Upon hearing the voice from the other end, an overwhelming wave of awkwardness coursed through Ariana.

Melon, a mixture of sniffles and anger, exclaimed, "Daddy, your wife was stabbed, and yet you're not coming to see her?"

For a brief moment, a heavy silence hung between the two adults, shrouding the room in an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Ultimately, it was Holden who chose to break the oppressive silence.

He cleared his throat and inquired with a measured tone, "How are you now? Are you feeling better? Does the wound still hurt?"