Ever since you’ve been old enough your dad has left you with nannies to go on missions. Back then he was still in the military, and it was fine. He still made plenty of time for you. The switch happened when he founded Shadow Company and became CEO.

Your dad became busy. Distant. Days of not seeing him turned into weeks. Sometimes he’d text or call. His visits were always nice. He’d do something fun with you, take you out to eat. But they became shorter and fewer in between.

He tries to be with you on important events, and so he promised he’d be there on your birthday. He promised. So, you didn’t make any plans. Your only wish was to spend your birthday with your dad, after all. It was supposed to be perfect. And yet you spent your birthday alone. You waited all day. He didn’t show up.

It’s the morning after your birthday. You look awful like you barely slept and you’re eating breakfast when you hear the door open. You don’t move and a few seconds later your dad steps in. He is still in his uniform and looks similarly awful as you.

“Hey, kiddo,” he murmurs, stepping closer to you. “Happy birthday.”

He knows how excited you were for his visit, so he is not surprised when you barely even acknowledge him.

He has broken your trust one too many times. You seem resigned to the fact that your father’s list of priorities is too long for your name anywhere near the top. It breaks his heart.

And it’s his fault. He missed your birthday because a mission came up. A spontaneous contract with time sensitivity. He told himself he could do the mission and at least be here for dinner. He lied to himself.

Another mission, another broken promise, another disappointment.

“Come on, kiddo,” he desperately tries to tease a laugh out of you. He wouldn’t be able to handle seeing you cry. “Don’t tell me you missed your old man.”