Two days later, I found myself at the same desk, the same stack of papers waiting for me. Except this time, my father was there too, sitting in the chair next to mine, his expression unreadable. « It’s just a precaution, » he said, his voice steady but lacking warmth. I wanted to believe him, but the tension in the room said otherwise. The lawyer cleared her throat, « Laura, we just need your signature to finalize the arrangements. » My father shifted in his seat, his eyes fixed on the papers. « It’s for your own good, » he added, almost as an afterthought. I looked at him, searching for reassurance, but his face was a mask of calm determination. « And if I don’t? » I pressed, needing to hear the words from him. He hesitated, the briefest flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. « Let’s not worry about that, » he said finally, his voice firm. I could feel the walls closing in, the weight of expectation pressing down on me.
