E L E A N O R My body moves on its own, a deep-seated instinct taking over as I run into his arms. I pull him close, hugging him tightly and breathing him in. The dam I've been holding back all day finally breaks, and tears roll down my cheeks. I've held it in, pretended to be strong and okay, but I'm not. He's here now, and all the pretense melts away. He’s here, and my father is finally dead, executed like a scoundrel for all the world to see. It’s over. "You know, for someone who's pregnant, you sure run a lot," he muses gently, his voice soft as he holds me. He pulls back slightly, a hand coming up to gently lift my face by my chin. "Are you okay?" he asks, his gaze searching mine. I shake my head, unable to speak, and he pulls me into a tight hug. He pats my hair as I lean into his chest, letting the tears fall freely as I finally mourn for the man who was both my father and my tormentor. The sun is starting to set, its last rays filtering through the window, and the room s
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