The Wife

The sky was a dark, brooding gray, and the rain fell in sheets, lashing against the windows with relentless force. The howling wind rattled the panes of glass and shook the trees outside. Inside her study, Cathleen sat at her desk, surrounded by books and papers scattered haphazardly around her. She had just finished putting away some notes when she heard her phone begin to ring. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she reached for it, glancing at the caller ID before answering.

Cathleen: Hello, father.

A warm smile spread across the person's face as they heard Cathleen's voice on the other end of the line. The man's heart swelled at being addressed as "Father," a title the man had long longed for since the moment he laid eyes on the precious gem on the other side of the line. It was hard to believe that the usually distant and cold Cathleen was now speaking to him with such affection and familiarity. But the joy could not be contained, and he felt tears prick at the cor