Kyra’s POV
The hospital room was too quiet as I stared at the small black flash drive in my hand. My heart was pounding. Whatever ssage my father left on this thing could change everything. I’d spent years blaming myself for his death, thinking I’d abandoned him when he needed most.
"You don’t have to watch it now," Nathan said softly from beside . "It can wait until you’re stronger."
I shook my head, gripping the drive tighter. "No, I need to know what’s on it."
Sylvia, my wolf, stirred inside . "We need closure," she whispered in my mind. "Whatever the truth is, we’ve carried this pain long enough."
Nathan nodded and pulled his laptop from his bag, setting it on the hospital table over my bed. "I’m right here," he promised, sliding onto the bed next to .
The laptop ca to life.
With shaking fingers, I put in the flash drive. A single video file appeared.
I took a deep breath and clicked play.
Suddenly my father’s face filled the screen. The sight of him smiling, really smiling, took my breath away. He looked healthier than I rembered. His eyes were clear and bright. Not the broken man I’d left behind.
"Hello, my darling angel."
I gasped, my hand flying to cover my mouth. His voice was clear, without the slurred speech that had beco normal after his accident. He could speak normally. All this ti, he’d been pretending.
"I’ve recovered," he said, as if hearing my thoughts. "I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I saw how you loved Kieran, and I didn’t want to ruin your happiness. I hoped he could make you happy the way you deserve."
Tears burned my eyes. "You idiot," I whispered to the screen.
He laughed softly. "You probably think I’m stupid right now."
I laughed through my tears. Nathan’s thumb gently wiped them away.
"I was wrong," my father continued, his face growing serious. "I shouldn’t have trusted my daughter to such a dangerous man, no matter how much he claid to love you."
"Daddy..." The word ca out childlike and raw. The little girl in who adored her father felt like she was breaking.
His smile returned, warm and familiar. "I know you’re crying. Don’t cry, my baby girl. Daddy is so proud of you for growing into soone so kind and beautiful."
Nathan rubbed my back as I sobbed.
"If you’re watching this now," my father continued, his voice getting softer, "I’m probably in heaven with your mother."
I swallowed hard. "I know you’re happy with her."
"I’m sorry for leaving you behind, Kyra, my darling."
"I was the one who left you behind, Dad," I cried to the screen, knowing he couldn’t hear .
"I wanted to be with your mom."
My breath caught. Did he choose to die?
He wiped away his own tears. "I’ve been wanting to be with her, but I fought it because I still wanted to see you. To feel your warm hugs. To see my good daughter make her old man happy one more ti."
I cried harder now. I’d never understood how much pain he was in.
"I lost you, Kyra. You didn’t lose . And I’m sorry that I left. You made happy, but there was a hole in my heart that only being with your mother could fill."
"Did you jump on purpose?" I asked the screen, my voice breaking.
"I want you to escape, my little girl," he continued, unable to hear . "I know you love Kieran, but please don’t be blinded by his kindness. And Amanda, I never loved her the way I loved your mom. I tried loving her and Kieran’s mother, but my love for your mother wouldn’t let . I feel bad for them, but I would choose you and your mom over and over again."
He leaned closer to the cara. "So please, run. Run and never look back, my little angel. Daddy will be fine. Find the happiness you deserve. Find the life you wanted. Don’t feel guilty. Don’t feel bad. I chose this path, and I’ll be happy with the decision I made."
I nodded slowly, wiping away tears. "Yes, Dad. I will be happy."
"Goodbye, my sweetheart," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Your face will be carved in my soul, and in another life, I hope I can be your father again. I promise I won’t ss up."
"Goodbye, Daddy," I whispered as the screen went dark. "Be happy with Mommy."
Nathan pulled into his arms as I sobbed against his chest. His heartbeat was steady under my ear, reminding that I wasn’t alone anymore.
"He didn’t say he would end his life," I managed between sobs. "Kieran told Amanda pushed him out the window. I don’t even know what’s true anymore."
"What matters is that he loved you," Nathan said softly, stroking my hair. "He wanted you to be happy and free from guilt."
I pulled back slightly, looking up into Nathan’s eyes. "He knew. Sohow, he knew what Kieran was planning. He sacrificed himself so I could escape."
"Your father was a brave man," Nathan said.
I nodded, feeling peace begin to settle over . The guilt, the regret, all of it began to lift. My father had made his choice, and in his own way, he’d found peace. Now it was ti for to find mine.
"Thank you," I whispered, not sure if I was speaking to Nathan or to my father’s mory.
"For what?" Nathan asked, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"For being here. For helping face this." I looked at the blank screen. "I’ve been running from this pain for so long, but now I think I can finally let it go."
He pressed his forehead to mine. "That’s all your father wanted for you. To be happy, to move forward."
"I know," I said softly. "And that’s what I’m going to do."
I closed my eyes and leaned into Nathan’s embrace, feeling lighter than I had in years. All the guilt and regret from losing my father was finally gone. I think this is why even though Kieran showed he regretted everything, I couldn’t forgive him. Because he owed peace, and he finally gave that peace.
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