Page 68 of Saving Little Lina: Part Two

A laugh escaped me, despite the dire situation. That was us—always trying, even when the outcome was a culinary disaster.

"But I taught you how to ride a bike in return, remember? You were so scared at first, but you trusted me. And when you finally rode without any help, the look on your face was priceless."

The memories came flooding back, each one chipping away at the walls Finn had built around my mind.

"And then there's the stray cat at the park," Daddy said, his voice laced with warmth. "You've been trying to adopt it, but it always runs away. Yet, you never give up on it, just like you never give up on the people you care about."

My heart swelled at the memory, a testament to the persistence and love that defined me—traits that Daddy always encouraged and admired.

He leaned closer, his voice lowering to a whisper. "Lina, a very bad man took advantage of your innocence and tried to hurt you. But you were brave enough to escape his clutches. I knowyou're brave enough now to fight Finn's tactics and break free one last time."

Tears welled up in my eyes as the truth of his words resonated deep within me.

"I love you just as much as the day I fell in love with you, if not more," he concluded, his voice steady and sure. "I'm your Daddy, Hank, and you're my sweet girl. I'll never stop trying to protect you from the cruelty of this world."

The sincerity in his words, the depth of emotion in his gaze—it was undeniable. This was my Daddy, the man who had stood by me through thick and thin, who had loved and cared for me unconditionally.

As Mike stepped forward, his eyes brimming with concern and sincerity, I felt a wave of emotions crash over me. The dimly lit room seemed to brighten a bit with his presence, a testament to the warmth he always brought into my life.

"Remember when I thought Teddy was gone forever?" Mike began, his voice gentle yet filled with emotion. "You were there for me, Lina. You didn't let me give up hope, even when I was ready to accept it was all over."

I nodded, memories flooding back—the search, the despair, and the eventual joy of finding Teddy, albeit in a different form. Mike had been devastated, and I had done everything in my power to support him, to bring a sliver of hope back into his eyes.

"You're my best friend, Lina," Mike continued, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. "You've given me strength in my weakest moments. And when my dream of having a family seemed like it might remain just that—a dream—you, Daddy, and Uncle Hank showed me what a 'found family' truly means."

Tears streamed down my face as the weight of his words settled in my heart. The realization of how much I meant to Mike, and how Finn's manipulation had almost made me forget the strength of our bond, overwhelmed me.

"I'm so sorry," I sobbed, the words barely a whisper. "I can't believe I let Finn... I doubted everything, everyone."

Mike stepped closer, his expression softening. "Hey, it's okay. You're strong, Lina. Stronger than Finn, stronger than any of us could ever be. Remember that."

Daddy enveloped me in his arms, his presence a comforting fortress against the remnants of my fear. "You're my sweet girl," he murmured, kissing the top of my head. "Nothing will ever change that. Not Finn, not anyone. You're safe now, with us. Your family."

Mike, standing by, added, "And I'll always be here, Lina. We're in this together, forever. You, me, Daddy, Elijah, and Uncle Hank. We're your family, the kind that sticks together no matter what."

Their words, filled with love and reassurance, slowly seeped through the cracks Finn had created in my mind. In their embrace, surrounded by the unconditional love of my found family, I felt the first stirrings of healing begin. Finn's hold on me weakened with each passing moment.

As they began to untie me, the knot in my stomach loosened, replaced by a burgeoning sense of hope. I recounted the things I missed, the laughter and the warmth, the sense of belonging that had been cruelly snatched away from me. But before we could take our first steps toward freedom, Finn's looming figure darkened the doorway, a chilling reminder of the ordeal I had endured.

"You really think it's that easy, Lina? To just walk away from me?" Finn's voice was cold, laced with a mocking amusement. "You belong here, with me. You'll see, they don't love you, not like I can."

My heart raced, but the fear that once would have crippled me was now replaced by a fierce determination. "No, Finn. I don't belong to you or anyone else. Love isn't something you can force or manipulate," I replied, my voice steady despite the trembling in my legs.

Finn laughed, a sound devoid of any real joy. "You think you're different? All the others thought the same, and yet, they all loved me in the end."

I felt a chill run down my spine at his words. "What others? What have you done to them?" I demanded, my voice betraying the horror I felt at the implication.

"Oh, nothing much," Finn said, his tone casual, as if discussing something mundane. "They simply... fell out of love with me. Became too clingy, too desperate. I had no choice but to leave them, to find someone new who could appreciate what I have to offer."

His nonchalance in the face of such cruelty only cemented my resolve. "You're a monster, Finn. You can't force someone to love you, and you certainly can't discard people like they're nothing."

Finn's smile faded, replaced by a glare that sent shivers down my spine. But it was too late for his intimidation tactics to work on me. Surrounded by those who truly cared for me, I knew I was no longer alone in this fight.

But when Finn brandished his knife, a palpable tension filled the room. Daddy, Uncle Joe, Mike, and Elijah positioned themselves, ready to confront the threat head-on. The airwas thick with anticipation, every movement calculated, every breath measured.

Daddy lunged at Finn, attempting to grab the wrist holding the knife. "Give it up, Finn! This ends now!" he commanded, his voice a mix of determination and concern. Finn, however, was quicker than anticipated, twisting away with a sneer. "Oh, please. You think you can disarm me that easily?" Finn taunted, his agility keeping him just out of reach.

Joe, not one to be sidelined, joined the fray, coordinating with Daddy to corner Finn. "On three," Joe whispered, timing their attack with precision. But Finn seemed to anticipate their strategy, sidestepping at the last moment, causing Joe to stumble forward. "Predictable, just like always," Finn mocked, his voice dripping with disdain.

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