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I was on edge all day, but he made no move. In the evening, we went to a resort and had dinner there, which was an all-you-can-eat style. I became cautious to avoid poisoning, only eating food I had taken myself and from my own plate. Even when my mother and sister offered me food, I pushed it towards my father. I only went to the drink station to refill and immediately drank it, not even daring to leave the cup on the table.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZZ4oeeRGc
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After dinner, I planned to stay quietly at the resort, but my father suggested we go see a light show. As I was trying to think of an excuse, my mother and sister had already pulled me out of the restaurant. I clutched my owl recording doll tightly and held onto my mother’s hand. The light show had a large crowd, but we managed to enjoy the whole performance.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVUce3HaFC
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To my dismay, the venue was by the sea. Oh no!! The sea! My father must know I can’t swim—I'm like a sitting duck!59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMVZF01gNq
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I quickly moved back to my mother’s side, but she was following my sister at a distance, leaving me alone with my father! This was bad!
I felt a chill as if my father was getting closer and closer. Was he planning to push me into the sea?! My heart pounded, and I wondered what to do.
An idea suddenly came to me: My sister had previously charmed my father on the train, and his expression had softened. Maybe I could do the same to win him over! If I failed, I would die in the sea.
No! I had to succeed; I had to take a chance!59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALW9OPKZPW
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I gathered my courage, turned to face my father, and smiled, "This trip has been so much fun! I’ve had more time with you. You’re never home, and it makes me a little lonely. Does this owl look like you? When I see it, I think of you." I held the owl high for him to see and secretly turned on the recorder. Even if he wanted to push me into the sea, if I recorded my struggle, it would prove it wasn’t an accident but a murder!59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zUufwaQAi
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I continued, "I miss you every day, but now I’m happy you’re here." Although I said this, my mind wondered why I had to die?! Did he think I was useless to him? Did he no longer love me? Why did he want to kill me? I wanted to scream at him, to tell him I wanted to live!
But I held back my tears and the urge to shout, giving him the brightest, happiest smile I could manage, "I’ve always wanted to tell you that you’re the best dad in the world. I love you!"59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZEwnpKp0q
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After I finished speaking, the recording doll repeated my words, saying I missed him and loved him. He looked a bit shocked and touched. His eyes misted over with tears. Did I manage to change his mind? Did he give up? Did he regret planning to kill me? My mind raced with these possibilities.
At the same time, I saw my mother bringing my sister back and suggesting we should return to the resort to rest. I nodded, and my father, just like the day before, gently patted my back, saying we should go back. It seemed to have worked! I felt a huge relief, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but wonder if he really needed to kill me.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4z4oTuKWo
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To be continued…59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvO2uPB5Qz
