I almost bumped into my father when I came down the stairs and turned into the corridor. My feet skidded. I stumbled.
"Oh. Dad. Hi. What are you doing?" I rambled, trying to steady my breath.
His hazel eyes scrutinized me for long seconds.
Each second felt like he was peeling my mind layer by layer.
I swallowed. It was staggering how I already got my answer from that calm, icy stare alone. He simply cleared his throat and continued walking past me down the corridor.
An answer in a gaze. One that said my question was stupid.
And I never called him Dad. Always Father.
I dragged a hand over my face and exhaled once he was a few steps away.
He didn't notice… right?
I followed behind him. Then I stopped abruptly when he halted at the dining room.
"What is going on here? What kind of mess is this?" My father's booming voice startled me. It had been years since I last heard him shout like that.
I hurried forward and gasped.
