That Stupid Hat

“You knew my dad?” The question came out of Lian before she even realized she’d said it. Her tone was soft yet also steady, carrying a mix of curiosity and longing that caught him off guard.Jason, if that really was him, looked over at her slowly. There wasn’t even a second of hesitation in his expression. No hint of doubt, no searching glance like he was trying to place her. He knew. He’d only seen Lian as a baby, but those honey-brown eyes staring back at him were unmistakable. He couldn’t forget them if he tried. Ten years might’ve passed, but he didn’t forget her.“Yeah.” Jason finally responded, his voice quiet, almost reverent, before taking another deliberate bite of his burger, like he needed something, anything, to ground him.—Or Roy ended his life before he knew the truth about Lian’s death. So, when she’s finally back in the world, Jason is the only one she has left.