[17] b

"It's still there," Fathia mumbled.

"And the balance?"

Fathia remained silent.

"The balance, Fathia," Sebastian pressed the question with a limit. If he didn't get an answer immediately, especially if Fathia seemed to be avoiding it, Sebastian couldn't control his emotions for long. But sometimes Sebastian forgot that this girl often acted as she pleased. Just like now.

Instead, Fathia ran towards him, sat on his lap, and hugged him. She chose to bury herself in Sebastian's chest and repeatedly apologized. Sebastian wanted to let go, but then he felt the small girl's shoulders shaking with sobs.

"Forgive me, Sebastian. I've run out of pocket money."

Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment. The hand he usually used to gently stroke Fathia's long hair hesitated in the air. He was restraining his rising anger. Her sobbing intensified, causing Sebastian to eventually sigh heavily. He wiped his own face a bit roughly and said, "Okay. I forgive you