"I invited your friends over for the weekend," Raymond said gently as he settled beside Sofia on the poolside lounger, his voice calm, almost hesitant.
Sofia didn't look up. The hardcover book resting in her lap was open, but the pages blurred before her eyes. She hadn't truly read a word in the last ten minutes.
"You didn't have to do that, Dad," she murmured, finally lifting her gaze to him with a small smile. "I'm okay. Really."
"I know you are," he said, his eyes studying her carefully. "But I thought… maybe some laughter, familiar faces—your best friends—might help. I don't want you getting tired of just seeing me every day."
That drew a real laugh from Sofia, soft and light, like a breeze through wind chimes. "Are you kidding? You're the only reason I haven't completely crumbled. I could never get bored of you."
