Chapter 408: Chapter 301: Cowboy
You only get one chance. Once you miss it, it’s gone.
’What’s the use of talking about this now?’ Yves knew in his heart. ’No amount of regret can change the decision I made back then.’
’Since I chose that path, I have to bear the consequences.’
’All I can hope for now is to win custody of Fiona. It’ll be enough just to give my daughter a good life.’
Continuing to answer Feng Mountain’s questions, Yves took a deep breath and went on.
"My parents were always against me dropping out of school, and they didn’t approve of my marriage to Valerie. They even threatened to disown me if I insisted on going my own way."
"In the end, I married Valerie against their wishes. After that, I never spoke to my parents again. It’s a shame, looking back, but at the time, I was dead set on walking my own path."
"It was only after getting married that I truly understood the hardships of being an adult. To make a living, I found a job shoveling cow dung in town. The work was filthy and exhausting, but I had no choice. I had to earn money to support my family."
"Valerie worked at a bar. The two of us were running around like crazy every day, but even so, life was a struggle. We often couldn’t make ends meet. Things got even tougher after Fiona was born. As a father, I couldn’t even afford to buy her formula. That feeling of powerlessness... it still breaks my heart to think about it."
"Later, I saw a recruitment ad. I thought maybe the army could be a way out, a chance to earn more money and give my family a better life. So, I steeled my heart, left the small town, and joined the military."
"Back then, Valerie wasn’t like she is now. It was probably because of the bar... she got corrupted by those bastards."
"When I came back from my service, I found that Valerie had changed so much I barely recognized her."
"Actually, when I first got back to town, I heard some bad things about Valerie from other people. At the time, I figured it was because I wasn’t there for her, and it must have been incredibly hard for her on her own. So I tried to be as understanding as I could, thinking that if she could just change for the better, our family could still have a good life together."
"Until that day... That bastard Black Eye showed up at our house, and he was about to do something terrible to Fiona. I just snapped. My PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) kicked in, and I completely lost control. I grabbed a baseball bat and, inch by inch, I broke both of Black Eye’s legs. And... his third leg. Then, like a madman, I dragged him all the way from my house to the bar. The sky was so blue that day, but all I could see was hatred."
"Xia Li told me later that my eyes were blood-red. A cowboy’s hatred can only be repaid in blood. Just as I was about to execute Black Eye with my gun, Valerie rushed forward and stood in front of him."
"It was in that moment that I realized all my efforts over the years might have meant nothing to her. It wasn’t until I saw the tears on Fiona’s face that I snapped out of that crazed state and came to my senses."
"The next day, I filed for divorce. I was completely disheartened, thinking that maybe leaving was the best option. Besides, I didn’t think I was in any state to take proper care of Fiona, so I gave custody to Valerie. Looking back on it now, that was probably the worst decision I’ve ever made in my life."
As Yves spoke, his face was filled with remorse and self-blame, his eyes revealing a deep sense of guilt toward his daughter.
’Talk about a roller coaster of a life.’
’Yves’s journey had been truly tragic.’
’Honestly, compared to my own past, what Yves went through was just awful.’
’His future, his relationship, his family, his child...’
’It was all a complete mess.’
’This could probably only happen abroad, where foreigners have a more open-minded view of marriage. If this were back home, after so many ups and downs, after this whole ordeal, what man could possibly endure it?’
Feng Mountain was deeply moved. He reached out, gently patted Yves’s shoulder, and said comfortingly,
"Buddy, you don’t have to say any more. I get it. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you get custody of Fiona back."
"Daddy!"
Just then, a clear cry rang out.
Fiona, dressed in an adorable little cowgirl outfit, darted out from behind the counter like a little elf. She dove straight into Yves’s arms, her small hands clutching his clothes tightly as she nuzzled her head against his chest. The sight of her complete dependence was heart-wrenching.
Following behind Fiona was Xia Li, her eyes welling with tears. She hurried out and threw her arms around Yves and his daughter. Her voice was choked with emotion, but she tried her best to sound gentle.
"It’s all going to be okay. Everything will pass. God protects every kind person."
Seeing this, Feng Mountain frowned slightly.
’I feel like a third wheel in this tender moment.’ He glanced back at Director Roland, who was watching the scene with rapt attention, and gave him a look that said, ’Let’s go.’ Feng Mountain then stepped out of the cowboy shop to get some fresh air and give them some private space.
After the two of them left the cowboy shop, Feng Mountain sat right down on the steps in front. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and lit it. He took a long, deep drag, and the curling smoke slowly rose, slightly easing the heavy feeling in his chest.
"Give me one." Seeing this, Director Roland scooted over, took a cigarette, and sat down on the steps beside him. His gaze fell upon the old-fashioned town street before them. After a moment of silence, as if he had made up his mind, he spoke slowly, "If he can’t get custody this time, I’ll use my connections to help Yves. Even if it means a legal battle that lasts for years, I can afford it."
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