Chapter 13 - The Phone That Started Everything Rang One Final TimeIt had been ten years since the night at the Velvet Room.
One evening, the old phone rang.
The same secure device Adrian had given me.
I stared.
The caller ID:
FATHER.
My heart stopped.
Impossible.
My father had been dead for years.
I answered.
Static.
Then a recording.
His voice.
“Little Bird.”
I cried.
“I left this message for the future.”
“I knew I might not be here.”
“If you're hearing this, then you have already destroyed the Crown.”
“You did what I couldn't.”
“You chose family.”
“You chose freedom.”
“You chose love.”
I smiled through tears.
Then he said:
“One last thing.”
“The key was never the necklace.”
“What was it?”
“You.”
I looked at Adrian.
The recording continued.
“Your greatest power was always your ability to refuse the life others chose for you.”
The message ended.
I held the phone.
Adrian took my hand.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
I smiled.
“Dad finally stopped worrying.”
“I think so.”
May you like
We stood together.
The past was finally quiet.
