Reforming a Rake

"Father, where are we going?" Alessandra, who was just ten years old at the time, asked her father Benjamin.

The man cast a glance in the direction of his daughter before returning his attention to the road.

Before responding to his daughter, he inhaled deeply and paused for a moment. "Sandy, we are going to the city. A long journey from this village." He uttered his words in a feeble and halting manner.

Benjamin was unable to hold back the tears that were welling up in his eyes.

"But, daddy, why are you crying?" There was a concern in her tone.

Benjamin Robbins did not respond and instead continued to drive his car without stopping. However, just a few minutes later, he can't help but start crying.

"Alessandra, I'm sorry. Please forgive me your father,"

"Huh?”

Benjamin reached for his daughter's little hands and grabbed them. "Because from now on, you won't have a complete family anymore. Your mother left us and went to live with another man. I don't want to lie to you in any way, honey. But, your mother ended up living with a rich man. And there is no way she will return," His voice trembled

Even though Alessandra did not have a complete comprehension of what was happening, it appeared as though her tears had a mind of their own and were able to fall freely from her eyes.

"W-What? Did mother leave us? But she loves us... right?"

"I'm sorry, Sandy, but I can't answer that question. But, the only thing I can confirm is that going forward, it will just be the two of us. We are going to live quite far away from this town. We will put this unfortunate event in the past, and from this day forward, you can count on me as both your mother and your father. Forgive me, Sandy. I can't give you a complete family anymore,"

Alessandra curled her bottom lip and gave her father a tight hug. “I… I understand, dad. I'll always be with you. I'm not going to leave you, dad. Never,"

"I love you, Sandy. You are my little princess, my baby. You are the only person I have in my life, and the thought of losing you would be too much for me to take. I'll do everything in my power to make your life better and provide you with a promising future," The expression of anxiety and worry could be seen on Benjamin's face.

"That won't happen, dad. I will never leave you like what mom did. I love you too, daddy." Sandy said with a smile, but it quickly vanished as she saw something in the road.

"Sandy? Why? Is there any problem?"

"What do you think of my academics, dad? My friends?" Alessandra sighed.

"Once we go to the city, Sandy, you will find it easy to meet new people and form new friendships. And you are going to transfer to a new school. There are more kids like your age. You will expand your circle of acquaintances." The way he is speaking to her is reassuring.

Benjamin revived the car's engine. They had put in a lot of miles by the time they spotted something not too distant from them.