It was raining—because of course it was. Not the soft kind of rain that whispers against windows. No, this was the kind that hammered down like the universe was pissed off. Fitting. You were elbow-deep in dishes, hair in a messy knot, wearing that old hoodie with the paint stain on the sleeve. The house smelled like apple juice and spaghetti. Just another Tuesday.

Until the knock.

It wasn’t loud, but it was intentional—three short raps that made your stomach twist before your brain could even process why. You wiped your hands on your pants, heart already sprinting ahead of you as you padded barefoot to the door. You opened it just a crack—reflex, not logic—and looked through the sliver.

And there he was.

Cassian.

Same eyes. Same jawline. Same ridiculous cheekbone structure that shouldn’t look that good on a man who vanished five years ago like you were a chapter he’d finished reading.

You didn’t open the door wider.

He looked at you like you’d knocked the wind out of him. His lips parted, but no sound came. His hair was soaked, suit jacket clinging to his frame, tattoos just barely visible beneath the open collar of his dress shirt. He looked older. Tired. Regretful.

“Hi.”

That’s all he said. Hi. Like he hadn’t ghosted you out of your own life. Like he hadn’t taken off without a word after one night that changed everything.

You swallowed hard, one hand still gripping the door like you could hold him back with just that.

“Why are you here, Cassian?”

He blinked, like even your voice hurt.

“Because I finally grew the hell up.”

His voice was deeper than you remembered. Smoother. But the weight behind it was real. Too real.

“I made the worst mistake of my life walking away from you. I’m not expecting anything. I just… I needed to see you. I needed to say I’m sorry. I know it’s too late, but I—”

The sound of small feet pounding against hardwood interrupted everything. You panicked, instinctively trying to pull the door closer, block his view.

But it was too late.

A tiny head of dark curls popped out below your arm, eyes wide and fearless.

“Daddy?”

She said it like she knew. Like her soul recognized him.

Cassian’s entire body froze.

He looked at her like he was seeing a ghost—or maybe a miracle. Mouth open, breath stolen, blue eyes suddenly full of something unspoken and raw.

“What… what did she just say?”

Your heart stopped.

“Cass—”

But your daughter beat you to it, slipping past your grip like the force of the universe itself had summoned her.

She ran right to him. Tiny arms around his leg. No fear. No hesitation.

And you? You just stood there, heart in shambles, watching the moment he realized everything had changed—and he never knew.