driveway was lined with perfectly manicured hedges that looked like they were trimmed with a ruler, and the gravel crunching under the car tires sounded e

lack suit, and had a face that looked like it hadn't smiled since the late nineties. "I am Hadi, the head of the ho

ing to keep her c

adi replied, his tone neutral but slightly guarded. He looked at Liana's box with

htening her grip. It was the only thing she owned that

ass everywhere. It felt like walking through a refrigerator. There were no family photos on the wall

rian's master suite but close enough to Mika's. To her surprise, it was beautiful, but

o a smaller room connected by a sliding glass door. "The light is best in the morning. Your

er time; he gave her the time when most of the world was s

he ignored it. "Dinner is in t

a made her way to the dining room. It was a cavernous space with a table that could easily s

squealed, nearly

warmth she felt for the girl was the only thing keeping

ed. "Hadi makes me eat

te a broccoli-to-ice-cream

avy doors at the end of the hall opened, and Adrian walked in. He didn't look like a man coming home to relax. H

ely placed a plate in front of him. He didn't say hello. He didn't loo

able?" he asked, his voice ech

as good light. Though I think the 5 AM

he only time when your presence is not required by my daug

a machine, Mr. Dirgantara. But don't worry, I can

, we follow schedules. Mika has school at 8 AM. You will accompany her. You will be back by 3 PM for he

" Liana protested. "When do

ilities," Adrian said coldly. "Mika is a Dirg

iserable. Liana looked at the little girl, then back at the man who seemed t

but firmer tone. "But a child who doesn't know how to imagine will grow up

choke on. The maids stood frozen by the sideboa

cture me on parenting," he said, his voi

tever I make it,

" of an employee-had the nerve to challenge him twice in one day. Most people crum

n," Mika whispered,

crack appeared in his mask. A flicker of guilt, or perh

y without finishing his meal. "Hadi will give

ched him go, feeling a strange mix of anger and curiosity. He wasn't j

ka asked, her eyes

rl. "No, sweetie. Your daddy is just... he's just forgotten h

d up, hope

to start with a little bit of color. But first, let's finish

Every creak of the floorboards felt like a whisper. She wandered down to the kitchen to g

r of her. She pushed th

ut he wasn't working. He was holding a small, framed photograph in his hands, staring

Ice Architect" wasn't cold because he lacked a heart; he was col

sh canvas. She didn't paint the landscapes she usually loved. Instead,

she whispered to the empty roo

. She was painting the man in the library-not his face, but th

h down. Her hands were stained with blue paint, and her eyes were burning wi

just about winning a game or securing her future. It was about se

lan. She had to deal with the school run, the cold glares from the staf

a single bird land on a frozen fountain. It

ttle guy," she murmured. "We'

t as she finally climbed into bed, she didn't feel like a janda or a failure. She felt