NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: Depths of grief: Liberated by dreams (41)
A wave of sadness washed over her as she nodded and slowly got up from her chair. Right before she reached the door handle, a sudden urge made her pause. She turned back, feeling an intense, almost desperate desire to say something-anything- that might make him reconsider. Cesar was still writing down stuff and said, " Are you just gonna stand there? Or are you going to keep standing there like a lost soul? "
A deep sigh escaped her lips, a silent acknowledgement that there was nothing more she could do. Closing the door firmly, she walked away now, realizing what she had hoped for might never happen. Starfania couldn't help but feel foolish for believing that things could turn out differently. Glancing back one last time, she allowed herself to reflect- and carried the weight of disappointment, but determined to carry on.
What Starfania didn't know was her father was standing behind the door, quietly observing his daughter's turmoil. His gaze softened, and his eyes fell upon a framed photo resting on his desk- a snapshot of a time before everything changed. It was a picture of his wife and children, all smiling, their faces full of joy and innocence. His expression grew somber as he traced the edge of the photo with his fingertip, lost in his memories of the past. His voice was barely above a whisper as he picked it up and said. " I've failed you in ways I can never mend. It's hard because I miss you both-so much that it aches every day. However, I promised you. That I would protect them, but it seems I'm not even doing a good job on that. "
After a long pause, he inhaled deeply and cleared the tears forming in his eyes. Cesar gently placed the photo back on the desk and slowly sat down in his chair. Taking a glance at the picture once more to see a young Starfania holding her baby brother with a bright smile on her face. He then said, " I deeply apologies, my little star. I long to hold you, to tell you how much I love you, but I can't. I hope one day you'll forgive me. It's difficult, but I promise I'll make it up to you. One day, you'll heal this world and become even stronger than you are now. I'll be supporting you from the shadows. I'm so proud of you; you're my greatest accomplishment. "
With that, he let out a deep sigh, his heart heavy but resolute, and turned his gaze back to the paperwork, knowing one day his heart will heal.