IVA
I stood frozen, staring at my mother, Lala, and Nik. My mother’s face softened into a radiant smile, but Nik… his eyes darted down my body, lingering on the oversized shirt tucked into my skirt.
I had no time to untangle the heaviness of his stare, though, as another figure appeared just behind them, phone in hand like he’d just ended a call.
My father.
His face collapsed the moment he saw me, eyes widening with a pain I knew too well, and a strangled sound escaped my lips as I ran to him. His arms opened just in time to catch me, and I collided with his chest.
“Papa,” I sobbed against his shoulder, arms locking around him, and he whispered. “My baby girl,” his voice just as unsteady. His arms wrapped around me like they used to when I was little, warm and safe, and I wept harder
