The Alpha's Secret Legacy

Chapter 22

Christine's Pov

My hands are shaking.

Not a little.

A lot.

Like my whole body can't decide whether to fall apart or stay standing.

Tears blur my vision as I stare down at the paper in front of me.

It just appeared there.

No warning.

No explanation.

But I already know.

It's from him.

Clifford.

I press the letter closer to my chest for a second, trying to breathe through the ache building inside me.

Then slowly... I open it.

And the moment I see his handwriting—

I break.

Because I recognize it instantly.

That messy perfection he always tried so hard to fix.

He used to practice cursive for hours.

Getting frustrated when the letters didn't come out "good enough."

I used to sit beside him and laugh.

Tell him it already looked perfect.

Because it did.

Even then.

Even now.

I wipe my face quickly and force myself to read.

Dear Chrissyboo,

Hi Chrissy.

I don't even know where to start.

I'm sorry.

For everything.

For what I did.

For what my father did through me.

And for letting it get this far.

You were always my person.

Since we were kids... you made me laugh when I didn't even feel like smiling.

You made everything feel lighter.

You were my weakness and my strength at the same time.

And I ruined it.

All of it.

Because I didn't stop him when I should've.

The demon you fought... the one who caused all of this...

He's my real father.

Not the one who raised me.

Not the one I pretended was my life.

The real one.

And I hate that truth more than anything.

I wish I could fix it.

I wish I could take it all back.

But I can't.

I know you might hate me.

And I understand if you do.

But I need you to know something before I go.

I loved you.

I always did.

Since the very first day I met you.

No doubts.