Azzmi sat at the table, her food growing cold as she listened to her father on the phone. He kept repeating the same worries over and over, his concern obvious in every word.

“I was ready to abandon everything just to come back to you,” he said, his voice filled with anxiety. “If not for Mr. Bamford calling me back, I’d be on my way there by now. But you’re really okay?”

“Dad, I’ve already told you. I’m fine,” she chuckled lightly. “I’m even having a meal with Amy. Are ...