She was seven now, having celebrated her birthday 2 months ago with a party that Rachel had helped organize. The guest list had included 12 first graders, three clowns, and enough cake to feed a small army. I am tired, baby girl. Then why do you keep going to work so much? Because Miss Victoria left me a very important job, and I promised I would do it." Lily poked at her cereal.
She'd been doing that a lot lately, picking at food, staring into space, asking questions that had no easy answers. Daddy. Yeah. Why did Miss Victoria leave you her job? You're not her family.
Daniel's chest tightened. They'd had versions of this conversation before, but Lily was getting older, smarter. Her questions were getting harder to deflect. Sometimes family isn't about blood, sweetheart. Sometimes it's about who you choose.
Did Miss Victoria choose us? Yes, she did. Why? Daniel sat down his coffee cup. He'd known this moment would come eventually.
He just hadn't expected it so soon. Lily, do you remember when we talked about how you were adopted? Yeah. You said my tummy mommy loved me very much but couldn't take care of me. So, Mommy Rebecca adopted me.
And then when she went to heaven, you adopted me. That's right. Daniel took a breath. Miss Victoria, she knew your tummy. Mommy, Lily, they were very close.
Lily's eyes widened. They were Yes. And Miss Victoria wanted to make sure you were taken care of. That's why she left me her job, so I could take care of you and give you everything your tummy mommy would have wanted you to have. It wasn't the whole truth, but it was enough for now.
Enough to satisfy a seven-year-old's curiosity without shattering her world. So, Miss Victoria was like, "My tummy mommy's friend." Something like that. Lily seemed to consider this. Then she nodded, apparently satisfied, and returned to her cereal. Daniel exhaled slowly.
He'd bought himself time. But the clock was ticking and someday soon he would have to tell her everything. His phone buzzed. A text from his assistant, Marcus Webb, called emergency board meeting. 10:00 a.m. Attendance mandatory.
Daniel's jaw tightened. 6 months of relative peace and now Marcus was making his move. Mrs. Patterson, he called. The elderly woman appeared in the doorway. Yes, dear.
I need to go to work early. Can you take Lily to school? Of course. Mrs. Patterson looked at his face and frowned. Trouble always.
Daniel kissed Lily's forehead, grabbed his briefcase, and headed for the door. Whatever Marcus was planning, Daniel would be ready. Or so he thought. The boardroom was packed when Daniel arrived. Every seat was taken, every face grim.
Marcus Webb sat at the head of the table, Daniel's seat with a smile that made Daniel want to punch him. Ah, Mr. Carter, so glad you could join us. You're in my chair, Marcus. Am I? I thought this was a democratic institution.
Daniel walked to the head of the table and stood directly over Marcus. Move. Make me. The tension in the room was suffocating. Board members exchanged nervous glances.