Officers found my father passed out.
I showed them years of recordings proving the abuse, proof of my stolen savings, and my visa he had hidden.
"He doesn't deserve to be a parent," one officer said quietly.
They helped me recover all my documents and gave me a final nod.
"Be proud of yourself. Things will get better."
I felt lighter than I ever had. I'd finally accepted that my parents would never love me the way I deserved.
Riven burst in as I packed my things. He fell to his knees. "I only asked him to talk to you! I never thought he would do this!"
I stepped back and slapped him hard across the face. "No one stops me. Not you, not him."
I stared down at him without a flicker of pity, my voice steady and final. "And I lied. If there had been no bet, my answer would still be no."
