Chapter Sixty-One

As he drove me home, anticipation bubbled within me. Stepping into the house, there was my dad, and my heart leaped with excitement.

"Dad!" I exclaimed, embracing him tightly. Expecting his usual warmth, I was met with a response that felt cold and distant. Concern etched across my face, I asked, "What's wrong, Dad?"

Throughout the years, my dad had a knack for lighting even the tensest moments. However, this time, his demeanor sparked genuine worry within me, leaving me puzzled and uneasy.

"What's wrong, Dad?" I asked again, my concern deepening as he remained silent.

"How is Josh?" he finally inquired, his gaze fixed anywhere but on me.

I regarded him cautiously, unsure whether to address his question or press on with my worries. "What's going on, Dad? And why jump to ask about Josh?" I questioned, my anxiety mounting. "Is everything okay? But to answer your question, Josh is fine."

Just then, Ava sauntered into the living room. Her eyes zeroed in on the sizable ring adorning my fing