Aiden averted his gaze, trying to hold back the overwhelming urge to sleep since his arrival at the office. Whenever he closed his eyes, vivid images of Katie or his deceased daughter haunted him. It was a terrible state to feel tired and yet be afraid to sleep, knowing it would likely show on his face.
"I'm fine, Dad," Aiden replied, sitting beside his father while deliberately avoiding eye contact. He didn't know how to express the haunting feelings he had experienced since Katie lost the pregnancy.
Francis shook his head. "I am your father, Aiden. I've known you since before you could speak. I've watched you grow, and even in your silence, I've learned to understand you. If you were really fine, I wouldn't have asked you the way I did. If you need help, don't keep it from me. Let me know what's weighing on you, making you like this..."
Aiden remained silent, realizing his father was right. There was no point pretending when it was so obvious to him.
