The room is unusually quiet. Soft afternoon light enters through the windows as Destiny sits comfortably on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

Across from her, Duchess watches her carefully. She looks nervous, as if she has been carrying a secret she no longer knows how to hide.

Finally, Duchess takes a deep breath.

Destiny… there’s something I think you need to do.

What?

Duchess pauses.

I think you should meet your father.

Destiny slowly lowers her phone. Her expression changes immediately.

My… what?

Your father.

Who are you talking about?

I’m talking about your own father, Destiny.

Destiny sits up straight.

Why are you bringing him up?

Because he came looking for you.

Destiny freezes.

For several seconds, she says nothing.

No.

Destiny—

No, Duchess. I don’t want to hear this.

Destiny stands.

I don’t want anything to do with him.

You don’t even know why he came.

And I don’t care.

A tense silence fills the room.

Duchess slowly stands and tries to keep her voice calm.

I’m not asking you to forgive him. I’m not asking you to forget anything. I’m only saying you should meet him once.

Why?

Because you deserve to hear what he has to say.

And then what?

Then you decide what you want to do.

Destiny folds her arms.

I’ve already decided.

You decided without knowing why he came?

He had years to find me. He had years to talk to me. Now suddenly he wants to show up? Why?

Duchess remains silent.

That silence makes Destiny even more suspicious.

See? You don’t even know what to say.

I know that he was looking for you.

That doesn’t mean anything to me.

Maybe it should.

No. You don’t understand. I don’t want him in my life.

Maybe you should at least hear him out before you make that decision forever.

Why are you so determined to make me see him?

Duchess becomes quiet again.

Destiny notices.

What aren’t you telling me?

I’m not hiding anything from you.

Then tell me why he came.

Duchess looks away for a moment.

I don’t know everything.

Exactly. So stop telling me what I should do.

I’m only trying to protect you.

Protect me from what?

Duchess doesn’t answer.

Duchess! What did he say?

He said he needed to see you.

That’s it?

He was very serious.

What does that even mean?

He said there was something you needed to know.

Destiny’s face changes.

Something I need to know? About what?

I don’t know.

Then why are you acting like I owe him a meeting?

Because sometimes the truth hurts more when you avoid it.

Maybe I don’t want his truth. Maybe I have my own life.

I understand.

No, you don’t.

Destiny grabs her purse and keys.

Destiny, wait.

For what?

Just calm down.

I’m calm.

You’re angry.

Because you’re pressuring me!

I’m not pressuring you.

That’s exactly what you’re doing.

I’m saying you might regret never hearing him out.

So now you’re saying I’m making the wrong decision?

That’s not what I said.

That’s what it sounds like.

Destiny raises her hand.

I’m done with this conversation.

Where are you going?

Somewhere I can breathe.

Destiny—

I’m going to Larry’s.

Destiny walks out.

The door closes.

Duchess remains standing in the middle of the room, watching the door with concern.

I didn’t mean to hurt her.

Her phone suddenly rings.

Duchess looks at the screen. Her expression changes.

Hello?

Silence.

What?

She listens. Her eyes widen.

Are you sure?

A pause.

No. You can’t tell her yet. She isn’t ready.

The call ends.

Duchess slowly lowers the phone. Her hands are trembling.

Destiny drives toward Larry’s house. Duchess’s words continue replaying in her mind.

Why now?

Her phone suddenly buzzes.

An unknown number has sent a message.

Destiny immediately pulls the car to the side of the road.

Another message arrives.

Destiny stares at the screen.

What happened that night?

She immediately calls Duchess.

No answer.

She calls again.

Still nothing.

Come on, Duchess. Pick up.

Then another message arrives.

Destiny’s face turns pale.

She starts driving again, but now she isn’t simply going to Larry’s house for comfort.

She is going there because she believes Larry may know something.

Evening falls as Destiny arrives at Larry’s house.

Larry opens the door and immediately notices something is wrong.

Destiny? What happened?

I need to talk to you.

She steps inside.

My father.

Larry’s expression changes.

What about him?

Duchess told me he came looking for me.

Larry becomes silent.

You knew?

Larry takes a deep breath.

I knew he had been asking questions.

What kind of questions?

About you.

Why?

I don’t know everything.

That’s what Duchess said.

Destiny shows him the messages.

Larry reads them carefully.

Where did you get these?

An unknown number.

Larry’s face becomes serious.

Destiny… you shouldn’t have come here alone.

Why?

Because if your father is really back, someone may be trying to make sure you never hear what he came to say.

Destiny stares at him.

What happened the night my father disappeared?

Larry looks down.

I know part of it.

Then tell me.

Your father didn’t simply leave.

What do you mean?

He was trying to find you.

Before he disappeared?

Yes.

Why?

Because he discovered something about your family.

What did he discover?

Larry doesn’t answer.

Suddenly, a loud knock hits the front door.

Both Destiny and Larry freeze.

Another knock follows. This one is harder.

Who is that?

Larry slowly walks toward the door and looks through the window.

His face immediately loses its color.

Larry?

Larry turns toward her.

It’s him.

My father?

Larry nods.

Before Larry can open the door, a familiar voice comes from outside.

Destiny… I know you’re in there.

Destiny’s breathing becomes heavier.

How did he know I was here?

Larry says nothing.

I didn’t come here to ask you to forgive me.

Destiny looks toward the door.

I came because you are in danger.

Destiny’s eyes widen.

And if I don’t tell you the truth tonight… you may never get the chance to learn it.

Suddenly, every light inside the house goes out.

Darkness fills the room.

Destiny gasps.

Her phone vibrates.

She looks down.

Destiny’s hands begin to shake.

Outside, her father pounds on the door again.

But this time, there is something different.

There is another shadow standing behind him.

Larry slowly looks through the window.

The moment he sees the person standing beside Destiny’s father, his entire expression changes.

Larry… who is that?

Larry doesn’t answer.

Destiny steps closer to the window.

She can barely see the figure outside.

Then lightning flashes across the sky, briefly revealing the person’s face.

Destiny freezes.

No…

Larry looks at her.

You know them?

Destiny cannot speak.

The person outside slowly steps forward.

Destiny finally realizes that the secret isn’t only about why her father disappeared.

It is about who helped him disappear… and who has been keeping the truth from her all these years.