Zuko smiled softly, affirming, "It will definitely happen."
"Alright, enough with the sentimentality, you two," Toph chuckled and pointed, diverting their attention. "Look, who's that over there?"
Lina followed Toph's finger, her gaze falling upon two middle-aged individuals making their way toward them, their steps unsteady and cautious. The pier's uneven surface caused them to stumble occasionally, but their determination to see their daughter remained unyielding.
Lina's heart tightened, rendering her momentarily motionless. She observed the anxiety etched on their faces and the cautious longing in their eyes. Despite their distinguished attire, which made them stand out in the crowd, their movements appeared unsteady and disheveled.
A clenched fist rested tightly by Lina's side, her heart seemingly ready to leap out of her throat.
Nicholas and Linda, supporting each other, hastened their pace until they reached a certain distance from Lina. Suddenly, they came to a halt, unsure whether to proceed or retreat. Advancing further might elicit uncertainty regarding their daughter's reception, yet retreating seemed equally difficult for them.
Linda hesitated. Her desire to move forward quelled as Nicholas pulled her back, preventing her from taking a step.
"Stay put... D-Don't startle her," Nicholas pleaded, his voice filled with anguish.
Linda's heart ached profoundly. This man, who had been rough and unrestrained throughout his life, now hesitated to approach his daughter.
Hand in hand, Nicholas and Linda inched forward, carefully treading the path. Over the past 20 years, they had envisioned countless scenarios of finding their daughter, but none of them resembled the reality unfolding before them.
Standing face to face with their daughter, they could only gaze at her in a daze, unable to utter a single word. The sight pierced Lina's heart, stirring a twinge of pain within her.
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