Someday she would know about the mother who searched for her, the mother who died for her, the mother who loved her from first breath to last. But not today. Today she was 7 years old and safe and loved. Today that was enough. Daniel walked to his bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed.
The bed Victoria had asked about the bed that was still big enough for two, but occupied by one. He opened the journal and read the last entry again. Victoria's unfinished sentence echoing in his mind. I love him. I love Lily.
And I'm sorry for all the years I missed. I'm sorry I was too afraid to too afraid to what? Too afraid to love. Too afraid to hope. Too afraid to believe she deserved happiness.
Daniel would never know. But he liked to think he understood. Victoria had been afraid of the same things he was afraid of. Rejection, disappointment, the crushing weight of love that might not be returned. But she'd asked anyway.
She'd taken the risk. And even though fate had stolen her chance at an answer, she'd died knowing one thing for certain. His bed was big enough for two. And if things had been different, she would have been the one beside him. Two years passed and Lily Carter grew into a girl who asked too many questions.
She was nine now, tall for her age with Victoria's dark eyes and a stubborn streak that Daniel recognized as his own. She had started fourth grade in September and had already been sent to the principal's office twice. Once for arguing with her teacher about dinosaur extinction theories and once for punching a boy who said her father didn't deserve to be CEO. He said, "You only got the job because some lady felt sorry for you." Lily explained that evening sitting at the kitchen table with an ice pack on her knuckles. He said his dad told him you were a charity case.
Daniel sat across from her trying to look stern and failing miserably and punching him seemed like the appropriate response. He was wrong. You're not a charity case. You're the best CEO Hayes Enterprises ever had. Second best, Daniel corrected gently.
Victoria was the best. Lily's face softened at the mention of Victoria's name. She still kept a photo of Miss Victoria on her nightstand. Still talked about her sometimes before bed. still asked questions Daniel wasn't ready to answer. Daddy, can I ask you something?
You just did. Daddy. Okay. Okay. Ask.
Lily sat down the ice pack and looked at him with those eyes. Victoria's eyes full of intelligence and determination. Why did Miss Victoria leave everything to me? Daniel's heart stopped. What do you mean?
I'm not stupid. I know I'm going to inherit the company when I'm 25. Mrs. Patterson told me she didn't mean to, but I heard her talking to the mailman about it. Lily leaned forward. Why would Miss Victoria leave her whole company to me?