JAKE'S POV

I heard another knock on my door and thought maybe it was Talia again who had returned to give me an earful.

But when I said "Come in," it was not Talia. It was my daughter Ava.

"Hello, Father. Is this a bad time?" she asked as she stood behind the door waiting for me to allow her in.

I was surprised to see her, but then I smiled and raised my hand to signal to her to open and enter my office.

"No, of course not," I said, trying to hide my ...