Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO CHOSE HER FREEDOM
Kalantha met Victor Ashbourne in a lawyer's office.
Declan accompanied her at her request.
Victor looked older.
Tired.
His expensive suit hung loosely on his shoulders.
“Kalantha.”
She sat across from him.
“Father.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she placed the forged documents on the table.
“Did you sign my name?”
Victor looked down.
Silence.
Kalantha's heart sank.
“Answer me.”
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes.
“Why?”
Victor rubbed his face.
“I was desperate.”
Kalantha laughed bitterly.
“So you used me.”
He looked up.
“I was trying to protect the family.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
Her voice strengthened.
“You were protecting yourself.”
Victor began crying.
Kalantha stared.
For years, she'd wanted her father to admit the truth.
Now he was finally doing it.
But it didn't erase what he'd done.
She stood.
“I won't carry your debts anymore.”
Victor looked up.
“Kalantha—”
“No.”
She took a breath.
“I'll cooperate with the legal process.”
Her eyes filled.
“But I'm done paying for your choices.”
Declan stood beside her.
He didn't speak.
Didn't threaten Victor.
Didn't take over.
He simply waited.
Outside, Kalantha looked at him.
“You didn't say anything.”
Declan smiled faintly.
“You didn't need me to.”
Her eyes filled.
“No.”
She took his hand.
“I didn't.”
For the first time, Declan understood something.
Protecting Kalantha didn't mean standing in front of her.
May you like
Sometimes it meant standing beside her.
And letting her speak for herself.
