Seeking critique for a 3,000-word retired clockmaker story about an estranged daught

[Sophia32]

I've just finished a draft of a short story, about 3,000 words, that I'm hoping to submit to a few literary magazines, but I've been staring at it for so long I've lost all objectivity. It's a character-driven piece about a retired clockmaker confronting his estranged daughter, and I'm worried the pacing in the middle section drags and that the symbolic elements feel too heavy-handed. I would be immensely grateful for a fresh set of eyes to tell me where the narrative loses steam or if the emotional payoff at the end feels earned. For those willing to critique, I'm most interested in feedback on prose clarity, character motivation, and overall impact—I can handle constructive criticism, I just need to know if it works.