Hawthorne Everhart wasing with her to see her father, and suddenly, Gwh Langford felt a wave of inexplicable nerves sweep through her.


    The old solemn, heavy air seemed to dissolve in an instant, reced by a fluttering anxiety she tried hard to hide. She was afraid Hawthorne might notice her unease, so she didn''t protest when he offered to apany her.


    Watching the two of them leave side by side, Thorpe Langford let out a long sigh. "Well, I suppose it''s time this chapter finally came to an end."


    Gwh made her way to the private clinic where McNeil Langford had been staying all these years. For Hawthorne, it was the first time seeing the man in person. Even after so many years in aa, McNeil still radiated a sharp,manding presence-as if the sheer force of his character lingered around him, undimmed by time.


    Even from a distance, the sight of him was both daunting and heartbreaking. McNeil''s eyes were closed, his face at peace, as if merely sleeping. Gwh felt her nose sting with the threat of tears.


    "Dad... I''m sorry. Gwyn''se home to see you."


    She had so much she wanted to say to him, but now, sitting at his bedside, she couldn''t find a ce to start.


    Her phone suddenly rang, making her jump. Victoria Turner''s name shed on the screen, but she let the call go unanswered.


    "Take your time," Hawthorne said gently. "I''ll wait outside."


    He was tactful enough to give her space. He had seen McNeil now, and whatever old grudges he''d once held-seeing the man like this, barely more than a memory -those wounds seemed pointless. Revenge was meaningless against someone already lost to the world.


    He stepped out to the smoking area, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. The wind tore the smoke away from his lips, carrying it off until only the faintest trace lingered in the air.


    Inside, Gwh sat quietly. In her memories, her father had always looked just like this. More than a decade had passed-she had grown up, but her father remained unchanged.


    Her mother, on the other hand, had matured with the years, her beauty deepened and the innocence of new motherhood long gone. She had be a truly elegant woman.


    Fate had always seemed to favor the Langford family. No real storms had touched them in all these years; only the dull ache of regret for what was lost.


    "Dad, if I leave again after today, I don''t know when I''ll ever see you next."


    Her voice broke, and she began to sob, unable to stop herself.


    Every time she visited her father, she ended up in tears. She''d hoped time would dull the pain, but her guilt only grew sharper, especially since he showed no sign of ever waking.


    She cried for a long time, but McNeily motionless on the hospital bed, just as he had all those years ago. He would never wake up and speak to her again.


    She felt she deserved this punishment. If only she hadn''t trusted the wrong people-if she hadn''t mistaken a maniptive woman for a friend-maybe he father wouldn''t be trapped in this limbo, maybe her family wouldn''t have crumbled.


    She told herself that this was justice: because she hadn''t listened to Victoria, because she''d let herself be blinded by Violet Marchand''s false kindness, her parents had grown apart, her family had fallen apart, and she had lost the person who''d loved her most.


    So maybe fate had taken her father away on purpose. If she''d valued Victoria''s concern, if she''d seen through Violet''s schemes, maybe her parents'' marriage would have survived.


    Years had passed, and things had changed. Her mother had been courted by many eligible men, but she''d never let anyone else into her life. Gwh always hoped he mother would find love again but at the same time, a selfish part of her wondered what if Dad ever woke up? What if Mom remarried? What would happen then?


    These questions haunted her for years. But the truth was, she''d not only broken her own family, she''d also robbed her mother of any hope for love. Her mother''s heart had closed off for good.


    Gwh couldn''t forgive herself. She had destroyed the people she loved most.


    "Dad, it''s okay. I''m grown up now. I know who I am and what I want, and I know which path I need to take. You don''t have to worry about me. Dad, can''t you wake up? Please..... please, I need you toe back—"