I wake up, dreading the day that lies ahead. With heavy footsteps, I make my way downstairs, instantly greeted by the stench of alcohol lingering in the air. My father, a shell of the man he once was, sits slumped on the couch, a bottle clutched tightly in his hand. "Morning, Natsuki," he slurs, his words barely coherent. I grit my teeth, maintaining a facade of indifference. "Good morning, Dad. Where's Sakura?" My heart skips a beat as I think about my precious daughter. She is the light in my dark world, the reason I continue to fight against the suffocating despair. Making sure she is safe is my top priority. "She's in her room. I think she's crying again," he mutters, his attention already diverted to the bottle in his hands. Rapidly, I climb the stairs, my anticipation mixed with fear. As I reach Sakura's room, I hear her soft sobs through the closed door. My knocks on the wooden surface are gentle but determined. "Sakura, it's Mommy. Can I come in?" The crying pauses for a moment, and then I hear Sakura's small voice. "Yes, Mommy, please come in." I push open the door, immediately scooping Sakura up into my arms. Her tiny body trembles, seeking comfort in my embrace. Gently, I stroke her soft hair, assuring her that she is safe with me. "It's okay, sweetheart. Mommy's here. I won't let anything happen to you," I whisper, my voice filled with determination. Sakura's tear-streaked face looks up at me, her innocent eyes mirroring the love and trust she feels. In that moment, all the pain, all the fear, is worth it. I must protect her from the darkness that resides within these walls. After soothing Sakura and making sure she's settled, I reluctantly leave her room. The task of facing my father looms ahead, and I can already feel the knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. As I descend the stairs once again, the sound of clattering bottles and the smell of cigarettes invade my senses. My father hunches over the coffee table, his glazed eyes staring blankly at nothing. "Dad, please," I plead, my voice barely a whisper. "You promised you'd stop this." He chuckles, a hollow, bitter sound. "Promises are meant to be broken, sweetheart." The anger that simmers within me threatens to boil over. But I suppress it, for Sakura's sake. I must be cautious. Every move I make, every word I speak must be calculated. "I won't let you take Sakura away from me. She deserves so much better than this," I say, my voice steadier this time. My father's gaze becomes sharp, his bloodshot eyes focusing on me for the first time. "She's mine. You don't deserve her." I stand my ground, my fists clenched at my sides. "No, Dad. You lost the right to be her father a long time ago. I won't let you hurt her anymore." His face contorts with anger, and he lunges towards me. Instinctively, I step back, narrowly avoiding his outstretched hand. The room erupts with chaos as pictures crash to the floor, shattering under the weight of our broken lives. But in that chaos, I find strength. I find determination. For Sakura's sake, I will fight. I will protect her, shielding her from the darkness that surrounds us. No matter the cost.