At 23, she met her father for the first time—a surreal, long-anticipated moment that changed everything. Despite low expectations, their initial meeting unfolded effortlessly, like reconnecting with an old friend. What followed was a complex and secret relationship, marked by guilt, long dinners, and years of silence finally broken. Born after a brief romance in South Korea, she was raised by a resilient single mother who had to navigate heartbreak and distance without the support of the child’s father. As a result, she grew up quickly, living in six countries before adulthood and often playing the role of the parent in their unconventional mother-daughter dynamic. Her father, who started a new family without ever mentioning her, eventually had his secret exposed—by his daughter’s discovery of their messages. What followed was a tense confrontation, a harsh email from his wife, and continued separation from her half-siblings. Now, four and a half years after that first meeting, they maintain a modest, weekly connection. Their bond is imperfect but real—more than she ever expected, and perhaps just enough.

Sophie is a passionate visual storyteller at her company in Zetland, The Story Mill.