40: NOT A CHANCE

I was sitting in my quarters, going over the day's events when a soft knock on the door drew my attention. I called out for the visitor to enter, and to my surprise, it was my father. His face was lined with worry and regret, emotions that seemed to have aged him since I last saw him.

"Ava," he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "I need to talk to you."

I stood up, a mix of emotions flooding through me. "Father," I acknowledged, motioning for him to sit. "What is it?"

He hesitated, clearly struggling to find the right words. "I need to apologize for my role in your banishment," he finally said, his voice trembling. "I was weak. I should have stood up for you, but I didn't. I was afraid, and I let you down."

The sincerity in his voice cut through me. For years, I had harbored anger and resentment for the way I was cast out, but seeing my father like this, broken and remorseful, softened something within me. "I understand, Father," I said quietly. "We all made mistakes."

He reached ou