As Christopher’s front door creaked open, he stepped inside like a man whose soul had been wrung out and left to dry.
His limbs moved on autopilot, every step heavy, every breath jagged. His only plan was to shower, collapse into bed, and hope, pray, that when he woke up, all of this would’ve just been some hellish nightmare.
But the soft glow of the living room TV flickered across the hallway walls.
And then came the sound of his little girl.
“Daddy, you’re back! Hooray!”
The scream was high-pitched, joyful, pure.
Then came the sound of tiny feet slapping against the hardwood floor, popcorn scattering in her wake like confetti.
Lucy.
Before he could even prepare himself, she launched into his arms with all the might her little body could offer. The popcorn bowl hit the ground, f
