Jeff fanned himself and raised his head to look at the sky. "Let me ask you a question. What would I get if I forced her to stay?"

Olivia fell silent.

Jeff added, "All I would get is resentment. She wouldn't yell at me for it, but she'd ignore me and hate me for the rest of her life. She'd lament the unfairness of the world. Her eyes would become lifeless, and her lips would never smile.

"Even if I had her with me in person, I'd never have her heart. The relationship would look fine on the surface but would actually be in ruins. That would've resulted in you having to walk on eggshells during your childhood.

"I'll never forget how you tried so hard to make her like you. You were still so young. Kids your age had no worries, but you were trying your best to win her favor. And despite your efforts, she still didn't warm up to you.

"Sooner or later, you would've become like her if we had remained a family torn by such internal conflicts.

"A peacock is only beautiful because it ha