Each day was a tightrope walk. He cooked meals – bland, unsatisfying things compared to the spicy cuisine he used to love. He tried helping with homework, stumbling over subjects he’d once mastered, his mind fogged by the darkness he’d willingly embraced. Bedtime was the worst. He’d sit on the edge of her bed, telling stories of brave knights and faraway lands, but his voice always sounded hollow, a poor imitation of the loving father he used to be.

One evening, he found Lila sitting on the porch swing, staring up at the sky. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly approached and siad : "Beautiful night, huh?"

After a moment of silence, she said : "Why did you come back?"

"Because I love you and I made a terrible mistake. I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. I know I can never undo what I've done, but I can be a better man. A better father."

She said : "Can you?"

"I will try, Lila. I promise you, I will try."