The Lost Legacy

7. Dad

Caci's pov

The sun was beginning to set as we approached the familiar cottage nestled on the outskirts of Deslen. The journey back home had been filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, each of us lost in our thoughts about the revelation that awaited us. My hands trembled slightly as I gripped the photograph of my younger self, discovered in the basement of that eerie house in Sastaslan.

Aida noticed my unease and gently squeezed my shoulder. "Hey, whatever happens, we're here for you," she said with a warm, reassuring smile.

Liam nodded in agreement, his eyes filled with determination. "We'll get through this together, just like we always do."

I took a deep breath and offered them a faint smile. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

We walked up the stone pathway leading to the front door, the air thick with unspoken questions. Before I could raise my hand to knock, the door swung open, revealing my dad with a welcoming grin.

"There's my favorite trio! I wasn't expecting you all so soon," he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight embrace. His eyes sparkled with joy, but as he pulled back and noticed the serious expressions on our faces, his smile faltered. "Is everything alright?"

I exchanged a quick glance with Aida and Liam before turning back to my father. "Dad, we need to talk. It's important."

Concern flashed across his face as he stepped aside to let us in. "Of course. Come inside."

We settled in the cozy living room, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort amid the tense atmosphere. I sat across from my father, clutching the photograph in my lap. Aida and Liam took seats beside me, their presence a silent support.

Dad looked between us, worry evident in his eyes. "What's going on, sweetheart?"

I swallowed hard, my voice wavering slightly as I began. "When we were in Sastaslan, we came across an old, abandoned house. In the basement, we found this." I handed him the photograph.

Dad took the picture, his eyes widening as recognition dawned upon him. He ran a trembling finger over the image before looking back up at me, his voice barely above a whisper. "Where did you find this?"

"In the house owned by someone named Frode Menken," Liam interjected gently. "We did some digging, and it seems like there's more to Caci's past than we knew."

Tears brimmed in Dad's eyes as he let out a heavy sigh, the weight of years of secrecy pressing down on him. "I suppose it's time I told you the truth."

My heart raced, a mixture of fear and anticipation swirling within me. "Dad, what truth?"

He reached out, taking my hands in his. "Caci, you were adopted. I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid... afraid of losing you."

The room fell silent as his words hung in the air. My eyes welled up, but I kept my gaze steady on my father. "Why didn't you tell me before? Why keep it a secret all these years?"

He took a deep breath, his voice thick with emotion. "Because from the moment I met you, you became my entire world. "

Aida leaned forward, her eyes glued to Dad.

"It was about twenty years ago. I was going through a rough patch in my life, feeling lost and alone. One day, while traveling to clear my head, I stopped by this little roadside shop to grab something to eat. The area was desolate; there wasn't another building in sight."

He paused; his gaze distant as he recalled the memories. "Suddenly, there was a horrific crash. A big truck crashed a car and took off. No one saw how the truck was or whose it was and then there were no cameras on the road. People from the shop and I rushed over to help. Inside the car was a family—a mother, a father, and a little girl."

Dad's voice cracked, but he pressed on. "Just before the impact, the father had managed to push the little girl out of the car, saving her life. The parents... they didn't make it. The girl was injured, bleeding from her head, but she was alive."

My grip on his hands tightened, tears streaming down my cheeks. "That little girl was me?"

He nodded solemnly. "Yes. There was no time to wait for help, so I scooped you up and drove as fast as I could to the nearest hospital. The entire way, you clutched this little doll, holding onto it like it was your lifeline. When we got to the hospital, you looked up at me with those big, beautiful eyes and called me 'Dad'. Maybe you were confused, or maybe you saw something in me, but that single word changed everything."

Liam's eyes glistened as he listened, while Aida dabbed at her tears with a tissue.

Dad continued; his voice filled with emotion. "You had suffered a severe head injury and developed dissociative amnesia. You couldn't remember anything from before the accident. In that moment, I knew I couldn't leave you alone in this world. I researched about your family it turned out your father was a journalist and there wasn't any relatives in the picture. I decided to become your father, to give you the love and care you deserved. Over time, I forgot that you weren't my biological daughter because, in my heart, you are and always will be my little girl."

Silence enveloped the room as I absorbed everything I had heard. Finally, I let go of his hands only to throw my arms around him, holding him tight as sobs wracked my body.

"Dad, you've always been my father," I whispered through my tears. "No matter what, that will never change. I love you more than anything."

He hugged me back fiercely, his own tears falling freely. "I love you too, sweetheart. More than words can express."

After a few moments, I pulled back slightly, wiping away my tears. "I want to find out more about my past, about where I came from. But that doesn't mean I'll ever leave you or love you any less."

He smiled through his tears, cupping my face tenderly. "I understand, and I'll support you every step of the way."

Aida sniffled, breaking the emotional bubble with her cheerful voice. "Well, looks like we have a new adventure ahead of us!"

Liam chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

I looked at my friends, gratitude shining in my eyes. "I don't know what I did to deserve such amazing people in my life."

Aida grinned widely. "You bring us together, Caci. We're a team, remember?"

"Always," Liam agreed, his gaze lingering a moment longer on me, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Dad looked around at the young faces surrounding him, his heart swelling with pride and love. "When you said you wanted to become a journalist, I was shocked. You didn't remember anything from your past but you were still following your biological dad's footsteps. If finding out about your past will make you happy then I will support you throughout the journey".

I held his hand tight.

Aida bounced up from her seat, clapping her hands together. "Alright, who's up for some of Dad's famous hot chocolate? I think we all could use a warm treat right now."

We all laughed, the tension easing as warmth and comfort filled the room once more. As we moved towards the kitchen, a sense of unity and hope enveloped us, ready to face whatever the future held together.