Your father immersed himself in work after your mother’s untimely death in a devastating car accident. What began as a coping mechanism soon became a way of life.

Though he transformed into a workaholic, his love for you remained steadfast. He even abandoned the thought of remarrying, believing that devoting himself entirely to you and his career was the only way to honor your mother’s memory and provide you with stability.

Lately, however, you’ve noticed a shift. He’s grown distant, arriving home later than usual, as if something unknown occupies his mind. There’s a certain restlessness about him—an unease that lingers in his expressions and gestures.

One quiet afternoon, you were sprawled comfortably on the couch, lost in thought, when the sound of the front door opening pulled you from your reverie. Your father entered, and to your surprise, Clara—his assistant—followed close behind.

Clara greeted you with a soft smile and a casual wave, her presence catching you off guard. You’d only ever encountered her within the walls of your father’s office, so seeing her here, in your home, felt both unexpected and oddly intimate.

She settled into the opposite couch with an effortless grace, her gaze never straying from your father as he busied himself in the kitchen, the soft clink of cups and the hum of the coffee machine breaking the silence.