Confronting her own scars, Lyra was completely poised and unapologetic.
Arthur watched her, his eyes filled with genuine admiration.
"Chloe isn't you, and I am not your father. Naturally, the way you two communicate can't be copy-pasted onto my relationship with my daughter."
Saying this, Arthur suddenly let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Don't you think I wish she would just be a little more open with me? That we could just sit down and talk? But you know her awful temper! It's exactly... exactly like mine!"
Hearing that last part, Lyra burst into laughter.
"It seems you know exactly what the core issue is."
Arthur blinked, then huffed stubbornly. "Well, you can't expect the father to be the first one to cave, can you?"
In that moment, Lyra fully understood Arthur's true stance.
"I understand, Mr. Thorne."
She smiled, looking completely relaxed, genuinely thrilled for Chloe.
It was exactly as Harrison and Eleanor had always said: between family, there is no feud that can't be forgiven.
She stood up, gently massaging her slightly stiff neck. "I'll get going now, Mr. Thorne."
"Alright. Come over to the house sometime. I'll have your aunt make her famous peach tarts for you."
Arthur stood up as well, looking at Lyra with deep, undeniable affection and respect.
"Ah, if only you were my daughter. Then I wouldn't be constantly driven up the wall by that stubborn brat of mine."
Lyra looked at him with an exasperated smile. "You're just all bark and no bite. If you actually had me for a daughter, you'd be completely defenseless."
"Even if I wanted to, I'd have to get past your fiercely protective dad first!" Arthur laughed heartily. "I told him once I wanted to make you my goddaughter, and he flat out refused!"


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