Chapter 9
Chapter 9
I moved back into the estate my mother left me.
Every tree, every room, every corner–exactly as I remembered.
The first thing I did? Fired all the staff.
Dad had replaced the entire household years ago with his own people. I didn’t want a single one of them left.
Living alone in that big, empty house should’ve felt lonely.
Instead, it felt like peace.
One afternoon, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
“Miss Montgomery? This is the detention center. Richard Montgomery has requested to see you p>
I went silent for a moment.
Then I agreed.
Some things needed closure.
The visitation room was cold and sterile.
When they brought him in, I barely recognized him.
In just two weeks, he’d aged twenty years.
His hair had gone completely gray. His face was gaunt and lined. The prison jumpsuit hung off his shrinking frame, and his eyes–once sharp and calculating–were dull and hollow.
The powerful CEO was gone.
This was just a broken old man. Fresh chapters posted on
He stared at me for a long time before speaking.
“You’ve lost weight p>
That’s all he said.
I didn’t respond. Just watched him.
“I didn’t think…” He let out a bitter laugh. “ I didn’t think you remembered. I thought you were too young to understand p>
“I wasn’t too young,” I said quietly. “I just didn’t WANT to understand p>
He looked down at his cuffed hands.
“Vivian… I know I messed up. I know I don’t deserve to ask you for anything p>
His voice cracked.
Chapter 9
“But please. For the sake of the fact that I’m still your father… can you let Jade go p>
Tears rolled down his weathered face.
“She’s the only daughter I have left p>
I stared at him.
And then I laughed.
Even NOW–even after everything–she was still the only one he cared about.
“Tather p>
I leaned forward slightly.
“ When you left me on that mountain to DIE, did you remember you were MY father then? ”
He had no answer.
I stood up, ready to leave.
“Don’t worry. I won’t touch her.
“The law will give her exactly what she deserves p>
I paused at the threshold and glanced back one last time.
“Oh. One more thing.
“I came back from the dead. You probably don’t understand what that means, and that’s fine. But I need you to know something.
“In my last life, you said the exact same thing to me. You said I ‘died for a worthy cause‘ by saving Jade p>
I let that sink in.
“Well, Dad. The tables have turned p>
I opened the door.
“Enjoy the rest of your life in here. And maybe, you’ll finally figure out what ‘dying for a worthy cause‘ actually means p>
Then I walked out and didn’t look back.
I walked out into the bright afternoon sun.
The light was almost blinding.
I lifted a hand to shield my eyes and took a long, deep breath.
The air tasted like freedom.
My phone buzzed. Zeke.
[You done yet? We’re all at the beach waiting on you. Got the grill fired up and beer on ice p>
I smiled.
For the first time in what felt like forever, it was genuine.
I typed back quickly.
Chapter 9
[On my way p>
I slipped my phone into my pocket and started walking.
My life was finally beginning.
A fresh start.
On my own terms.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.