Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 165

Chapter 165 Her Custody Rights

Joseph stood still, watching as Deborah brushed past him without even sparing him an extra glance.

Even though he had anticipated it to sotne extent before this.

But when the moment truly arrived, it still felt as if my heart had suddenly become empty.

That feeling of emptiness engulfing him made him feel as if he had lost all strength, almost causing him

to collapse.

But he endured without moving, persisting in standing still.

Over the past three years, he had deceived Deborah, even keeping the fact that she had a daughter a

secret from her.

He thought Alyssa was dead, but surprisingly, Alyssa was still alive.

If it weren’t for the child’s good fortune, they would not have been raised by the Moxley family.

In the three years that Deborah had lost her memory, it’s hard to imagine what that child must have

gone through.

Deborah ignored everyone else, her gaze fixed solely on Alyssa, who was standing not too far away.

On Alyssa’s face, there was a calmness and indifference that didn’t match her age.

I used to imagine how excited I would be when the day came that my mother would think of me.

But now, when the moment has truly arrived, there seems to be surprisingly little turbulence within my

heart.

Because it was quite clear that this day would always come, Deborah would eventually think of her, and

it was impossible to truly forget her completely.

Deborah walked up to her and raised her hand, wanting to gently pat her head.

The child has grown quite a bit, looking very different from the delicate and frail image in Deborah’s

memory.

Especially three years ago, she had short, thin, and yellowish hair, but now it has turned into beautiful,

long, and

black hair.

Deborah’s hand was about to touch her head, but it stopped mid-air, not making contact with her.

Deborah couldn’t hold back the immense feelings of guilt and helplessness, and softly said, “Alyssa,

I’m sorry.”

The child she once carried with her day and night has grown up so much now.

After three years, she even felt a touch of unfamiliarity.

Alyssa pursed her lips, watching as her hand moved towards her own head. Suddenly, she reached out

and tightly embraced Deborah.

The child has grown quite tall in the past few years, and now they’re almost as tall as Deborah’s

shoulders.

Just like three years ago, she sweetly called Deborah, “Mommy.”

Deborah had just regained her memory, and that sudden feeling of emptiness and helplessness, as if

she couldn’t find her footing, was greatly alleviated the moment Alyssa embraced her.

No matter how cruel the past may have been, the fact that her daughter is still alive now is her greatest

fortune and unexpected joy.

There’s not enough time to talk about everything now, and Deborah’s eyes red as she gently stroked

Alyssa’s head in her arms, glancing sideways at Steven.

“Mr. Moxley, thank you for the kindness you and the Moxley family have shown to Alyssa. I will

definitely visit your soon to express my gratitude properly. May 1 take Alyssa with me for a few days?”

Steven laughed and said, “Of course I don’t mind, the kid couldn’t be happier. But as for your gratitude,

I really don’t deserve it. I wasn’t the one who saved Alyssa, and I haven’t been the one raising her all

these years.”

Alyssa couldn’t wait any longer and wished she could leave with Deborah right away. She tilted her

head, looking somewhat impatiently at Steven, and whispered, “Steven, stop talking so much.”

Steven laughed helplessly, with a look of resignation on his face, “Just look at her.”

Deborah smiled warmly as she held Alyssa’s hand tightly, “Thank you so much, Mr. Moxley. In a few

days, I will personally bring Alyssa back to Moxley Manor.”

No matter how you look at it, Alyssa has been living with the Moxley family for the past three years.

Over the past three years, the Moxley family, especially Adrian, has developed deep affection for

Alyssa.

Even if Deborah is her biological mother, it’s impossible for them to recognize each other as mother

and daughter after three years and for her to immediately take Alyssa away completely.

As for the future arrangements, Deborah thought it would be best to discuss them with the Moxley

family.

It’s just that now, she suddenly regained her memory, and for a moment, she found it difficult to calm

down.

Moreover, there’s another matter…

Deborah turned around and looked at Ashton, who was standing not far behind her, remaining silent all

this time.

“Perhaps we need to make some revisions and additions to the divorce agreement.”

On that matter, there was no mention of the custody arrangement for Alyssa.

Alyssa immediately looked at Ashton with caution. “There’s no way I can be with you.”

Ashton no longer wanted to fight for it. Seeing Alyssa say this without hesitation, a hint of

embarrassment still

flashed across his face.

He spoke up, “It’s better for the child to be with their mother. I won’t fight for custody.” Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Deborah was very concerned about the situation and, without considering that there were other people

present, she directly discussed the matter with Ashton.

“As long as you sign a guarantee to give up custody of Alyssa, I can choose not to pursue any past

issues. You can also propose other conditions, and if I can meet them, I will do my best to fulfill them.”

After a long silence, Ashton intended to magnanimously say that he had no demands.

After some thought, he finally spoke up, “I have only one condition. I hope that you… I hope Alyssa can

stay in Richmond. If that’s not possible, at least let her visit Richmond occasionally. I just want to be

able to see her from time to time.”

Deborah does have some understanding of the law in this area.

She said softly, “Of course, Alyssa is your daughter too. If you give up custody, you still have visitation

rights, and you

can see her from time to time.”

Alyssa grumbled a bit unwillingly, “Who wants him to visit? I don’t want to see him.”

She looked at Ashton indifferently, “You can visit less often. If you’re really worried or feeling guilty, just

give my

mom more child support.”

Ashton was momentarily at a loss for words, and after a while, he finally nodded, “All right.”

Alyssa was already holding Deborah’s hand, turning around and walking straight towards the end of the

hallway.

Joseph caught up and said cautiously, “Why don’t you take Alyssa and stay in our old house? I’ll move

out. It’s close to Christmas, and it’s not easy to find a place outside.”

Deborah stopped walking, but didn’t turn her head. She simply replied, “No need, I’m staying outside.

It’s a good opportunity to take Alyssa out to relax and explore a bit.”

After she finished speaking, she left. Joseph’s heart was hanging, feeling uneasy and unsettled.

As the thought crossed his mind that he shouldn’t follow her, he knew that when she was in a bad

mood, the last thing she wanted was someone constantly pestering her.

However, her feet seemed to have a mind of their own. As Deborah walked away, they followed her,

maintaining a few steps of distance between them.

Deborah and Alyssa waited together by the elevator door, anticipating its arrival.

Joseph stood behind them, not daring to make a sound.

Deborah turned around and looked at him, “You should

go

back.”

Joseph looked uneasy and said cautiously, “Debby.”

Deborah’s tone softened a bit, “Let’s talk about it in a few days. I want to spend some time with Alyssa

first.”

Joseph could only nod, “All right.”

Deborah led Alyssa into the elevator.

Joseph watched the elevator doors close, feeling inexplicably anxious.