THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 48: The House of Lost Time

Emil sprawled lazily across the couch in his New York penthouse, the weight of the world pressing heavily on his chest. His mind, usually sharp and disciplined, felt clouded and sluggish today. The thought of going into the office, facing the endless meetings, and putting on the mask of the successful CEO seemed unbearable.

The penthouse, with its cold, modern lines and minimalistic décor, felt emptier than usual. Emil had designed this space to be his sanctuary, but lately, it had started to feel more like a prison—a place where the echoes of his past haunted him at every turn.

His thoughts drifted, as they often did these days, to Molsheim. The quiet town held the one connection to his heart that still seemed real: Eva. His daughter. The very thought of her brought a smile to his face, but it was a smile tinged with regret and longing. He'd thought about flying out to see her, but something always held him back. Perhaps it was the fear of facing Jasmine, or perhaps it was the weight of his own guilt.

The doorbell rang, pulling him from his thoughts. Emil frowned, glancing at the clock. It was still early, and he wasn't expecting anyone. His staff knew better than to disturb him at home without notice. Curiosity piqued, he rose from the couch, ran a hand through his disheveled hair, and made his way to the door.

As he opened it, the sight before him made his breath catch in his throat. Standing there, as if materializing from the very depths of his memories, were Jasmine and Eva.

For a moment, Emil thought he was hallucinating. He blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. Jasmine stood there, her face unreadable, and beside her, Eva clutched her hand, looking up at him with wide, curious eyes.

"Jasmine... Eva..." Emil's voice was barely above a whisper, filled with a mix of surprise, disbelief, and a touch of hope. "What... what are you doing here?"

Jasmine looked at him, her gaze steady but distant. "Why do you still live in this house, Emil?" she asked, her tone cutting through the silence like a knife. "The house we used to live in... four years ago."

Emil glanced over his shoulder at the familiar space behind him. The house was filled with memories—some beautiful, some painful. It was the house where they had once dreamt of a future together, where they had shared countless moments of happiness and heartbreak. "I couldn't let go," he admitted quietly, his eyes returning to hers, filled with vulnerability. "I guess a part of me thought... if I stayed here, it would keep the memories alive."

Jasmine's expression softened for a moment, but it quickly hardened again. "But why are you here, Jasmine? In New York?" Emil asked, his confusion evident.

Jasmine sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as if carrying an invisible burden. "I made a promise to you, Emil," she began, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of exhaustion. "I promised that I would let you get to know Eva. So I decided that she could stay with you... for two weeks."

Emil's heart skipped a beat. "Two weeks?" he repeated, his eyes widening in surprise. He looked down at Eva, who was now staring up at him with those same wide, curious eyes that reminded him so much of Jasmine. "You're really letting her stay with me?"

Jasmine nodded, crouching down to Eva's level. "Eva, sweetheart, you're going to stay with Emil for a few days, okay? Mommy has some things to take care of."

Eva's brow furrowed in confusion. "But where's Daddy?" she asked, her small voice laced with worry and a hint of fear.

Jasmine's heart clenched at the mention of Dae Ho. "Daddy is busy too, honey," she explained gently. "But you'll have fun with Emil, I promise."

Eva looked up at Emil, her expression uncertain but trusting. "Okay, Mommy. I'll be good."

Emil knelt down beside them, his heart swelling with emotion. "We're going to have a great time, Eva," he said softly, though his eyes flicked back to Jasmine, searching for answers she seemed unwilling to give.