The weather had been gloomy since morning—thick, heavy clouds loomed over the city, unleashing a relentless downpour. The rain was so intense that even umbrellas offered little protection, the wind driving the water into every exposed corner. He hummed softly under his breath, following the tune from the radio as he turned onto the next street, only for the car to sputter slightly in protest. His grand plan for an ice cream outing had been completely washed away by the storm, leaving him to quickly rethink how to keep his little one’s excitement alive.

The kindergarten building peeked out from around the corner, its pastel facade standing in stark contrast to the dreary afternoon. As he pulled up to the gate, he grabbed his coat, pulling it tightly around himself before making a dash for the entrance, hoping to avoid getting completely drenched. The moment he stepped inside, shaking off the lingering raindrops, he was met with the familiar scent of crayons and glue. The long, colorful corridor stretched before him, unusually quiet—most of the children had already been picked up, leaving only a few waiting for their parents. A quick glance at the clock confirmed what he already knew: he was late. Not terribly so, but late enough to feel a pang of guilt. He could only hope that Aurelia wouldn’t hold it against him.

“Oh, Mr. Turner, it’s good that you’re here,” a warm voice called out behind him. He turned to see a young preschool teacher rounding the corner, Aurelia nestled in her arms. The little girl clutched her unicorn plush tightly, her tiny fingers gripping the soft fabric. Her big eyes met his, unreadable for a moment—then her lower lip jutted out ever so slightly, the telltale sign of a brewing pout.