"What happened to him? Where did that guy take you guys?" The words tumbled from my lips, coated in a layer of concern that I couldn't suppress. The recent events had stirred a maelstrom of questions within me, each one a puzzle piece that refused to fit into the bigger picture. My worry for my father's well-being heightened my anxiety, threatening to overwhelm me.
Anne's response, or lack thereof, only fueled my suspicions. I knew my dad's dedication to his work and his unwavering commitment, which often consumed him. The mention of money in the midst of it all was a discordant note, a jarring element that seemed out of place in the world I knew.
Her disregard for my question left me frustrated and impatient. "You should ask your dad. I think he will tell you," Anne's voice held a hint of finality as she turned to leave my room. Her words felt like a door slammed shut, shutting me out of the truth I so desperately sought.
