“I know. God, I know…but I have atoned as much aspossible for what I did. And the victims’ families have forgiven me. I just hope you can, too—”
“You’ve been gone my whole life. Mywholelife.”
“I know. But you’re still a young woman…. It’s not too late—”
I shook my head and backed slowly away from him. I didn’t want to hear another word. “Yes, it is. It’swaytoo late.”
“Cate. You’re the only thing I’ve ever truly cared about. I’m your father—”
“No! You’re not my father. I don’t have a father,” I said. “Or a mother. You are both dead to me.”
Then I turned and ran away from him as fast as I possibly could.