The cold wind greeted Lena the moment she stepped out of the taxi. She pulled her coat tighter around herself and stood quietly before the modest two-storey house. Snow drifted down from the gray morning sky, settling over the roof, the driveway, and the bare branches lining the fence.

A cloud of white mist escaped her lips as she let out a slow breath. For a long moment, she simply stood there. Then she walked to the front door and entered the passcode. The lock clicked. She pushed the door open.

“Dad… I’m home.” Her voice echoed through the quiet house.

No answer came. She slipped off her boots, brushed...