My Life — Volume 2

In a tranquil corner of Zurich, the narrator settles into a modest second‑floor room above the old hostelry “Zum Abendstern,” where lake views and quiet mornings frame his everyday routine. Two unlikely companions—Peps, a melodious bird that whistles familiar symphonic motifs, and Peps the dog, a nervous little guardian—bring a playful intimacy to the modest household and softly underscore his work‑filled days.

Life with his wife Minna is outwardly comfortable but edged with unspoken friction. Their shared home is unsettled by a concealed family secret: the young Nathalie, believed to be Minna’s sister, is in fact the narrator’s daughter, a truth that fuels sharp rifts and constant quarrels. The arrival of Karl, a hungry, restless friend who trades meals for sugary indulgences, adds another layer of tension, hinting at further discord as his presence grows increasingly uneasy.