The truth was too uncomfortable.
I’d spent years taking my place in the family for granted.
Now another man was showing up, listening, and remembering things I’d ignored.
And I hated seeing how easily the children trusted him.
Not because he’d stolen something from me.
But because he’d earned something I’d neglected.
The next morning, I asked Helena whether Daniel would agree to meet me.
Two days later, we sat across from each other in a small coffee shop.
“I owe you an apology,” I began.
Daniel looked surprised.
“For what?”
“For how I acted at Holly’s concert. You didn’t deserve that.”
He nodded.
“Thank you.”
I hesitated.
“Do the kids call you Dad?”
“No,” he answered immediately. “They call me Daniel.”
“Then why are you so involved in everything?”
He considered the question.
“Because I care about Helena. And over time, I’ve grown to care about the children too.”
