my mind swirling with everything left unsaid.

                                  .....

"Are you more of a dog lover or a cat lover?"

"Are you more of a dog lover or a cat lover?"

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