The man had barely pushed open the door when a tiny figure latched onto his leg.

"Daddy, I missed you so much!"

He smiled warmly, bending down to lift the Hopey into his arms. He gently pinched her chubby cheeks, which reminded him so much of her mother's.

As he walked toward the dining room, he asked, "Hopey, have you taken good care of your Mommy?"

"Yes! I've been trying really hard to take care of Mommy, but she doesn't seem very happy."

Marcus sat ...