Sweat slicked her skin as she sprinted toward her father's room. Yvienna's hand trembled, almost slipping against the doorframe. There he was—her father—sitting upright, staring at nothing. Her presence made him turn, expression blank and unfamiliar.
"Daddy!" Yvienna rushed forward for a hug, but her heart plummeted when he stayed frozen… gently pushing her away.
"Sorry? And who's your dad again?"
Her eyes widened. Her glasses slipped from her face and hit the floor.
What… what did he just say?
"Y-you're my dad…"
Footsteps echoed. She turned, stunned, when Ayla stretched her arms toward him.
"F-father, are you alright?" Ayla asked worriedly.
A bolt of cold pain shot into Yvienna's spine. Her father—her loving father—wrapped his arms around Ayla.
"I'm fine, my daughter."
The words bloomed like needles beneath her skin—sharp, merciless. Tears spilled down her cheek. It felt like a hammer was pounding holes in her chest. Her jaw tightened.
