Inside the cottage, Sara stroked An Li's hair and used her own story to counsel her.
"Later, she discovered she was pregnant. She went to that man and told him to take responsibility."
"That man didn't want to take responsibility. He made all sorts of excuses—he wasn't ready yet, the academy wouldn't allow it, they could talk about it later."
Sara's fingers gently combed through An Li's hair.
"She told him that if he wouldn't take responsibility, she would handle it her own way."
"She didn't say what she meant by handle it, but the man could see it in her eyes. He got scared."
An Li's voice was very soft.
"Father was forced to marry you?"
Sara smiled.
"He was forced, but he didn't run away or shirk his responsibility."
"He found his mentor and paid a great price to help me leave the academy, then brought me to this small city."
"He gave up everything at the academy, gave up his chance to advance, gave up that flirtatious lifestyle. He stayed by my side for more than a decade."
An Li lowered her head and looked at her fingers.
"I was lucky. I met a soft-hearted scumbag." Sara lifted An Li's chin, making her look into her eyes.
"But you can't place your hopes on someone else's soft heart. There aren't many people like your father in this world."
"Most men will turn around and leave without looking back once there's nothing left to gain from you."
An Li's eyes reddened again.
"Mother, then what can I do? I don't have talent as a Wizard or a mage. I can't do anything."
Sara took the book from the windowsill, flipped to a certain page, and pointed it out to An Li.
"There's a sentence written here: fate must