Ethan had lived in the small coastal town all his life, yet the sea had always felt like a stranger to him. His father, a fisherman, had been lost in a storm when Ethan was only ten years old. Since that day, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled Ethan not with peace, but with unanswered questions.
One afternoon, while walking along the beach after a long day at work, Ethan noticed an old glass bottle half-buried in the sand. Inside it was a folded, yellowed letter. Curiosity overcame him, and he carefully opened it.
The letter was dated twenty years ago—the same year his father disappeared.
It spoke of dreams, fears, and an unbreakable love for family. The handwriting was unmistakable. It was his father's.
Tears welled up in Ethan's eyes as he read the final line:
"Even if the sea takes me, my love will always find its way back to you."
From that day on, Ethan's fear of the sea slowly transformed into understanding. He realized the ocean had not stolen his father—it had carried his love back home, waiting patiently for the right moment to be found.