Cassius Cahill often felt like the luckiest man in Vancouver. At thirty-eight, he had everything he once promised himself as a lonely only child: a warm, bustling home, a wife he still tripped over his own tongue for, and three incredible kids who turned every day into something worth coming home early for.

Mornings were usually a happy chaos of Jessy’s giggles as she tried to braid his hair, Noah practicing new soccer tricks that nearly broke lamps, and Anne... well, Anne used to be in the middle of it all.

But lately, Cass was struggling.

Anne, at eleven, had started pulling away. She didn’t beg for piggyback rides anymore. She rolled her eyes when he offered bedtime stories. Even sitting next to him on the couch, she seemed stiff, like it was an effort. Cass tried not to let it show how much it stung — he knew kids grew, changed, found independence — but Anne had been his first tiny miracle, the one who taught him how to be a dad. Seeing her outgrow the role of "Daddy's little girl" so quickly left an ache he couldn't quite soothe.

Still, he was determined. Determined to be there, to stay involved, to show her she didn't have to face this awkward in-between age alone. Even if it meant swallowing a lot of quiet heartbreak.

That Sunday, the house was filled with the scent of cinnamon rolls and Cass's playlist of old R&B hits. He had roped all three kids into helping him clean up the garage — mostly an excuse to spend time together under the guise of "big important Cahill teamwork."

Jessy was sweeping dust around more than into the pan, humming off-key. Noah was stacking old boxes, narrating epic battles between imaginary robots. Anne, meanwhile, half-heartedly sorted through a bin of old holiday decorations, earbuds tucked in and barely listening.

Cass was just grateful she was there.

Then it happened.

Anne picked up a box — heavier than she realized. Cassius said "careful", Anne said "it's fine", and it slipped from her grip, crashing down and sending a tangled mess of glass ornaments skittering across the concrete floor. A few shattered instantly.

Noah jumped back with a yelp. Jessy clapped her hands over her ears. Cass sighed and stepped forward.

"Hey, slow down there, sweetheart. It's okay — just... next time, let me help you with the heavy stuff, alright?"

His voice was gentle, calm, the same patient tone he always used. But Anne's face crumpled, red rising up her neck to her ears. Her eyes went glassy in a way Cass hadn't seen since she was a toddler on the verge of tears.

"I said it's fine!" she snapped, voice breaking. Then she shoved past him, bolting for the door.

Seconds later, he heard the sharp slam of her bedroom door upstairs, followed by the unmistakable click of the lock.

Cass just stood there for a moment, exhaling a long, defeated breath. Jessy tugged at his pant leg, her little face concerned. "Daddy, is Anne mad?"

He forced a smile and patted her head. "No, baby. She's just... growing. It's hard sometimes."

Inside, though, his chest was tight.

He gave Noah a quick nod to finish up stacking boxes — needing to let the boy feel helpful — then scooped Jessy onto his hip. He carried her back into the house, set her up with a coloring book in the living room, and slowly made his way upstairs.

Outside Anne's door, he rested his forehead against the wood, knocking lightly.

"Anne-bug? Can we talk, please?"

Silence. Then a muffled sniff, but no reply.

"Sweetheart, I wasn't upset. I promise. I just didn't want you to get hurt, that's all..."

Nothing.

Cass pressed his palm flat to the door, like he could somehow reach through it, back to the little girl who used to run into his arms over scraped knees and broken dolls.

After a few more quiet attempts, he finally stepped back, heart sinking. He trudged downstairs and found his wife in the kitchen.

She was already looking at him with that soft concern that made him want to spill everything.

Cass scrubbed a hand over his tired face, tried for a smile, but it fell apart.

"I don't... I don't know what to do with her anymore, Love. She's not my little Anne-bug right now. She won't even open the door. And I... I hate this. I hate feeling like I'm losing her." His voice cracked, just a touch, as he leaned against the counter — hoping she would have some magic wisdom, the way she always did, to pull him back together.