The morning after the celebration, Glad woke early.
Ariel slept beside her, peaceful in a way he rarely was. She kissed his forehead, dressed quietly, and slipped out.
Anino Garden welcomed her with dew and silence.
She sat by the statue, watching sunrise paint the sky.
"Hey, Dad. Big day yesterday. Five years. Can you believe it?"
A breeze stirred.
"I've been thinking a lot about legacy lately. What it means. What I'm leaving behind." She touched the statue's base. "It's not buildings or policies or even the foundation. It's people. Connections. Love."
The breeze warmed.
"Maya's going to be amazing. Better than me, probably. And Kaloy, and all the young ones. They'll take this further than I ever could."
She paused, gathering thoughts.
"I used to think my story was about a viral video. About getting caught. But it's not. It's about what happened after. About choosing to build instead of hide. About finding family in the most unexpected places."
The sun cleared the horizon, light flooding the garden.
"I'm not afraid anymore, Dad. Of being seen. Of being known. Of being me." She smiled. "You helped with that. Fifty years of silent protection, then one final sacrifice. You gave me everything."
A leaf drifted down—landing in her palm.
"I love you. Always will."
She sat until the garden filled with people—family arriving for a new day, new adventures, new challenges.
Ariel found her there, taking her hand.
"Ready for whatever comes next?"
"Ready." She squeezed his hand. "With you. With all of them. Ready."
They walked toward the community center together.
Behind them, the statue watched.
Always watching.
Always protecting.
And somewhere, a cat who'd been so much more purred one last time.
Not goodbye.
Just... always there.