Rea sat on the cold pavement outside the lair, her back against the rough brick wall. The night air was sharp, biting against her skin, but she barely noticed. Her head was still spinning.
Her entire life—a lie.
She let out a harsh breath, staring up at the dark sky. The stars above seemed distant, indifferent to the chaos burning inside her.
Footsteps approached. Slow, measured. She didn't look up.
A familiar voice broke the silence.
"Mind if I sit?"
Rea tensed, recognizing the voice immediately. Andrew Jones. Her father.
She didn't answer. But she also didn't tell him to leave. That was enough of an invitation.
Andrew lowered himself onto the ground beside her, stretching out his legs with a small grunt. He was quiet for a moment, watching the same sky she was.
Finally, he spoke. "You remind me of your mother."
Rea let out a bitter laugh. "Right. The mother who lied to me my whole life?"
Andrew sighed. "She didn't lie, Rea."
She turned to him sharply, anger flashing in her eyes. "Didn't she? She knew something was wrong. She knew what Collaway did to her—to me. And she said nothing."
Andrew nodded slowly. "You're right."
That threw her off. She had expected excuses.
Andrew rested his arms on his knees. "She should have told you. I should have told you." He looked at her then, his expression unreadable. "But you know why she didn't."
Rea scoffed. "Oh, please, enlighten me."
Andrew's voice was steady. "Because she was trying to protect you."
Rea flinched.
Andrew exhaled. "Your mother—Celeste—she's not perfect. She's made mistakes. But every decision she's made? Every secret she's kept? It was to keep you safe."
Rea turned away, clenching her jaw. "I didn't ask to be protected. I didn't ask for any of this."
Andrew hesitated. "No, you didn't."
Silence stretched between them again.
Then, softer, he said, "But you're still her daughter. And mine."
Rea stiffened.
Andrew ran a hand through his hair, his expression turning almost… regretful. "I wasn't there for you. Not the way I should have been. I should have fought harder. Stayed longer. But I failed."
Rea swallowed hard. "Yeah. You did."
Andrew nodded, accepting that. "And I can't change the past." He turned to her. "But I'm here now."
Rea didn't respond.
Andrew sighed, glancing down at his hands. "Look, kid. You don't have to forgive me. You don't even have to talk to me. But just know—no matter what happens next, you're not alone."
Rea closed her eyes for a moment. The weight of his words settled heavily in her chest.
She didn't know if she was ready to forgive him. Or Celeste.
But for the first time since learning the truth, she didn't feel like she was drowning.
And for now, that was enough.