Chapter 13
427words
He would spend the rest of his days as a living corpse, trapped in that hospital bed until his body finally gave out.
A week later, as Professor William Shaw's daughter, I held a public memorial and vindication ceremony for my father.
I disclosed the complete contents of his groundbreaking research and announced that it would be donated to the National Cardiovascular Research Center, free of charge.
My father's name was finally cleared.
His life's work would finally help countless patients.
As the memorial concluded, Iris Sullivan approached me.
She bowed deeply before my father's portrait.
"I'm sorry, Professor Shaw," she whispered, eyes downcast. "I nearly hurt your daughter and became Julian's unwitting accomplice."
Then she turned to me, her gaze clear and direct. "Dr. Shaw, thank you."
I shook my head. "Don't thank me. You saved yourself."
We exchanged smiles, understanding each other without words.
The next day, I submitted my resignation.
This place held both my deepest hatred and my most precious memories.
With my revenge complete, it was time to move on.
I booked a flight to a quiet southern town, telling no one of my plans.
In the airport terminal, a familiar figure appeared before me.
Lucas Reed.
"I knew you'd leave without saying goodbye." He smiled ruefully, handing me an envelope. "This is for you."
Inside was a photo of me as a teenager, wearing a white dress, smiling without a care in the world. He said he hoped I'd find that carefree joy again.
I took the photo, my throat tight. "Thank you, Lucas. For everything."
"Sophia," he asked, his eyes serious, "Will you come back?"
I shook my head, then nodded.
"I don't know. Maybe. But if I do, I want to return as neither William Shaw's daughter nor Julian Winters' wife. Just myself."
I needed to go somewhere new, where no one knew me. To remember how to smile, how to love, how to truly live again.
He was silent for a long moment before nodding.
"I'll be here," he said simply. "Waiting."
The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.
I turned and walked away with purposeful strides, not looking back.
Through the airplane window, I watched the city where I'd spent nearly thirty years grow smaller beneath me—just like the hatred that had consumed me for so long.
A decade-long quest for vengeance had finally ended.
And I—Sophia Shaw—was ready to begin again.
