He missed the years when coming home meant hearing laughter from the kitchen, seeing his daughter running toward him, and finding his wife waiting at the door.
After Claire died, the house had become unbearable.
Every room reminded him of her.
The garden where they had celebrated Lily's birthdays, the kitchen where Claire used to bake, and even the staircase where she had once taken family photographs all seemed to contain pieces of a life he could no longer recover.
So he worked.
He traveled.
He stayed away.
And whenever guilt became too difficult to bear, he reminded himself that his mother was taking care of Lily.
The telephone rang again.
Daniel glanced at the screen.
It was Marcus Reed, the security manager.
He answered.
"Marcus? Is everything all right?"
There was a brief silence.
"Mr. Whitmore, I apologize for calling so late."
"What's happened?"
"It's about your daughter."
Daniel immediately sat upright.
"Lily? Is she hurt?"
"No, sir. Not physically."
Daniel's stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?"
"I think you need to come home as soon as possible."
"Why?"
Marcus chose his words carefully.
"I have reviewed several recordings from the residence. There are things happening that I believe you should know about."
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Is this about my mother?"
"Yes, sir."
"What has she done?"
"I would rather show you the recordings than describe them over the telephone."
Daniel stood and walked toward the window.
"Marcus, you're making me nervous."
"I understand. But I don't want to give you an incomplete picture."
"Is Lily safe?"
"She is at home, sir."
"Then tell me what's happening."
Marcus paused.
"Your daughter appears to be deeply unhappy. And I don't believe this is an isolated incident."
Daniel closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he asked quietly, "How long?"
"Long enough that I believe you need to act."
Daniel looked at the city lights below.
"Send me everything."
"I can arrange a secure review, sir."
"Do it."
"And Mr. Whitmore?"
"Yes?"
"You should speak to Lily yourself. Not through your mother. Not through anyone else. Just you and her."
Daniel's expression changed.
"All right."
He ended the call.
For a long time, he remained beside the window.
Then he picked up his phone again and searched for the earliest available flight.
He had promised Lily he would call that evening.
He had forgotten.
And now he was beginning to wonder how many other promises he had broken without even realizing it.
***
At six thirty the following morning, Eleanor entered the kitchen.
Mrs. Bennett was preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, madam."
"Good morning."
Eleanor sat at the breakfast table and unfolded the newspaper.
"Has Lily come downstairs?"
"Not yet."
"Make sure she eats before school."
"Of course."
Eleanor turned a page.
"And remind her that I expect her homework to be completed properly this evening."
Mrs. Bennett nodded.
She wanted to tell Eleanor that the child had barely slept the previous night. She wanted to mention that Lily had cried herself to sleep while holding her mother's photograph.
But before she could speak, Eleanor's telephone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Daniel.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Good morning, darling."
"Mother."
Daniel's voice was unusually serious.
"Is Lily awake?"
"She's probably getting ready."
"Put her on the phone."
Eleanor frowned.
"Why?"
"I want to speak to my daughter."
"Of course, but she's getting ready for school."
"Then I'll wait."
Eleanor looked toward Mrs. Bennett.
"Go and get Lily."
Mrs. Bennett immediately left the kitchen.
Eleanor returned her attention to the telephone.
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
"You sound upset."
"I'm tired, Mother."
"You're working too hard. I've told you that before."
Daniel ignored the comment.
"How is Lily doing?"
"Perfectly well."
"Is she eating?"
"Yes."
"Sleeping?"
"Of course."
"Is she happy?"
Eleanor's fingers tightened around the telephone.
"We've already discussed this. She's a child. Children have their moods."
"I asked whether she's happy."
"Daniel, I don't know what you expect me to say."
"Just answer the question."
A moment passed.
"She's fine."
Daniel exhaled.
"I'll be home this afternoon."
Eleanor looked up.
"This afternoon?"
"Yes."
"Your meetings?"
"I've postponed them."
"Why?"
"Because I need to see my daughter."
Eleanor's expression became guarded.
"Is there a problem with the arrangements here?"
"I'll explain when I arrive."
"Daniel, I don't appreciate being questioned as though I haven't done everything for this family."
"I didn't say that."
"Then why are you suddenly behaving this way?"
"Mother, I need to go."
Before she could respond, he ended the call.
Eleanor slowly lowered the phone.
She stared at it for several seconds.
Something was wrong.
She could hear it in his voice.
And for the first time in a long while, she felt that the authority she exercised inside the mansion might not be as secure as she had believed.
***
Upstairs, Lily was sitting on the edge of her bed when Mrs. Bennett entered.
"Good morning, sweetheart."
"Good morning."
"Your daddy is on the telephone."
Lily looked up.
"My daddy?"
"Yes. He wants to speak to you."
The girl's face brightened.
"Really?"
Mrs. Bennett smiled.
"Really."
Lily hurried toward the doorway.
Then she stopped.
"Is he coming home?"
Mrs. Bennett nodded.
"He said he would be home this afternoon."
For a moment, Lily seemed unable to believe what she had heard.
"Today?"
"Today."
The little girl smiled.