Chapter 19

The wait felt excruciatingly slow. Felix turned toward the window, trying to occupy his mind.

Outside, he heard the sound of laughter floating up from the garden below.

He opened the window, and the view expanded before him, the joyful sound of laughter carried clearly by the wind.

A little boy was giggling, clutching a ball as a young man chased him, both of them lost in their playful game.

“Daddy, come catch me!” The boy giggled, darting behind a tree. He quickly covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes wide with mischief as he scanned his surroundings.

The young father pretended to be puzzled, calling softly as he walked past the tree, “Where could you be, little one? You’re hiding so well.”

The boy’s face lit up with delight, barely able to contain his laughter. Just as he was about to laugh out loud, his father spun around, swooping him up in his arms, making the boy burst into even louder, contagious laughter.

Snap.

The window handle broke off in Felix’s grip. He looked