Chapter 602

After Terry placed the teacups on the table, Itijah slowly opened his mouth to speak.

"Your mother's gone," he told Austin. "Even so, she's still a part of the Emerson family."

"She's not," said Austin curtly. A vein pulsed on his temple, and he felt anger rising within him. "My mom goes by the name Dahlia Campbell."

Itijah laughed heartily. "But the blood that flowed in her veins makes her a part of the Emerson family."

"So what?" Austin spat.

The smile on Itijah's face vanished without a trace, replaced by sorrow and sadness.

"I should've told you about this during the funeral," he explained. "But your father was emotionally unstable at that time. I had to keep it a secret from you until this day."

He looked up and stared into Austin's eyes. "Dahlia was born in the Emerson family. Although she's gone, she's still a part of our family. I was wrong for treating her so badly back then."

He continued, "She's no longer alive, but I've wronged her and want to atone for my s