Chapter 18

The moonlight shimmered over the quiet expanse of Bryan's villa as he arrived, the weight of the day still heavy on his shoulders. Rachel's grave visit had stirred a whirlwind of emotions, leaving him in a somber state. His attempt to reach Jayden remained futile; the continuous buzz of the unanswered call echoed his frustration.

Tiredness seeped into his bones as he made his way inside the serene yet empty house. The absence of his son's responsiveness lingered as a stark reminder of their growing distance. A pang of disappointment tugged at Bryan's heart; he yearned for a closer bond with Jayden.

He reached for the phone again, dialing Jayden's number, only to be met with silence. " Jayden, it's your dad, " Bryan said, a hint of weariness in his voice. " I was hoping we could spend some time together tomorrow, in memory of your mother. "

The call ended abruptly, leaving Bryan disheartened. He sighed, resigning himself to the familiar ache of Jayden's reluctance to connect.

As he und