Penelope pov

I blinked as the morning light crept through the curtains. My eyes felt heavy, but the first thing I saw snapped me awake—my dad, sitting silently in the chair by my bed. His face was calm, but his hands clenched his knees like he was holding back a storm.

The events of the day before came crashing down on me. My heart clenched. I didn’t need to say a word. I threw myself into his arms, clutching him like he was the only lifeline in a raging sea. Tears spilled over as I sobbed into his shoulder.

“Dad... thank you,” I choked out between sobs. “I missed you...