Chloe hadn’t wanted to come to the fairground in the first place. She never really did.


    The place was too crowded, too loud, too full of people, none of whom she knew. But he insisted. “We only have weekends now,” he reminded her, a little too brightly. “Let’s make the most of it.”


    Chloe went along with it. She knew her father needed this more than she did.


    They rode the Ferris wheel, the bumper cars, all the things she thought he would like. He even shot at the targets, laughing when he missed. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Then, in the midst of lights and noise, his hand slipped out of hers.


    She wasn’t surprised. Not really. They barely spent time together anymore, and somewhere deep down, she’d always expected him to let go. Still, her heart beat faster, a little bird trapped in her chest. She searched everywhere, her small voice lost in the blaring music and the blur of strangers. She asked for help, but no one seemed to see her.


    Hours passed, or maybe it was just a few minutes—time didn’t feel real here. And then, standing alone in the swirl of lights, Chloe suddenly understood: it wasn’t her father who was missing.


    It was her.