Micah remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line. His usually handsome face was now shadowed with an unmistakable gloom. “Do you need me to…””No need.” Before Pharaoh could finish, Micah cut him off sharply.”Feelings only get in the way,” Micah said firmly. “Especially for people like us. We’re not suited for an ordinary life.”For others, starting a family, having a wife and kids was normal. But for them, it was not.They had responsibilities to the Yaren Tribe, and their status made it impossible to lead a simple, personal life.Above all, there was the memory of his mother. After she passed, his father had been lost for a long time, and though other women had come into his father’s life, they were all reflections of his mother.She had been the one sacrificed, and now, as the leader of the tribe, Micah knew he was destined to walk the same path as his father.He could not split himself between the tribe and a family. If he had no wife, no children, then no one else would have to suffer the way his mother had.Pharaoh looked into Micah’s resolute, cold eyes and understood everything. A heavy weight settled in Pharaoh’s chest, a tightness around his throat.After a few seconds, Pharaoh made a decision. “If you find those responsibilities overwhelming, perhaps you should live like Ivy.”Pharaoh always referred to Nina as “Ivy” when speaking with Micah. He felt guilty for what Nina had endured, but when it came to Micah, his son, he knew he had failed him too.From childhood, Micah had been denied the attention and guidance he deserved, and even Pharaoh’s past mistakes had become burdens for Micah to bear. No wonder Micah avoided relationships and marriage. It was all because of him. In that moment, Pharaoh felt like a criminal, guilty of the deepest sins.Micah looked at Pharaoh, stunned. It was hard to believe, but this was happening.”So, I guess I’ve benefited from Ivy,” Micah said with a faint, sarcastic smile. He did not mean to compare himself to Nina, but there was a sting of bitterness.Pharaoh did not respond. His heart ached as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand. The pain was so intense that it nearly took his breath away.Ivy was his lifelong regret.Ever since the incident that caused her to disappear without a trace, he had been consumed with thoughts of how to find her again. But there was never any news, no sign of her.He buried himself in his experiments, not just for the sake of his career and accomplishments, but because he was driven mad by the desire to bring back the one he had lost.But alas, it was all an illusion, a dream that would never come true. He had fooled himself into believing it could all be made right.Pharaoh took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Micah. I overlooked you before. Now, go do what you want to do. The tribe doesn’t have to follow a hereditary system as long as someone can lead it to a better future.”There was a peaceful smile on Pharaoh’s face, but the sadness in his eyes made Micah’s chest tighten.Pharaoh patted his shoulder. “I want you to be happy. Freya is a good woman.”Micah’s throat tightened, and just as he was about to say something, Pharaoh walked away.Soon after, Freya was wheeled out. She was pale, lying on the gurney with a heavy oxygen mask over her face.Without a word, Micah followed beside her. For him, staying by her side now was a matter of duty. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ƒ)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.