Chapter 10

I didn't forgive them.

And I never will.

Some wounds, once inflicted, can never be healed.

I can choose to let go, but I cannot choose to forget.

Because forgetting would mean betrayal.

Betraying that little wolf pup who once cried alone in countless dark nights.

My healing gem exhibitions went international.

In Paris, in New York, in London.

I became a renowned young healing gem designer on the world stage.

My name, my works, became known to more and more werewolves across different territories.

I was no longer someone who needed to hide in another's shadow.

I was myself.

The one and only Jade Winters.

During an interview with the International Supernatural Arts Media Consortium, they asked about my family.

I didn't dodge the question.

I spoke openly about my past.

About those stolen years of my life.

The host asked me: "Do you hate them?"

I thought for a moment and shook my head.

"I used to. Not anymore."

"Why?"

"Because hatred doesn't solve anything. It only consumes me."

"Now, I just want to live my own life well. Put more energy into what I love."

The host asked again: "If they apologized to you now and begged for your forgiveness, would you accept it?"

I smiled.

"Their apology is their business. Whether I forgive them is mine."

"I choose not to forgive."

Because forgiving them would be too unfair to myself.

After returning home, I held a charity auction.

I put up my favorite healing gem design, "Rebirth," for auction.

All proceeds went to the Moonlight Foundation for Gifted Youth, dedicated to helping artistically gifted children from poor werewolf families.

I hoped there would never be another "Jade."

I hoped every wolf pup with dreams could run freely under the moonlight.

On the day of the auction, my father came.

He didn't come inside.

He just stood alone in a corner outside the venue.

He looked older.

More haggard too.

He just watched me from afar, his eyes complex.

There was regret, guilt, and also a trace of something I couldn't understand... pride?

I didn't know.

Didn't want to know either.

Between us lay an unbridgeable chasm.

A chasm they had dug with their own hands.

After the auction ended, I left through the side door.

I didn't look at him again.

While driving, I got a call from Ryan.

He said: "Your father just asked me to pass along a message."

"What message?"

"He said, I'm sorry."

"He also said you're his pride."

My grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Then I smiled.

It was a genuine, peaceful smile from the heart.

Outside the car window were the city's countless lights, so warm, so bright.

I pressed the gas pedal and merged into that brilliant sea of light.

(The End)