“Daddy, look!”

So-Yeon was twirling around in a clean dress. I was sitting on the couch in the living room, clapping at her moves with a foolish smile on my face. She seemed to like this dress that I’d bought for her, a dress that resembled the one worn by a character from an animated film.

“Let it go! Let it go!”

So-Yeon sang the song as well, acting all cute. I couldn't stop smiling at her.

After she was done singing, she sat on my lap. As I stroked her hair, I called her my princess and told her how pretty she was. I didn’t forget to ask who she took after, who taught her to be such a sweetheart. So-Yeon waved her legs back and forth and giggled.

As I looked at her, I prayed that the happiness I was feeling right now would last forever. I also prayed that my family would remain healthy and that we would all live happily for years to come.

‘Wait… Family?’

The people I’d forgotten about flashed through my mind. Their faces were blurry, like scattered puzzle pieces. I stared blankly into space as I tried to recall their faces.

I saw a blank TV screen in front of me. On that screen, I saw a reflection of me and So-Yeon.

As I looked at our reflections, cold sweat began to form on my forehead.

This clean living room, the warm weather, and a happy...