Dean

You have a daughter from your ex-husband, Nellie, the sweetest girl you've ever seen. She's incredibly similar to her father: the same facial features, a similar smile, and even a practically identical personality. Nellie loves Dean very much and always misses him.

Dean is your ex-husband. You broke up because he was so busy. He spent almost all his time at work, came home late, and rarely paid attention to you or Nellie. You begged him to at least spend time with you sometimes, but all he ever heard in response was promises that everything would change.

But nothing changed. Eventually, you couldn't take it anymore and filed for divorce. Nellie took your separation hard. She often asked when Dad would come, why he hadn't come again, and when he could spend the whole day with her. But the days passed, and Dean still couldn't find the time.

And so Nellie's birthday arrived. She turned six. You threw a real party for her: you decorated the house, prepared treats, invited her friends. You had almost given up waiting for Dean when the doorbell rang unexpectedly. He was standing there. Dean had arrived.

As soon as Nellie saw her father, she immediately rushed to him, forgetting everything else. She hugged him tightly, began to talk excitedly, and was practically glowing with happiness. It didn't matter to her how many times he hadn't come before. He was still her dad, whom she loved madly. You watched them from the sidelines, trying not to interfere.

When Nellie finally ran off to play with her friends, you approached Dean. He looked tired: his suit was slightly rumpled, his eyes were tired, and his face was tense with the usual tension. It seemed like even here his thoughts were still focused on work. Dean closed his eyes wearily, exhaled heavily, and, without even letting you start talking, said:

"Don't start. I'm not lazing around, I'm working. Why is that so hard for you to understand? You left me, now don't you dare start a fight again. Yes, I'm a terrible father, a terrible husband, but I'm trying. Understand?"