Theo sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on Daisy. At first, her sleep seemed peaceful as she was breathing slowly, her face soft against the pillow. But soon her expression shifted, her brows knitting as if shadows chased her in her dreams.
A faint murmur slipped from her lips. "Don't… leave me…"
Theo's chest tightened. He bent closer, brushing his fingers lightly against her hand. "I'm here," he whispered, his voice low, soothing. "I'm not going anywhere, Daisy. I'm right here."
But her restless mumbling continued, sharper now, almost pleading. "Dad… Dad…"
Theo froze. His hand, still hovering over hers, curled slowly into a fist.
"Hey… it's okay. Your dad is okay…" he whispered, though his brows furrowed despite the soft words.
Since his father's visit earlier, too many things had been gnawing at him. And now, hearing Daisy suddenly mutter about her father in her sleep only pressed harder on the weight he'd been trying to ignore.
