Iris's POV

Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. My father's distrust didn't disappear overnight, but it gradually transformed into silent vigilance and, eventually, respect.

The turning point came on a Sunday when torrential rain poured down. The old roof over the bakery's storage room began to give way under the weight of the water, threatening to flood our entire supply of ingredients. Before my father could even panic, Victor appeared. He spent two hours out in the heav