Finally, with a deep breath, he whispered into the silence of the room, “I love you.” He knew she would hear it, no matter where she was. The unthinkable had happened, but rather than haunt him, it became a tender reminder of the bond they shared, a love unbroken by time or distance.

As he closed his eyes, he felt a warmth settle over him, as though she was wrapping him in one last embrace. The night moved on, gently cradling him and his daughter, ushering them into a new dawn.