28.

The restaurant was warm and inviting, with golden chandeliers casting a soft glow over the neatly arranged tables. The aroma of grilled steak and freshly baked bread filled the air as Ella and her father sat across from each other, their plates already half-empty.

Ella watched her father with a soft smile, "So… are you ready?" she asked, twirling her fork between her fingers.

Eric chuckled, setting down his wine glass. "To travel the world? Of course. But to leave you alone? Not so much."

 

Ella rolled her eyes with a grin. "I'll be fine, Dad. Since this has always been a dream of yours, then you should go live it."

He shook his head fondly. "That's the thing about being a father, Ella. We worry." He chuckled, "No matter how grown-up you are, you'll always be the little girl I cradled when you were a toddler."

Ella laughed embarrassingly, "Please Dad... I am an independent young lady, not a toddler. Go live a little."