“Dad.”
I sank onto her bed and cried harder than I had even cried at Anna’s funeral. It wasn’t grief—it was relief, and guilt, and love all mixed together. I had tried so hard to reach her, and I thought I had failed.
But all that time, she had been watching… painting… choosing me in her own way. When Shiloh finally came home, she found me sitting there, still a mess. She didn’t hesitate.
She just walked over and wrapped her arms around me. No explanation, no apology—just a hug that said everything. Since that day, everything has changed.
We’re no longer two lonely people trapped in the same house. We’re a family. Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events.
Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance.
All images are for illustration purposes only.
