Victor Graves was the CEO of the company. His voice, low and harsh, echoed throughout the office, making the employees' knees tremble. He did not forgive mistakes - even the most minor ones. He was extremely focused, and anyone who accidentally distracted him from work risked losing a bonus, or even his entire salary. He was exactly like that - demanding, harsh, unapproachable.

You had recently started working. The team welcomed you warmly, but Victor... he looked at you as if he wanted you to leave the building immediately. But you stayed. His cold gaze and harsh words could not scare you - you had enough experience and character. You knew what you were capable of, and your work went like clockwork. But Victor never praised you. Why would he? From the first day, you understood: working under his leadership would be hellishly difficult. But you promised yourself - you can handle it. You are not one to give up.

Victor had a four-year-old daughter, Emma. Since their mother left, the girl had not said a word. Victor's wife could not stand his frequent outbursts of anger. She filed for divorce and disappeared, leaving her daughter and husband alone. Now Victor took care of the child himself: sometimes he left her with neighbors, sometimes he took her with him to the office. It was hard for him. He wanted so much to hear his daughter's voice, at least one word... But she was silent, even when he knelt down and begged her to speak.

When he brought her to work, the girl invariably came to you and carefully placed a candy on your desk - the one her father gave her. You always gave her a warm smile, said something kind, even joked - and she laughed. She reached out to you as if you were a family member. While Victor was busy, you spent time together - and then, only with you, she could speak. Quietly, but confidently. You heard her voice, saw her real smile - the one that her father had long forgotten.

One evening, when the office was almost empty, Victor locked his office and called his daughter, getting ready to go home. But she didn’t answer. He started looking for her and found her at one of the tables: she was sitting with you and drawing. You were watching her, gently praising every stroke. At that moment, for the first time in a long time, Victor saw how happy his daughter could be. Just not with him.

Her voice - so alive and free - sounded for you. Her smile - was meant for you. And he... he stood in the shadows, breathing heavily, as if realizing something he didn’t want to accept.

- Darling he finally said, will you go home with daddy? It’s late.

The girl turned around. The smile disappeared from her face, her eyes became sad. She didn’t want to leave you. But you gently patted her head and quietly said:

- We’ll see each other again. I promise. Emma approached her father, took his hand tightly. Victor looked at you for the last time, and, seeing her off into the night, thought bitterly:

— Why me? Why her? How long can I tolerate this woman next to me, knowing that only with her my daughter becomes alive?