In a home filled with warmth and quiet love, Adel lived with his only daughter, Lily.
Since the day her mother passed away, the two of them had become each other's entire world.
Early morning light slipped gently through the window, painting soft gold across the small house.
Adel stood outside Lily's bedroom door and knocked twice.
"Lily… wake up. We're going to be late."
A sleepy voice came from inside.
"Dad… please… just five more minutes."
A smile tugged at Adel's lips.
"Lily, stop pretending. You only do this so I'll drive you."
Silence lingered for a moment…
Then suddenly—
The door flew open.
Lily stepped out, hair messy and eyes half-closed, a playful grin spreading across her face.
"Caught me!"
She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
"Good morning, best dad in the world."
Adel laughed softly and ruffled her hair.
"Good morning. Now go wash up and come eat. I made breakfast."
Minutes later, Lily returned and sat beside him at the table.
They ate together in the quiet comfort only family brings.
Then Lily looked at him with a mischievous smile.
"Dad… can you drop me off today? I promise… last time."
Adel raised an eyebrow.
"You said that yesterday."
"Pleaaase?"
He sighed, pretending to give up.
"Fine. Last time."
Lily's face lit up.
"Thank you!"
She ran to get ready.
But the truth was…
Lily wasn't excited just because her father would drive her.
She was excited because whenever her dad drove her to school…
Saif, the neighbor's son, rode with them.
Not long after, Adel dropped both Lily and Saif at the school gate.
The moment Lily stepped out of the car, her expression changed.
Her lips formed a small pout.
Saif noticed immediately.
She thought he had forgotten her birthday.
But Saif simply crossed his arms and acted clueless.
"So… why the long face?"
Lily frowned.
"Nothing."
He smirked.
"Did something happen today?"
She glared at him.
"You're unbelievable."
Annoyed, she walked away and sat alone on a bench in the school courtyard.
Saif watched her for a moment…
Then suddenly ran after her.
He stopped in front of her, holding out a small box.
"I could never forget your birthday, Lily."
"Here."
Lily blinked in surprise.
"'Here'? That's it? You could at least say please."
Still, she took the gift and opened it.
Inside were two bracelets.
A couple bracelet set.
The kind where, if one person pressed theirs, the other one would glow.
Lily's eyes sparkled.
"Thank you! You're the best brother ever!"
Saif froze.
"…Brother?"
He forced a small laugh.
"Yeah… you're welcome."
Lily kept staring at the bracelet.
"But Saif… how will you wear it? You're allergic to bracelets."
He shrugged.
"I'll figure something out."
Then he leaned closer.
"Now… about that homework?"
Lily smirked.
"Saif, try depending on yourself for once. What would you do if I wasn't here?"
Saif looked at her quietly.
"As long as you're here… I don't need to."
For a moment, something flickered in Lily's eyes.
Then suddenly—
She threw the notebook at him.
"Finish it and bring it to class!"
She ran upstairs to her classroom.
Standing by the window, Lily looked down at the school courtyard.
Students were laughing.
Talking.
Living their normal day.
Then suddenly—
A strange feeling tightened in her chest.
Like an invisible hand squeezing her heart.
She placed her hand over it.
"What…?"
The lights flickered.
For a second, the entire school went dark.
Then a sharp alarm sound echoed through the building.
A voice over the speakers announced:
"Security cameras malfunction detected."
Lily frowned.
Something felt… wrong.
Slowly…
She felt it.
Someone behind her.
A shadow.
Her heart pounded.
She turned her head—
But before she could see anything—
A powerful shove struck her back.
Everything happened in a single heartbeat.
Her body lost balance.
The world tilted.
And Lily fell out of the classroom window.
A horrifying scream erupted from the courtyard.
Students rushed toward the scene.
Saif heard the scream.
And in that moment—
His heart stopped.
He turned toward the crowd.
Then he saw her.
His voice shattered.
"LILY!"
He ran faster than he ever had in his life.
When he reached her, his knees hit the ground beside her.
Her face was pale.
Blood spread across the ground beside her.
His hands trembled as he grabbed hers.
"Lily… wake up… please wake up!"
Tears streamed down his face.
"I didn't even tell you yet… I love you… please don't leave me."
Her fingers moved slightly.
Her lips trembled.
Saif leaned closer.
"Don't talk… please… the ambulance is coming."
Her voice came out weak.
Broken.
"S… Saif…"
He moved closer.
Then she whispered the words that shattered him completely.
"I… love you."
Her eyes slowly closed.
Saif collapsed beside her, sobbing.
At the same time…
Adel received the call.
The moment he heard the words, he ran toward the school like a man possessed.
When he arrived…
He saw his daughter lying on the ground.
Motionless.
Blood surrounding her.
"Lily!"
He ran to her.
Took off his jacket.
Covered her fragile body with it.
Then he fell to his knees and pulled her into his arms.
"Lily, sweetheart… wake up. I'm here."
His voice broke.
"Stay strong for me… you're all I have."
People around them were calling for an ambulance.
But Adel stayed on the ground…
Holding his daughter like he was afraid the world would steal her away.
His voice trembled.
"Lily… my little girl…"
"Please… don't leave me."
Then he lay beside her on the cold ground, refusing to let go.