Page 107 of Hidden Memories

Paul finally meets my eyes and sneers. “What exactly can you offer her?” He gestures around us. “A ranch? A few horses? A couple of stable boys who think they’re men?” He scoffs. “You’re out of your depth, boy.”

“What I offer is something you’ll never understand—loyalty.” I bare my teeth. “Unlike you, I’m here for her. Not for myself.”

Kat’s hand presses against my chest. “Santi,” she murmurs. “Let me.”

I stand down because this is her fight, too.

And I want to see her win it.

She levels Paul with a stare so cold, it lowers the air temperature. “You don’t get to walk in here and play the hero.”

His mouth flattens into a hard line.

“You don’t get to act like a father now.”

She takes a step forward; her energy is pure fire.

“You’re not worried about me. You’re worried about yourself.”

His face hardens.

And she goes for the kill.

“You’veneverprotected me, Dad.”

She strikes through him, firm, final and undeniable. “You protected your empire.”

Probably for the first time in his life—Paul Castellanos has nothing to say.

His gaze shifts between us, calculating.

His silence brims with unspoken threats, thick and unrelenting. A warning without a single damn word.

Then, like he knows pushing won’t get him anywhere, he gives a stiff nod.

“I hope you truly understand what you’re up against.”

Kat steps in, closing the space between them, shoulders squared, chin high. Every inch of her is controlled, locked down like a dam holding back a flood. But underneath, I see it—the crack, the wound she’s trying to keep from splitting wide open.

“For what it’s worth, Dad… if you ever want to be the father I deserve, you know where to find me.”

Her words are a heavy blow.

Paul falters. Just for a second.

Is it regret? Doubt? It’s gone before I can pin it down. He buries it under years of practiced control.

No apology. No fight. No attempt to take back what can’t be undone.

He just turns and walks, that same measured stride, like he didn’t just lose. Like this doesn’t gut him.

But I know better.

The car door slams. The engine hums to life.

And just like that—Paul Castellanos is gone.

As the car fades down the drive, Kat's knees buckle. I catch her, drawing her in, holding her tight. She shakes against me, the fight finally catching up to her.

---