HANNAH
“Dad,” I said again, this time stronger.
My legs moved first, then flew over the paved ground. At the last instant, I threw myself into his arms. His thin arms wrapped around me just as mine tightened around him.
His long, unkempt fingernails dug into my ribs, sharp against my skin—but I didn’t care. All that mattered was the solid, warm weight of him in my embrace. I had missed him so much, never thought I’d see him again. It felt like my heart was shattering and being pieced back together at the same time.
Tears burned my eyes, but I smiled through them.
Finally, I pulled back, breathless. “Dad, I can’t believe it’s you.”
His face lit up with the smile I had missed so much. “I can’t believe it either. There was a time I thought I’d never see you again.” His tired gaze swept
