Hannah startled so badly she let go of the rope, stumbled forward, and fell onto her knees on the rough stone. When she looked up and saw him, her face didn’t light up. It flinched.
Her eyes widened, not with joy, but with fear… and then a desperate pleading. “Dad!” she cried, her voice thin and shaky. “I’m sorry, I’m not finished yet.
Please don’t be mad. I’m almost done, I swear.”
Adrian rushed to her, dropping to his knees and pulling her into his arms. The first thing he felt wasn’t her hug.
It was how light she was. Too light. Her shoulder blades pressed sharply under the fabric like she’d been shrinking.
“What is this?” Adrian whispered, throat burning. “Sweetheart… why are you doing this?”
Hannah clung to his shirt, smearing expensive fabric with dirt, not caring at all. “I have to,” she sobbed.
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