want you to see it.”
The statement hung in the air.
Emma looked at her father.
Her father looked away.
And in that moment, it became obvious that whatever appeared on that phone was not something Daniel wanted the rest of the family to know.
The evening had suddenly transformed from a simple introduction into something entirely different.
Questions flooded everyone’s mind.
Had the two men met before?
Did they share some connection from the past?
Was the image on the phone evidence of a misunderstanding—or proof of a secret?
Nobody knew.
But one thing was clear.
Daniel’s reaction had nothing to do with tattoos, eyeliner, or black clothing.
Something else was happening.
Something much deeper.
As the silence continued, Emma began to realize that her father’s behavior was unlike anything she had ever witnessed before.
Daniel was normally calm.
Rational.
Patient.
The type of person who preferred discussing
