Chapter 24: My father

Dee's Point of View:

Growing up without my father was a void I carried for years. It wasn't until recently that I finally embarked on a quest to find him, to unravel the missing pieces of my identity. During my final year of high school, fate intervened, leading me to my father's doorstep. Ronald, of all people, unwittingly played a role in revealing the truth that had eluded me for so long.

This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from the highest to the lowest. Meeting my father for the first time was both exhilarating and terrifying. It dredged up feelings I never knew existed and shed light on the actions that had shaped my life—actions that were both protective and questionable, yet somehow understandable.

My upbringing was defined by my firm, independent mother, who instilled in me the values of self-sufficiency, education, and self-preservation. Her teachings propelled me forward, encouraging me to explore the world and stand independently. Yet, beneath the su