chapter169

"Oh, okay."

Watching Lydia walk out with her phone, Kylie glanced at Cameron, her thoughts written all over her face. Honey, do you think Lydia told us to head home first because she's got a date with Connor?"

Cameron nodded. "Could be. But don't you think things between them are moving a bit too fast?"

Their daughter had only been home for a few days, and now Connor was asking her out in the middle of the night. It didn't sit right with either of them.

Kylie agreed, her brows furrowing. They wanted Lydia and Connor to spend time together, to get to know each other, but a late-night meetup? What was Connor thinking?

It wasn't long before Lydia came back in, a faint, satisfied smile on her lips.

Cameron spoke up first. "Lydia, was that Connor inviting you out?"

Kylie added, "Yeah, Lydia, we really are glad you and Connor are growing closer. It makes us happy to see you like him. But why is he calling you out so late?"

Lydia realized the call had given her parents the wrong idea.

She shook her head. No, it's not like that at all. Dad, Mom, he was helping me catch someone at the company. They've already got the guy, and Connor's bringing him over now."

Connor had told her Peter tried to move the goods early, but Aiden was hiding nearby and caught everything on video. When they were halfway done, Aiden's team moved in and caught them all red-handed.

"What? You were catching someone at the company?"

Kylie and Cameron both looked stunned.

Lydia nodded. She quickly filled them in on what happened that night-how. Connor went with her Lakeview Town, what they

everything that followed. Hep

overheard at the warehouse, ael. n &

paremen

bath furious that she

been put in danger, but they were

also bursting with pride for their daughter and a new respect for Connor.

Before Lydia came back, Connor had barely set foot in the Norwood house. They only saw him on special occasions, and even then, he and Lucinda hardly spoke to each other despite being engaged. Kylie and Cameron had always noticed Connor's reluctance about the engagement, and he only never argued because of Grandpa

Samuel's pressure.

Kylie used to worry a lot. She'd complain that Connor didn't care for Lucinda at all,

and if they actually got married, things would be a mess.

But ever since Lydia returned, Connor had changed completely after just one meeting with her.

Now he was going out of his way to help Lydia, and her parents couldn't help but

feel relieved and even more satisfied with him.

"I never would have guessed Connor would look out for you better than we did," Kylie said softly. "Lydia, tonight was so risky If you didn't know how to protect yourself, don't even want to think about what could have happened."

"She's right, Lydia. We should have gone with you, or at least sent someone to watch your back, Cameron added, guilt clear in his voice.

There were more than twenty men. If Lydia hadn't been able to defend herself, who knows what might have happened? The idea alone made their hearts ache with anger.

Lydia laughed lightly. Really, you don't have to blame yourselves. I'm fine, see? And honestly, those guys were pathetic. They never stood a chance against me." Cameron looked at her, pride shining in his eyes. Lydia, you're incredible."

Kylie nodded, her voice full of warmth. "You really are. Whether it's how you handle yourself or how you deal with problems at work, you're always so sharp and fearless."

She watched Lydia with so much affection; she wanted nothing more than to pull her into a hug and shower her with kisses.

It was such a shame they hadn't been there for her when she was little. They'd missed out on hugging her, loving her, giving her the family she deserved. Instead, she'd had to suffer in the Smith family's home.

For someone so young, Lydia had learned so much and grown so strong. Even the things she'd said to Rose earlier were so deep, Kylie couldn't help but feel her daughter understood life better than she ever had.