Chapter 43

**Chapter 43**
**+25 Bonus**

During dinner, Nan had a good idea. She thought about visiting her father in prison. Maybe he could help her understand how to deal with his friend. Nan wasn’t sure if this was the right choice, but she felt it could be worth a try.

I was ready for this moment. The day after I got out of school, I decided to give it a try and see if I could talk to my father.

“Sorry, ma’am,” the guard said. “We were told not to let you in.”

One of the guards at the front entrance crossed his arms over his chest and said something.

I frowned and looked up at him, feeling puzzled.

“I’m sorry, what?” I asked, still confused.

“It’s a prison. I’m in the visitor section, and I have every right to be here. I need to see my father.”

The guard frowned deeper as he glanced at his clipboard. After a moment, he shook his head.

“I have strict instructions to keep Judy Montague away from the prison,” he told me. “There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave!”

I was about to speak up and say something, but I hesitated.

I heard a voice behind me.

“And who exactly gave you those orders? If it was any Alpha, I can assure you they didn’t get my father’s permission to make such a rule.”

I turned to see who was speaking, feeling both curious and uneasy.

“Why can’t my friend visit her own father?” Irene asked, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

“Uh… Miss Landry,” the guard stammered, bowing his head slightly to show respect. “W-what are you asking about?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I was driving by when I saw Judy enter the prison. I followed her to see what she was up to and accidentally overheard your conversation,” she said. “Now, I want to ask…”

“Why can’t she visit her own father?”

I was surprised to see Irene here, helping me out. I had a strong feeling I knew who was behind the guards’ orders. It seemed likely that someone had bribed them to act this way.

Ethan could tell from the guard’s expression that he didn’t want to share some information with her. It was clear to everyone that she was engaged to him, and upsetting Irene was not something the guard wanted to do. He seemed to be struggling with the news he had to deliver, knowing it could hurt her feelings.

He looked at me and then at Irene.

“I didn’t know you two were friends,” he said with a nervous laugh. “Of course, she can see her father. I was mistaken.”

He stepped aside, letting me enter the prison.

I glanced at Irene, who was still staring at the guard. I wanted to say something to her, but I couldn’t find the right words. Instead, I nodded at her and then walked past the guard.

I was led into the prison by a guard. They brought me to the visitor center, where I sat at a table, feeling nervous and fiddling with my fingers. I waited anxiously until the doors opened, and then my father walked into the room.

“No touching,” one of the guards said.

I nodded and bit my lip as my father walked towards me. When he came into view, I felt a heavy weight in my stomach. I took a sharp breath when I saw his bruised and bleeding face.

He was beaten so badly that he was hardly recognizable.

My heart ached as I looked into his bloodshot eyes.

“Judy…” he croaked, his voice rough and strained, as if it hurt him to speak. “You came…”

“Oh, Dad…” I whispered, tears filling my eyes. “I’m so sorry this happened to you…”

**Chapter 0043**
**+25 BONUS**

He gave me a sad smile, filled with pain, as he lowered himself into the seat in front of me.

I took my seat, unable to take my eyes off him. He was no longer the strong and confident man I remembered as my adoptive father. Instead, he looked almost weak and broken. He seemed like just a shell of the man he used to be.

wasn’t how it was supposed to be, ” he said softly. “I thought I had more time.”

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “I never wanted to leave you like that,” he added, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I know,” she replied gently, her eyes filled with understanding. “But we can’t change the past.”

He looked down, feeling the weight of his regrets. “I just wish things had been different,” he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion.

She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. “It’s okay to feel that way. We all make mistakes,” she said, hoping to soothe his pain.

He finally met her gaze, a flicker of hope in his eyes. “Do you think we can start over?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

She smiled softly, “I believe we can, if we’re willing to try.”

With that, they both knew that this moment was a new beginning, a chance to heal and move forward together.

“This isn’t the kind of place you should be in, Judy. I don’t blame you for staying away…”

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. They streamed down my cheeks and dripped off my chin. I hated seeing myself like this.

I held myself tightly, wrapping my arms around my body to keep myself steady.

“How’s your mother?” my father asked, pulling my attention back to him.

“Not good, Dad…” I whispered. “She’s really struggling.”

“I’m here because she isn’t happy. I think she’s feeling really down, and I’m not sure how to help her… I was hoping you could assist me?”