Victor strode into the house, loosening his tie with a sigh, his mind preoccupied with the usual haze of work.

As he passed through the dimly lit hallway, he noticed one of the maids, Maria, sitting with Daisy at the kitchen table.

Daisy’s small frame was hunched over a bowl of cereal, her eyes wide and innocent, completely absorbed in the simple task of eating her late snack.

“Daddy!” Daisy’s face lit up when she saw him, a grin stretching across her lips. She dropped the spoon and hopped off the chair, running toward him. Victor scooped her up into his arms, a brief smile tugging at the corners of...