The line remained connected. No one spoke. Then my father exhaled slowly. "I've been waiting for this call."
/
Chapter 4 / 5
Chapter 4 — Begging Too Late
Chapter 4 — Begging Too Late
That evening, Adrian asked to see me one last time.
Against everyone's advice...
I agreed.
He sat inside an interview room wearing handcuffs.
Gone were the tailored suits.
Gone was the arrogance.
His eyes were swollen from crying.
"I loved you."
I looked at him quietly.
"No."
"You loved control."
"You loved power."
"You loved believing I needed you."
His shoulders trembled.
"I didn't know who your father was."
"Exactly."
I stood.
"And that's why you showed me who you really were."
He reached toward me.
The chain stopped him.
"I'm sorry."
I stared at him for several long seconds.
Then answered with the only truth that mattered.
"I forgive you."
His eyes filled with hope.
"But forgiveness doesn't erase consequences."
May you like
I turned and walked away.
I never looked back.
