hapter 12
The news of Lewis Group’s CEO’s suicide made headlines.
Bennett leaped from a misty cliff.
This once–prominent president spent his final days holed up in a tiny storage room at a church. He had no family or friends by his side, living in utterly squalid conditions.
The only decoration in the room was a doll dressed in a pink dress.
I saw Bennett’s soul.
He walked toward me, arms outstretched, tears streaming down his face. “Stella, I’m your father.”
Throughout my long life, I’d dreamed of this scene countless
times.
In those dreams, I would run straight into his embrace, my heart filled with security as I thought: “How wonderful–I’m also a child who has a father’s love.”
But when I woke up, all I had beside me was a phone with an empty inbox, not even a single reply.
So I took a step back and turned away.
I heard Bennett ask the system, his voice panicked: “Why can’t I qatch up to Stella?”
11:26
now. As long as she’s unwilling, you can never trap her again.”
I smiled.
So that’s how it was.
I ran forward, faster and faster.
I didn’t look back, didn’t reconcile. As long as I kept running forward, I would eventually meet people who loved me.
The world ahead grew wider and wider.
Finally, brilliant white light enveloped me. I watched my form become completely transparent.
I thought: “Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye, Stella.”
Chapter 13
