Chapter 1

A man in his late 20s, Daniel, can be seen having a leisurely breakfast at the dining table. The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on his face. His wife, Susan, stood at the kitchen sink, meticulously washing the dishes they had used the previous evening, her engagement ring glistening in the light. At the opposite end of the dining table, their four years old daughter, Trish, was engrossed in her cereal, occasionally giggling at her father's antics.

"Honey, have you been watching the news lately?" Susan asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Daniel looked up from his newspaper, a smile playing on his lips. "You know I gave up on the news last month. It was just too much negativity."

Susan chuckled, her hands deep in soapy water. "Well, you've missed quite the spectacle. Our country's scientists are on the brink of a groundbreaking discovery, a medication that could potentially eradicate all illnesses worldwide. They're even joking about immortality. Can you believe that?"

Daniel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Susan's description of the news. "Immortality, huh? Now, that's something. But let's not get carried away; it's probably just a scientific breakthrough."

As Susan continued washing dishes, they both tuned into the television. A female announcer with a soothing voice caught their attention. "Today, scientists are set to unveil their progress on these wonder drugs. Do you think this could be a genuine breakthrough for humanity?"

The male announcer chimed in, his tone more skeptical. "While it holds immense promise, we should also consider the potential downsides. It could lead to a significant reduction in the demand for medical professionals and affect many livelihoods."

With a psssh, the sound of the TV being switched off filled the room. Susan turned toward Daniel, her eyes dancing with amusement. "I don't know what they meant by medical professionals losing their jobs, but I find it all rather amusing."

Daniel laughed, realizing how much he missed these little moments of shared humor. "Well, it's good to know that some things never change."

With the breakfast table cleared, Daniel rose from his chair, tucking his newspaper under his arm. "I should get going, love. Another day at the office beckons."

Susan's expression turned thoughtful. "Honey, aren't you forgetting something important?"

Daniel furrowed his brow, momentarily puzzled. Then it hit him, the daily tradition he held dear. He sighed, berating himself silently for his lapse. "How could I forget? Maybe the stress at work is getting to me."

He walked over to Susan, tenderly planting a kiss on her cheek. Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and she reciprocated with a kiss of her own. "I love you, honey," she said, her voice filled with genuine affection.

"I love you too, Susan," Daniel replied, his heart warmed by her words.

Next, he turned his attention to Trish, who was busy drawing colorful shapes on her placemat. He lifted her from her chair and planted a gentle kiss on her tiny cheek. "I love you, Trish. Dad's got to go to work."

Trish's face lit up with a radiant smile as she returned the affection. "Daddy, I love you. Have a safe journey."

Hearing his daughter's heartfelt words melted any residual stress that lingered in Daniel's heart. He couldn't help but smile back at her. "I promise to bring back some ice cream."

Trish couldn't contain her excitement, her little feet dancing on the dining table. "I can't wait for the ice cream, Dad!"

But her jubilation was short-lived when Susan interjected with a motherly tone. "Trish, if you don't stop that, there will be no ice cream for you."

Trish's mood did a quick 180 degree turn. She pouted and muttered, "I hate you, Mommy," in a playful but sullen manner.

Observing this exchange, Daniel felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. It was moments like these that made life worth living. Without thinking, he muttered, "I love you, Trish, Susan."

His words brought simultaneous smiles to both his wife and daughter's faces. They chimed in unison, "We love you too."

Susan, ever the practical one, redirected the conversation. "You should start heading to work, honey, before it's too late."

Daniel glanced at the clock and realized he was running late. "Oops, I almost forgot." He hastily picked up his briefcase and made his way toward the door.

However, as he reached for the doorknob, Susan's voice held a note of concern. "Honey, I've noticed you've been wearing a sad look when you come back from work these past few weeks. Is anything wrong?"

Daniel hesitated for a moment, a mix of uncertainty and sadness in his voice. The weight of unspoken concerns bore down on his shoulders. "No, honey, there isn't."

Susan's caring eyes bore into his, and though she wanted to delve deeper into his feelings, she decided against it for now. Instead, she offered a reassuring smile. "Goodbye, honey."

"Bye," Daniel replied as he opened the door and stepped out into the day.

Little did Daniel know that this would be the last time they would be together as a family.