Elisia stood in the middle of the bustling airport, her suitcase at her side and her carry-on slung over one shoulder. Around her, people rushed past—families saying tearful goodbyes, business travelers scrolling through their phones, couples stealing last-minute kisses before heading in opposite directions.
She exhaled slowly, gripping the handle of her suitcase a little tighter.
This was it.
Her father stood beside her, hands in his coat pockets, his usual composed expression giving away just a hint of something deeper. He had insisted on driving her, on walking her through check-in, on being here until the very last moment.
“You have everything?” he asked, his voice steady.
Elisia nodded. “Yeah. Boarding pass, passport, everything’s good.”
He gave a small nod, but didn’t speak rig
