Chapter 68

Valerie

Sitting there with my dad I thought about my converstaion with him, the weight of his words still lingered heavily on my mind. It doesn't happen often where he opens up like that, setting out his vulnerabilities and regrets out in the open. But today he did and his words struck a chord deep within me.

"Val, you are happy right," he asked once again and for a second I just looked at him.

"I am, dad," I paused. "I am way happier than what one can expect," I told him, and it was true because deep down I really was happy. Despite the stormy events that had occured, there was a strange sense of peace settling deep inside within me. At last the truth had been out and revealed, justice was served, and it felt like a burden was lifted from my shoulders. Drew's betryal and deception, Laura's salvation, and the support of all those who believed me, all of it contributed to a sense of relief, though it was filled with too many unexpected events.

My dad's gentle smile and pat pat on the