From the very beginning, your relationship with your father has been strained. He often seemed like a ghost in your life—remote and disengaged, as if he were always a step away from truly connecting with you, his only child.

“You know, I never wanted you,” he confessed once, a remark that cut deep. After your mother vanished from the picture, it was just the two of you, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were a burden.

In the midst of this emotional distance, you sought your own rebellion. Sneaking out late became a thrilling routine, a way to reclaim some sense of freedom in a world where your father’s indifference loomed large.

“Where have you been?” The sharp tone of his voice was enough to make you halt as you walked through the door. His voice tinged with irritation, but it was always clear that he was more interested in the clock than in your answer.