Reynold sat behind his office desk, a tall stack of reports waiting for his signature untouched. His elbows rested on the polished wood as he leaned back in his chair, silently staring at the old framed photograph that sat beside his laptop.
It was a simple photo—faded slightly at the edges but still clear enough to bring back every memory it captured. He gently picked it up with one hand, brushing off a thin layer of dust from the glass with his thumb.
They were all smiling in the picture. Their mom, in a bright floral dress with her hair pulled back in a neat bun, held a cake topped with a large number '13' candle.
Their father, Soren, stood tall and proud beside her—one arm wrapped around her waist, the other resting on Reynold's shoulder. Reynold himself, barely sixteen then, wore the same serious expression he had now, though his eyes were brighter, lighter somehow.
And right in front of them was Zephany, younger Zephany in her blue birthday dress, grinning from ear to ear.
