Eleanor shook her head.
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it?"
"You're listening to a child who doesn't understand the responsibilities of running a household."
Daniel stepped closer.
"She is eight years old, Mother. She doesn't need to understand the responsibilities of running a household."
Eleanor's eyes flashed.
"And who has been running it? You?"
Daniel went quiet.
She seized the opportunity.
"Where were you when she needed someone? Where were you when Claire died? Where were you when Lily woke up crying every night?"
Daniel looked down.
Eleanor continued.
"I was here. I was the one who got her dressed, took her to school, arranged her meals, and made sure she had everything. I sacrificed my own time to care for your daughter."
"I know you helped."
"Then why are you treating me like a criminal?"
"Because helping her doesn't give you the right to hurt her."
Eleanor stared at him.
"How dare you?"
Daniel's voice remained low.
"I watched the recordings, Mother."
"You don't understand the situation."
"Then explain it."
"She has become difficult. She refuses to listen. She spends all her time looking at that woman's photograph and writing foolish stories."
Daniel's expression changed.
"That woman?"
Eleanor immediately realized what she had said.
"Your wife," she corrected herself.
"My wife was Lily's mother."
"I know that."
"Then show her some respect."
Eleanor turned away.
"I am tired of this conversation."
Daniel looked toward Marcus.
"Bring up the recording."
Marcus opened a small tablet and placed it on the table.
The screen displayed the entrance hall.
Eleanor looked at it.
Daniel pressed play.
The room filled with the sound of Lily apologizing.
Eleanor stood motionless.
When the recording reached the moment where Lily begged to keep the photograph, Daniel paused it.
"Do you remember this?"
Eleanor crossed her arms.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you let her keep it?"
"I never said she couldn't have it forever."
"She thought she had lost it."
"That was a misunderstanding."
Daniel stared at her.
"She was crying."
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Perhaps if you had been home, you wouldn't need to ask me these questions."
The words struck him.
For a moment, he looked as though he had been slapped.
He could not deny that he had been absent.
He could not deny that his mother had carried responsibilities he had abandoned.
But none of that changed what he had seen.
"You're right," he said quietly.
Eleanor looked surprised.
Daniel continued.
"I should have been home. I should have paid attention. I should have noticed that my daughter was unhappy."
He took a breath.
"But my absence does not excuse what you've done."
Eleanor's face turned pale.
Daniel looked toward the staircase.
"Where is Lily?"
"In her room."
"I'm going to see her."
"Daniel, we haven't finished."
"We have."
He walked past her.
Marcus followed.
Mrs. Bennett lowered her eyes, hiding the relief on her face.
Eleanor remained in the entrance hall.
The marble floor beneath her feet reflected her image.
For the first time, the house did not feel entirely under her control.
***
Lily was sitting at her desk when she heard footsteps outside her bedroom.
She was drawing a small garden.
A tree stood in the center, and beneath it were two figures holding hands.
She looked toward the door.
A soft knock followed.
"Lily?"
She immediately recognized the voice.
Her pencil fell.
"Daddy?"
The door opened.
Daniel stood there.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Lily climbed down from her chair.
"Daddy!"
She ran toward him.
Daniel dropped to his knees and opened his arms.
His daughter collided with him.
He held her tightly.
"Oh, sweetheart."
Lily wrapped both arms around his neck.
"Daddy!"
Daniel pressed his cheek against her hair.
"I'm here."
She pulled back enough to look at him.
"You're really home?"
"I'm really home."
"You're not leaving?"
"Not today."
"Tomorrow?"
Daniel swallowed.
"Tomorrow either."
Lily looked at him carefully.
Then she asked, "Did I do something wrong?"
Daniel's heart broke.
"What?"
"Did I do something wrong at school?"
He held her face between his hands.
"No, sweetheart."
"Then why were you away so long?"
Daniel looked into her eyes.
He had prepared himself for anger.
He had expected questions about work, travel, and promises.
He had not prepared himself for that.
"Because I made a mistake," he said.
Lily frowned.
"What mistake?"
"I thought working all the time was the best way to take care of you."
She looked confused.
"But I wanted you."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"I know."
"I waited for you."
He hugged her again.
"I'm sorry."
Lily rested her head against his shoulder.
"Can we read a story now?"
Daniel laughed softly through his tears.
"Yes. We can read as many stories as you want."
She suddenly remembered something.
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Can we make pancakes?"
"Of course."
"With chocolate?"
"Especially with chocolate."
Lily smiled.
Then she whispered, "Can we make them tomorrow too?"
Daniel nodded.
"Tomorrow too."
The little girl seemed satisfied.
But when Daniel stood, he noticed the drawing on the desk.
Two figures stood beneath a tree.
One was a woman.
The other was a child.
He picked it up.
"Is this Mummy?"
Lily nodded.
"That's us."
Daniel studied the drawing.
"And who's the other person?"