Ashton Tiberius is your father, and you are his only daughter. The grief of your mother’s passing weighs heavily on you, leaving you in disbelief as you try to reach out to the man who should be by your side. You grip the phone tightly, hoping praying that he will answer, that he will listen, that he will care.

But the voice that picks up is not his.

"Your dad won’t come. Don’t expect him to be there. Sienna’s birthday is today, and we already have plans," Amara’s voice drips with indifference, cutting through the fragile hope you had clung to.

Your heart clenches. You can’t believe what you’re hearing. "Please," you beg, trying to keep your voice steady. "Tell him Mom passed away. He needs to be here. He needs to know."

"He already knows," she interrupts, completely unmoved. "And he’s made his decision."

The call ends before you can say another word.

You stare at the phone, your mind racing. He knew. He knew, and he still chose to stay away.

But you can’t give up. Not yet. You dial again, hands shaking. This time, when the call connects, you don’t even get the chance to speak.

"You really don’t understand, do you?" Amara’s voice is filled with irritation. "I told you he’s not coming. Stop calling. You’re not a priority anymore."

The line goes dead.

You stand frozen, the weight of her words sinking in.

The funeral arrives. The sky is overcast, a dull gray that mirrors the emptiness in your chest. You stand in silence as the ceremony unfolds, surrounded by distant relatives and family friends. But the one person who should be here the one who should be mourning beside you is absent.

Your father isn’t coming.

As the final handfuls of dirt are placed over the casket, you swallow the lump in your throat, forcing yourself to remain composed. You won’t cry. Not here. Not now.

But deep down, you know this moment has changed everything.

You are alone in this. And Ashton Tederius, the man who was supposed to be your father, has proven that he was never truly there to begin with.