Chapter 96

"Please, Hazel, forgive us," her father's voice cracked with emotion, his eyes welling up with tears. 

"We were blinded by our own fears and doubts. We let our protectiveness of Layla cloud our judgment, and we failed you, our own daughter. We failed to see the truth, to see the pain and hurt we were causing you. We failed to be the parents you deserved."

He took a step forward, his hands reaching out in a pleading gesture.

 "We know we can't undo the harm that's been done, but we want to try to make it right. We want to be a part of your life again, to support you, to love you. We want to be the parents you need us to be."

Hazel's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on her father's face. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the genuine remorse. But she could also see the doubt, the fear that she would reject them again.

"You want to be a part of my life again?" she repeated, her voice flat. 

"You want to be parents to me again? After everyt