'Gotta eat soon' – Lillian thought while getting out of her bed.

Soon, she came down for breakfast after her morning rituals. She got dressed in her sportswear; Nike's track pant and a red round T-s.h.i.+rt.

"Good Morning, champ."

Lillian's father, Edwin Grey is a morning person. He's already up and preparing breakfast for his favorite sudden guest, his daughter.

"Morning, dad" Lillian smiled.

She looked better than last night. Edwin felt relieved after taking a good look at her face. Suddenly, Edwin felt emotional as he could see his wife's features from his daughter, Lillian. Last night, he wasn't able to see her face clearly but right now under the broad daylight, Lillian's matured face resembled her mother a lot.

"Dad, I can eat like tons of food; I don't care, cook me anything."

Lillian spoke vigorously. Her hunger fangs are at their peak and ready to devour anything in front of them.

Edwin didn't disappoint his daughter as he cooked her sausages, bacon, grilled cheese sandwich, hash browns, chicken soup, and a simple vegetable salad.

Lillian started with her black coffee. Then she began eating randomly; anything she can get her hands on.

Edwin loved the picture and cooked more until Lillian got full.

…

Lillian rested on the couch; her hands on her tummy as she could feel completely stuffed. Also, it has been a while since she tasted her father's cooking. He was always skilled when it comes to food.

After feeding his hungry daughter, Edwin sat down for breakfast while Lillian rested. Edwin finished his breakfast quick. He had bacon, grilled cheese sandwich, and coffee. He only prepared the salad for Lillian to eat.

He went back to his room after breakfast and got himself ready to head outside. He came back to the living room where Lillian's getting rest.

"Come on," Edwin said.

Lillian opened her eyes to see her father dressed up in his casual style. She couldn't figure out the situation, so she gave him her 'what is happening now?' eyes.

"You're injured."

Edwin's words startled Lillian as she jerked a little. Her eyes averted from Edwin's gaze. She acted like it wasn't right. But Edwin isn't ready to fall for it. He grabbed her hands and pulled her up, and Lillian landed on her feet.

"I saw your tumble-walking style. I don't think it's your behavior either. So, come with me to see a doctor. Get treated, and then I'll leave you to roam as per your wish. Deal?" Edwin held his hand out for a deal.

Lillian waited for a moment and then accepted his offer.

They both headed out together.

…

Edwin took his daughter to his regular hospital and treated her wounds. Only during the treatment, Edwin saw her bruises below her knees. He kept quiet and walked out leaving Lillian in vain. She noted her father's disdain. She hasn't said anything so far. And so, the two adults waited for the right time.

Lillian's treatment went well, and the doctor advised her to use the prescribed medicine without fail.

"Do you want to head home?" Edwin asked.

"No, I'll walk around here. I need some fresh air. It's been so long since I've returned." Lillian replied smiling her way from her father's concerns.

"Are you sure? You just got treated. You shouldn't be stressing, Lilly" Edwin tried to convince.

"Dad, I'm visiting the library first. Later, I'll walk back home." Lillian rea.s.sured.

Edwin parted ways with Lillian as she headed directly to the local library. It has always been her favorite place to spend the time to collect her thoughts.

…

Time – 10:50 PM

Edwin waited patiently so far. Even though Lillian's a grown woman who can spend time outside as per her wish, Edwin can't seem to worry for her. He tried reaching her, but Lillian left her phone at home. When Edwin went to her room to confirm that she didn't carry her phone with her, Edwin noticed all the missed calls from various people.

Edwin realized that something serious is going on, and this only seemed to increase his distress for Lillian.

He came back to the living room, and then entered the front porch. He waited there eagerly for Lillian to return home.

…

Time 11:47 PM

Edwin's patience ran out as he was getting ready to leave to search for his daughter.

Suddenly he heard someone banging the door, Edwin's heart raced, as he dropped everything to answer the door. When he saw who it was; his heart stopped beating for a second.

A few local people were carrying Lillian by her shoulders. Lillian looked heavily drunk as she lost all her senses to act.

"She was lying down on the sideways outside the bar. We couldn't help, but ask around when someone said, she's your daughter, Edwin. Please take care of her. She's hammered."

The person carrying Lillian pa.s.sed her to Edwin's care and left. Edwin thanked them before leaving. He took Lillian to her room and put her on the bed.

Her face drowned in pain as she kept babbling on her drunken state. Edwin covered her with a blanket and switched off the light for Lillian to sleep. He came back to the living room. Throughout this whole waiting time, Edwin realized that people kept calling Lillian on her phone.

As her father, he wanted to respect Lillian's privacy of not telling what's going on. But seeing her getting drunk on the first day of her return made him worry. He wanted to know the reason why Lillian's behaving like that. He recognized that it has to do with her relations.h.i.+p. But right now, he only wished for her to sleep peacefully without any nightmare.

…

Time – 1: 14 PM

Edwin decided to sleep at last. Before going to his room, he went back to check if Lillian's resting properly.

He opened the door to her room and came in. His face recoiled as he saw his daughter shedding tears on her sleep. Edwin approached her gently and wiped off her tears. He kissed her goodnight and stood up to leave when Lillian caught Edwin's hand.

"Don't' leave me alone."

Lillian muttered.

Edwin held her hands and stroked her head a few times.

It was during this time, Edwin heard his daughter say those words and him hearing it after a long time.

"Giselle"

"Why?"

"Don't leave me alone."

"Please"

Edwin's memory rewind to the past, where he used to hear the same name from Lillian all the time during her last year in high school. He came back to the living room and searched for the old photo alb.u.ms. He looked for Lillian's high school year pictures, and when he found it, he searched for Lillian's final year high school pictures.

After going through the entire alb.u.m, he found one on the last page. The picture had two people; Lillian and Giselle.

Edwin touched the picture and saw who this Giselle was and how she looked.