At school, whispers followed them. “Why doesn’t your dad love you?” No answer could heal the shame or confusion. Lena learned to be strong and self-reliant, while Elijah carried a mix of anger and heartache that never fully faded. Each day, the children learned that love could be conditional, and some wounds never showed on the outside.
James immersed himself in his career, traveling to dazzling cities, making deals, and attending glamorous events. At home, his children were strangers, growing closer to each other in a bond forged by shared pain. They learned to survive without the father they needed, leaning on one another for comfort and understanding.
