Marie stormed into her house, slamming the door behind her. Her heels clicked angrily against the marble floor as she flung her purse onto the couch. She froze when she saw a man standing in her living room, his back turned to her.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
The man replied without turning. "Is that how you greet your father, Marie?"
Her eyes widened in recognition. "Father?!" She broke into a grin and ran to hug him. "You're back! When did you return to the country? I had no idea you'd visit me."
He disengaged from the hug, his tone flat. "Well, I did. I had to."
Marie smiled, though it faltered slightly. "It's been three years, you know. I missed you."
He chuckled without warmth. "You missed me, yet you never come to check up on me."
She pouted, searching for an
