Father?
Her father?
Alyna thought she was hearing things. Out of all the people, Theo said her father had come to visit her?
"Who?" She repeated the same thing like a broken radio.
Theo patiently answered, "He claims to be your father."
The words were like a merciless punch to the gut. A face, unaffected by the screen of time, flashed in her mind.
That indifferent gaze.
Haunting presence.
Cruel words.
Everything rushed back in an uncontrollable tide. Alyna felt herself drowning on the spot, unable to break free of the constraints her own mind built to trap her.
"Alyna." Theo snapped his fingers close to her face. "Are you alright?"
Alyna blinked slowly. The haze disappeared gradually, "I think so."
By orders, she showered and followed Theo back to Eiran's office. The
