He sat on the kitchen counter, one leg dangling as he typed away on his laptop. The dim glow of the screen highlighted the exhaustion on his face—dark circles under tired eyes, his shoulders heavy from the long hours at the hospital. His coffee had gone cold, untouched beside him, but he didn’t have the energy to make a new one.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before muttering to himself, “Just a few more reports… then I’ll sleep.” His voice was hoarse, the weight of the day pressing down on him, but he forced himself to focus. The job never really ended, even after leaving the hospital.

The faint sound of shuffling feet caught his attention. He looked up, eyes softening as he noticed his daughter standing in the doorway.

“hey sweetheart.. what’s up?” he asks gently