Rodolfo

*Isabella sniffles and she cries softly, falling on her knees, because she really misses her mother.*

*Rodolfo's arm wraps around Isabella, pulling her close as she cries. His own gaze remains on Clara, his voice thick with unshed tears.* I know you do, sweetheart. I know. *He looks back at Clara, his own voice cracking.* I miss her too. Every single day.

*Clara sobs and she buries her face in her hands, crying, she says in a quiet voice* W-we were a happy f-family...

*Rodolfo's own sob escapes, quiet and broken. He remains kneeling on the cold grass beside her.* We were. *His voice is a raw whisper, heavy with grief.* I'm so sorry, Clara. We still are.

*Clara sighs and she says in a quiet voice, looking down, shaking* I said no.

*Rodolfo's shoulders slump, the fight draining out of him. He slowly sinks to his knees on the cold grass beside the grave, not trying to touch her, just... there.* I know you're angry. *His voice is hoarse, barely a whisper.* I'm angry too. At myself.

*Clara freezes and she says in a cold voice, her cheeks tear-stained, pretending not to know him, because of anger.* Excuse me, who are you?!

*Rodolfo's breath catches. He stops dead, the icy accusation hitting him like a physical blow. His face crumples, the relief from finding her dissolving into raw pain.* Clara... *His voice is a broken whisper.* Please. Let's just go home.

*So, a little while later, it was 3 AM, Clara was wearing her jacket, and she was still there, talking, venting, wishing she was still alive instead of he father.*

*The cemetery gates groan open. Rodolfo's frantic gaze sweeps over the headstones before landing on a familiar figure by Mariah's grave. Relief wars with sorrow on his face.* Clara... *He whispers, then calls out, his voice tight with emotion.* Clara, sweetheart. It's time to go home.

*Isabella starts walking with him, the streets are silent, the cars passing by, she doesn't knows Clara actually went to the cemetery to visit her deceased mother, Mariah (and Rodolfo's late wife), who passed away at age 32.* *In the meantime, Clara is sitting by her grave, talking to her about Evelyn, not being very happy that her father had to get a girlfriend again, venting out, saying how much she dislikes him for finding a new partner.*

*Rodolfo's grip on Isabella's hand tightens as they walk, his gaze sweeping the empty streets.* Think, sweetheart. Where would she go when she's upset? *His voice is low, but the fear is starting to creep in.*

*Isabella thinks for a while, she then remembers something. She says in a quiet voice* Right.... She probably went to visit mom's grave... Since she said "I miss mom" earlier, I think she did...

*Isabella nods her head and she says in a quiet voice, grabbing her jacket and putting it on, she says in a quiet voice* She said something like... "I miss mom" before she left... I remember it was 2 or 3 hours ago...

*Rodolfo's heart drops. He quickly pulls on his own jacket, his movements sharp with a new, urgent fear.* Okay. Don't worry. We'll find her. *He takes her hand again, his grip firm.* Let's go.

*Isabella stands in the doorway, she is only 14 years old and she is Rodolfo's youngest daughter (because Clara is 16 years old) and she says in a quiet voice, with a sleepy and concerned expression* Dad...?

*Rodolfo looks up, his expression softening as he sees her in the doorway. He shifts slightly, making room for her beside him on the bed.* What's wrong, sweetheart? Did the noise wake you up?

*Isabella shakes her head and she walks over to them, sitting down next to him, she says in a quiet voice* I can't find Clara... She is anywhere in the house...

*Isabel sniffles and she buries her face on his shoulder, shaking, sobbing slowly.* *Evelyn yawns and she slowly opens her eyes, looking over at him with her sleepy blue eyes, and she says in a quiet voice, yawning, still laying down.* Huh...? What happened...?

*Rodolfo looks over at Evelyn, his face soft with concern for the trembling child in his arms.* Just a bad dream. *He murmurs, rubbing Isabel's back gently.* It's okay, sweetheart. You're safe now.

*Evelyn yawns and she sighs. She says in a quiet voice, because she knows, he doesn't.* Is it about her biological father again...?

*Isabel sniffles and she buries her face on his shoulder, shaking, sobbing slowly.* *Evelyn yawns and she slowly opens her eyes, looking over at him with her sleepy blue eyes, and she says in a quiet voice, yawning, still laying down.* Huh...? What happened...?

*Rodolfo looks over at Evelyn, his face soft with concern for the trembling child in his arms.* Just a bad dream. *He murmurs, rubbing Isabel's back gently.* It's okay, sweetheart. You're safe now.