?<strong>Chapter 776:</strong>


    “Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself. Fannie never held you up against some ideal of perfect parents. So why insist she live up to every one of your expectations?”


    Fannie stole a quick nce at her parents, who appeared utterly dumbfounded. It seemed they had never been addressed so boldly before.


    “I still insist, if you don’t want Fannie, I’ll look after her myself.” Bobby then left with Fannie, his face lit with a mischievous grin.


    As Fannie was ushered into the car, Bobby carefully secured her seatbelt. She couldn’t remember ever being treated with such care and attention.


    Once he was settled in the driver’s seat, Fannie ventured a question. “Aren’t you worried my parents might not ept you as their son-inw after the way you spoke to them?”


    “Why should I be worried? Even if my parents were to mistreat you, I’d stand up for you without hesitation.”


    In Fannie’s life, Bobby was the first person who had ever stood up for her.


    “Thank you,” she murmured, her gratitude genuine.


    Bobby shed her a quick smile. “Touched so soon?” he teased, his usual charm flickering briefly.


    Fannie brushed away a tear, defiantly retorting, “No!”


    “Wow, you’re really hard to figure out!” Bobby teased her further, yfully tousling her hair. His smile faded as he thought of his own family. A shadow of sadness crossed his face. “I never really bonded with my parents. They didn’t show much interest in me before I hit middle school, so I’ve learned not to care much about them either.”


    The rare moment of vulnerability revealed the depths of Bobby’s feelings for Fannie. In his world, nothing and no one mattered more to him than her.


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    But Fannie was too focused on the heartbreak in his words to notice the profession.


    Bobby’s parents must have failed him over and over for him to grow this apathetic.


    Her heart swelled, perhaps not only with empathy for his pain but also with her growing affection for him.


    The feeling was so strong that Fannie felt an urge to take him into her arms and soothe his aching heart.


    If her embrace could ease the wounds of his unhappy childhood, even for a moment, she’d take that chance.


    So, she reached for him. Bobby sensed her nervousness, but her gentle eyes told him he could trust her with his broken past.


    There was no pretense or lust in the embrace they shared, only the sce of understanding the depths of their lonely souls. Her warmth brought him an immense sense offort and security he hadn’t felt in years.


    “I can’t change the past, but I’m here for you, Bobby. It might take a long time to heal from the wounds of your past, but I want you to know that you won’t be alone this time. No matter how long it takes, you’ll have me by your side.”


    Her words tugged deeply at Bobby’s heart, leaving him speechless. His grip tightened around her.


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