yself, but even breathing felt difficult. Mom couldn't stop sobbing, and nothing could comfort her. Watching her grief broke my

ld recover, but then he was suddenly gone. I couldn't tell whether

sented me, I had still loved him because he was my fath

?" Harry asked after he

me. His unexpected concern lowered my guard and left me exposed. He had never

hough my strained voice b

or perhaps I had already cried every tear I had for him. I didn't know. For the momen

d nothing, and his stone-cold eyes held no trace of affection. Nothing about that surpr

ou want?"

the hospital. She should arrive soon, but s

er name still affected him. Any warmth he had shown me disappeared at once, and the

muttered because I couldn't

dering how much she hated me, I doubted she would e

l and stay out of her way," my mother interj

asking me to do someth

completely broken. I won't allow you to hurt her again, especially now that your fathe

Hadn't I suffered enough for the foolish choices I made w

ur daughter too? Or have you al

ore she could answer. All I wanted

ered calling me when they treated me like a stranger who was only there because family duty demanded it? Part of me

ughter?" A nurse approached and

nd tried to calm m

examining his body now," she said ge

me a moment

ded. I owed him one final act of respect. I would arrange a proper funeral for him and finally close the door on eve

rd the cold metal table. Dad lay there without moving, and his peaceful face made him look

Dad," I

g room. With every step away from his body, I also let go of th

ight. I chose a seat away from them and thought about what came next. Staying out of their lives wouldn't be easy, but I had

till as stunning as I remembered, with golden hair, long legs, and a heart

her. Those words sounded like they came from a world where I had never be

e second he saw her, his knees almost gave

ed, his voice rou

seemed to disappear. A second later, they rushed into each oth

destroyed what little strength I had left. In that moment, the truth became pa

y eyes, the last pieces of hope I