Chapter 7 - Nora Finally Reunited With Her Father, and He Told Her Why He Had Trusted Vincent Long Before She Ever Met Him
Nora met her father at a quiet lake house.
She cried before he even spoke.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To keep you alive.”
“You lied.”
“I did.”
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
She hugged him anyway.
He looked at Emma.
“Our granddaughter.”
Nora smiled.
Her father told her everything.
He and Vincent's father had been trying to destroy the Black Rose for years.
They had failed because Rose knew their families better than anyone.
She used Derek.
She used Victor's company.
She used corrupt officials.
She used fear.
But she never anticipated love.
Her father smiled at Vincent.
“You changed her.”
Vincent shook his head.
“She changed me.”
Her father looked at them.
“That is what I hoped for.”
Nora stared.
“Hoped?”
“Yes.”
“What did you know?”
“That one day you would meet.”
She laughed.
“You arranged our marriage?”
“No.”
He smiled.
“Love doesn't work that way.”
He handed Nora a final letter.
From her mother.
My daughter,
If you're reading this, then you've survived the life we were afraid to give you.
Please don't inherit our fear.
You don't have to become strong by becoming hard.
You can be soft and still survive.
Nora cried.
She gave the letter to Vincent.
They sat together.
May you like
For the first time, the past felt complete.
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