Falling for the Goddess

The Argument

After getting into the car, Sara Hart remained silent, her lips pressed together tightly.

Lucas Harris sat beside her, glancing at her occasionally, wanting to say something but holding back. The car passed through the neon-lit streets, and Sara stared out the window at the bustling traffic, feeling like she was in a daze.

So much had happened lately that she had almost forgotten about this part of her life.

Half an hour later, the car came to a smooth stop in front of the familiar house. As the driver opened the door for her, Sara stepped out, feeling as if she had just traveled through time. It had been so long since she last returned to this house.

She had lived here after being brought back to South City. But once she started university and Lucas Harris bought her an apartment near campus, she rarely came back.

Though she had stayed here for several years, it never truly felt like home.

"Miss, you're back!" An elderly man standing by the entrance beamed as he saw her, clearly delighted. "It's been so long!"

"Uncle Li," Sara greeted him politely.

Uncle Li had been with the Harris family for many years. He was the one who took care of Sara when she lived here, ensuring she ate well and stayed healthy. Whenever she fell ill, it was Uncle Li who stayed by her side. Her father, always preoccupied with work, rarely had time for her.

As they stepped inside, Uncle Li couldn't contain his excitement. "Are you hungry? Shall I prepare something for you?"

Sara shook her head with a smile. "I'm not hungry, Uncle Li. I'm just here to chat with my dad."

"Of course. I'll bring some tea."

Once Uncle Li left the room, father and daughter sat on the living room sofa in awkward silence.

"Sara," Lucas Harris finally broke the ice, addressing her by her childhood nickname. "About you and Adrian..."

He paused, unsure how to continue. His tone was cautious, his words carefully chosen. He was fully aware that he had failed Sara as a father, and now he was walking on eggshells, afraid to upset her further.

Sara met his gaze directly, her voice calm yet firm. "Dad, I was the one who insisted on marrying him."

Lucas Harris's frown deepened. "Marriage isn't something you can decide on a whim. You married him without formalities — no proposal, wedding, or family involvement. How do you think the Blake family views you?"

He leaned forward, his expression serious. "And what about your future? You'll have a hard time ahead without a proper wedding or recognition."

Sara sighed, knowing this was going to be difficult to explain. "Adrian has already severed ties with the Blake family. Our marriage is between us — it's got nothing to do with them."

Lucas Harris's brows knitted together. He had heard about Adrian's fallout with his family, but that didn't make things any easier to accept.

"You acted impulsively," he pressed. "If you truly like him, you could've told me. You could've dated openly, and when things were serious, we'd arrange a proper wedding. I would've given you a grand send-off, ensuring you entered the Blake family with dignity."

Sara let out a bitter chuckle. "If we'd done it your way, I never would've had a chance with Adrian."

Her voice softened as she added, "I love him. This was my decision."

Lucas Harris was taken aback. "Sara, you..."

"I've liked him for a long time, Dad. We got married because his grandmother arranged it, but it was never about duty. It's about love."

Lucas Harris was at a loss for words.

"Even if you love him, you can't gamble your future on an impulsive decision!" he argued, clearly distressed. "What if he changes? What if he doesn't treat you well?"

"I'm an adult, Dad. I can take responsibility for my choices."

"But I'm your father!" Lucas Harris's voice rose, his frustration breaking through his usual calm demeanor. "Your marriage isn't just your business. I have a say in this!"

Sara's gaze turned cold. "And what does being my father really mean?"

Her words were sharp, cutting straight to the heart.

"Do you know me? Do you even know what I want?"

Lucas Harris's lips parted, but no words came out.

"Where were you when I was slandered online? When I was cyberbullied? Did you know?"

Sara's voice grew louder, her emotions spilling out. "When I was at my lowest, it wasn't you who stood by me. It was Adrian who pulled me out of that darkness."

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her chest heaved with emotion as years of pent-up feelings erupted.

"Yes, you gave me a comfortable life. But the person who raised me, who loved me, was Grandma. When I needed my parents the most, where were you?"

Her voice cracked with emotion. She tried to hold back her tears but failed.

"I always thought I had moved on," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I thought I'd let go of my anger. But I haven't."

Lucas Harris sat there, stunned. He couldn't refute anything she said.

She was right.

They had failed her.

Sara wiped her tears hastily, determined not to appear weak. She didn't want to cry in front of him. She had always prided herself on her independence, her strength.

But today, she couldn't hold it in.

She wanted him to know how deeply he had hurt her.

After a long silence, Lucas Harris spoke softly, his voice filled with regret. "You're right. I wasn't a good father."

"I just... I want to make things right."

At that moment, Uncle Li returned with a tray of sweet rice wine. Seeing Sara's tear-streaked face, he frowned in concern. "What's wrong? Why is Miss Hart crying?"

Sara forced a smile, wiping away the last of her tears. "It's nothing, Uncle Li. I'll head upstairs to rest."

As she walked away, Lucas Harris's gaze lingered on her retreating figure. He let out a heavy sigh.

"Uncle Li," he murmured. "She still resents me, doesn't she?"

Uncle Li placed the tray on the table, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he nodded. "Since she came to live here, Miss Hart has never truly been happy."

"She was too quiet for a teenager. Too obedient. That's not how a child her age should be."

Lucas Harris's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. "I failed her."

Sara entered her old bedroom. Everything was just as she'd left it — tidy and familiar, yet somehow distant.

She sat on the bed, her fingers trembling slightly as she picked up her phone. A message from Adrian popped up.

[Are you home?]

Sara's heart softened. She quickly typed a reply.

[Yes. I'm in my room now.]

Almost immediately, a video call came through.

Sara hesitated for a moment, wiping her face to make sure there were no lingering tears. She took a deep breath and answered.

Adrian's face appeared on the screen, his eyes filled with concern.

"Sara..."

The moment she heard his voice, her composure crumbled. Her vision blurred as tears threatened to fall again, her heart aching at the sight of him.

"I'm okay," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm really okay."

But her reddened eyes betrayed her.