---- Chapter 19 Athena POV: After my comeback announcement, | retreated into my work. For a week, | barely left my apartment, losing myself in a world of digital paint and endless lines of code. It was my sanctuary, the only place | felt truly whole. One afternoon, my phone rang. It was Eliot. "Hey," he said, his voice gentle, "I think it's time you went home. Your father misses you." My hand, holding my stylus, froze over the tablet. | had been dreading this. But he was right. | couldn't hide forever. "Okay," | whispered. "I'll be ready." That evening, as Eliot's car pulled up to my childhood home, my heart began to pound. The familiar scent of the honeysuckle climbing the front porch filled the air. My father was standing on the steps, his arms crossed, a stern expression on his face. "So," he said, his voice gruff, "you finally decided to show your old man you're still alive." | couldn't speak. | just ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck, and burst into tears. His arms came around me, holding me tight, and | felt his own shoulders shake with ---- silent sobs. We stood there for a long time, a father and daughter piecing back together the years that had been stolen from them. Eliot, ever the gentleman, tried to excuse himself, but my father would hear none of it, insisting he stay for dinner. The meal was filled with laughter and stories, a balm to my wounded soul. After dinner, my father went out for his evening walk, leaving Eliot and me alone in the living room. "Your old sketchbooks," Eliot said suddenly. "They're all still here, right?" | nodded. "In the attic. Why?" He looked at me, his expression serious. "| think it's time for you to have a proper art exhibition, Athena. It's time for the world to see the real artist behind PixelVixen." My breath caught in my throat. An art exhibition. It was a dream | had given up on three years ago. "You once told me," he continued softly, "that your biggest dream was to see your work hanging in a real gallery. It's not too late." | pressed my hand to my chest, trying to still the frantic beating of my heart. Tears welled in my eyes. Before | could thank him, he cut me off with a wave of his hand. ---- "Hey, | know," he said with a grin. "I'm incredibly thoughtful. It's a burden." | laughed, a real, watery laugh. The sound seemed to break a spell. | looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the tips of his ears were bright red. My own face flushed. A strange, unfamiliar warmth spread through my chest. Just then, the front door opened, and my father walked back in. Eliot jumped to his feet as if he'd been electrocuted. "Well, look at the time!," he exclaimed, practically sprinting out the door. The next few weeks were a whirlwind of preparation. The exhibition was to be my first official public appearance. The night of the opening, the gallery was surrounded by a swarm of media. A sleek black car pulled up, and Eliot got out. He opened the passenger door and offered me his hand. As | stepped out, a barrage of flashbulbs went off, momentarily blinding me. The crowd surged forward, a cacophony of questions and clicking cameras. | froze, my body rigid with sudden panic. Eliot's hand gently squeezed my shoulder. "Just follow me," he murmured, his voice a calm anchor in the storm. | took a deep breath, looped my arm through his, and let him lead me up the steps and into the light. ---- Across the street, hidden in the shadows, a man watched the scene unfold. His face, when he stepped into the light of a streetlamp, was a mask of shock and disbelief. He tried to push through the crowd, to get to me, but he was too late. All he could do was watch as | disappeared into the gallery on the arm of another man. A dark, possessive fury ignited in his eyes. A sick, sinking feeling coiled in his gut. Hardin Morrison had found me. And now, he had a rival. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.