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<\/p>\n\u201cBut you can still grow into a better man,\u201d Emily continued. \u201cYou simply have to stop making me the reason.\u201d He looked into her eyes. \u201cWhat about Grace?\u201d \u201cBecome the man she always believed her daddy was.\u201d Alexander turned his face away. Emily inhaled slowly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to see her now.\u201d \u201cI won\u2019t come after you.\u201d \u201cThank you.\u201d He acknowledged her words with a nod. She headed toward the doorway, then suddenly paused. \u201cThere is one more thing you need to hear.\u201d Alexander faced her again. Something uncertain had appeared beneath the sadness in Emily\u2019s expression. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d \u201cBefore we lost Grace, she asked me to protect something for her.\u201d He waited silently.<\/p>\n
\u201cA little blue box.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander frowned. \u201cWhat did she put inside?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not certain. She said it belonged to you, but I was supposed to wait until you were ready before giving it to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
His chest felt painfully tight.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would she tell you that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked the same question. She answered, \u2018Daddy has to remember.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily opened her handbag and took out a small package covered in paper.<\/p>\n
Its corners were slightly worn, suggesting someone had carried it around for several days.<\/p>\n
Alexander stared at the object.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere did she find it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was tucked inside the pocket of her yellow sweater.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hesitated to reach for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat exactly is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily extended the package toward him.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrace made me promise I wouldn\u2019t look inside.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander accepted it carefully in both hands.<\/p>\n
Uneven purple stars covered the wrapping paper. Across the front were words written in a little child\u2019s handwriting.<\/p>\n
For Daddy.<\/p>\n
His breathing became unsteady.<\/p>\n
Emily observed him quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe created it at preschool,\u201d she explained. \u201cHer teacher said she had spent the whole week making it. She kept talking about surprising you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander stared at the uneven lettering.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, he remembered everything: Grace approaching him with her picture that morning, the bright yellow sweater, her cheerful little voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, look!\u201d<\/p>\n
He had taken her drawing without paying proper attention.<\/p>\n
Now his hands shook as he carefully removed the paper.<\/p>\n
Inside lay a small blue notebook, similar to the ones preschool children filled with pictures and their earliest written words.<\/p>\n
Grace had drawn three people beneath an uneven blue sky on the opening page.<\/p>\n
Their family.<\/p>\n
On the following page, she had written a short message with her teacher\u2019s assistance.<\/p>\n
Daddy, when you come, I have something to tell you.<\/p>\n
Alexander could not look away.<\/p>\n
Emily spoke in a trembling whisper.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was something else on the following page. I couldn\u2019t bring myself to read it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He carefully turned over the paper.<\/p>\n
The letters were bigger now, their shapes increasingly uneven.<\/p>\n
Beside a drawing of an airplane sat a bright red suitcase.<\/p>\n
Below the picture, Grace had written:<\/p>\n
Mommy says Toronto is far away.<\/p>\n
Alexander went completely still.<\/p>\n
He looked up at Emily.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe already knew?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI mentioned the employment opportunity to her,\u201d Emily explained. \u201cJust one time. I said we might need to move somewhere else temporarily. She wanted to know whether you would travel with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat answer did you give her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told her I wasn\u2019t sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander felt as though the floor had shifted beneath him.<\/p>\n
Tears gathered in Emily\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
Alexander slowly turned the page again.<\/p>\n
Only a single sentence appeared.<\/p>\n
Daddy, will you come too?<\/p>\n
Neither spoke for a very long moment.<\/p>\n
Then Emily whispered, \u201cShe waited for you that afternoon because she wanted to hear your answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander pressed the little notebook close to his chest.<\/p>\n
Beyond the glass entrance, falling rain turned the buildings into blurred gray shapes.<\/p>\n
And underneath the sorrow he had carried all the way from Chicago, a painful realization began forming\u2014something he had never imagined before.<\/p>\n
Grace had been waiting for more than her father to arrive.<\/p>\n
She had wanted to know whether the three of them would remain a family.<\/p>\n
Alexander looked at the message once more.<\/p>\n
Daddy, will you come too?<\/p>\n
Grace had used a purple crayon, forming letters that tilted in different directions. The question was so innocent that it seemed impossible for it to carry so much pain.<\/p>\n
Yet it did.<\/p>\n
He remembered Grace watching him expectantly that morning, hoping he would pay attention to her artwork. His thoughts had been elsewhere\u2014business notifications, appointments, and preparations for a birthday event that had seemed urgent at the time.<\/p>\n
She had wanted something more meaningful than praise for a drawing.<\/p>\n
She had been waiting for him to answer her question.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you mention this to me?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Emily\u2019s expression grew tense. \u201cI made attempts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout the move to Toronto?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stared down at the notebook.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should have paid attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d she answered softly. \u201cYou should have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her voice carried no bitterness anymore. Only deep weariness.<\/p>\n
A woman standing near reception briefly looked their way before respectfully turning aside. The ordinary workday continued around them\u2014telephones ringing, elevators arriving, shoes moving across shining floors\u2014while Alexander remained caught in a moment that had started long before today.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid Grace bring it up many times?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot really. She worried about making me sad.\u201d Emily managed a faint, sorrowful smile. \u201cGrace noticed everything. She could always tell when grown-ups were troubled.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander gently touched the notebook\u2019s edge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you say to her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat the three of us would discuss it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that conversation never happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never had it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He lowered his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily glanced at the notebook he was holding.<\/p>\n
His throat tightened painfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I adored her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her reassurance could not ease his sadness. He was beginning to realize that genuine love did not prevent someone from making mistakes. A person could love deeply and still fail to be present when it mattered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you let me accompany you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Emily glanced toward the doors streaked with rain.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo visit the cemetery?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise I won\u2019t disturb you. I won\u2019t expect you to make me feel better. I only want to spend a little time close to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily remained silent for a long moment.<\/p>\n
Eventually, she gently shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
He respected her decision, even though every part of him wanted to ask her to reconsider.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a brief moment, she appeared surprised.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t going to try changing my mind?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you already told me no.\u201d<\/p>\n
A little of the tension left her expression, although the change was subtle.<\/p>\n
Alexander continued holding the notebook against his chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay I hold on to this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe made it for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He gave a quiet nod.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise I\u2019ll keep it safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily held his gaze. \u201cThere\u2019s something you must recognize. Protecting a notebook is very different from protecting the child who created it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you certain?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m learning.\u201d<\/p>\n
She watched him closely, perhaps expecting the old frustration to emerge beneath his unusually calm behavior. When it never appeared, she seemed unsure how to respond.<\/p>\n
At last, she spoke. \u201cThere\u2019s another page.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander glanced at the notebook.<\/p>\n
\u201cI assumed I\u2019d reached the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI never looked at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause the back cover was taped shut when I discovered it. Grace had written my name across it. I believed she wanted me to protect it until I understood what should happen next.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily opened her handbag once more.<\/p>\n
She retrieved a folded sheet from a small compartment inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI removed this from the notebook after reaching Toronto,\u201d she explained. \u201cBut I never read what was written.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander studied the folded paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy give it to me today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause she created it for you. And you have a right to understand what she was trying to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
He gently accepted the sheet.<\/p>\n
It had been folded over several times. On the outside, Grace had written a short message using a blue marker.<\/p>\n
For Daddy only.<\/p>\n
Alexander carefully opened it.<\/p>\n
A child\u2019s drawing filled the inside. It showed a house with uneven walls and an oversized roof. Three people stood outside, their hands joined together.<\/p>\n
Beside them, Grace had added another figure.<\/p>\n
It resembled an airplane.<\/p>\n
Under the picture were the words:<\/p>\n
If Mommy goes far, we can visit.<\/p>\n
Alexander continued staring until the letters became difficult to distinguish.<\/p>\n
Emily spoke in a gentle voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe believed being far apart was something people could overcome if they truly wanted to.\u201d<\/p>\n
He shut his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe expected all of us to travel together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe believed you would decide to join us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The paper shook slightly between his fingers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI should have chosen that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He carefully refolded the drawing, taking his time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how I\u2019m supposed to carry this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t required to figure that out today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea how to continue without her.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time, Emily struggled to maintain her composure.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither do I.\u201d<\/p>\n
They faced each other, each carrying memories of the daughter they deeply missed. Since Alexander\u2019s arrival in Toronto, this was the first silence that did not feel like a consequence of his mistakes.<\/p>\n
It felt like two parents mourning together.<\/p>\n
He wanted to hold her hand.<\/p>\n
But he remained still.<\/p>\n
After several moments, Emily spoke. \u201cI need to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
She started toward the entrance.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmily.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stopped walking but kept facing forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t visit your apartment again unless you agree beforehand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t contact your workplace or have anyone monitor your movements.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the tension eased from her shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I won\u2019t pressure you to return home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now she turned around.<\/p>\n
Alexander made himself look directly into her eyes.<\/p>\n
Emily examined his expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that genuinely what you feel, or are you repeating what you believe I want to hear?\u201d<\/p>\n
He reflected on her question.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not completely certain yet. But I understand that it\u2019s something I have to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
She remained quiet for several seconds.<\/p>\n
Then she gave one small nod and walked away.<\/p>\n
Alexander stayed in the reception area until the glass entrance doors shut behind her.<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes afterward, Daniel telephoned.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoss, will you be returning to Chicago?\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander glanced at Grace\u2019s notebook.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel paused. \u201cWould you like me to cancel the remaining appointments this week?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPostpone whatever isn\u2019t urgent. Arrange video meetings for anything that cannot wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstood.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne more thing, Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cArrange for someone to manage the companies during my absence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly for a short period?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t decided.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel fell silent.<\/p>\n
Alexander had never responded with such uncertainty before. Every aspect of his existence had revolved around confident, decisive answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you certain about this?\u201d Daniel asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Alexander admitted. \u201cBut I\u2019m moving forward with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He spent the afternoon wandering through Toronto without choosing a particular destination.<\/p>\n
Although the streets were unfamiliar, the city did not feel unwelcoming. Pedestrians hurried past in thick scarves against the chilly weather. Red-and-white streetcars traveled along the roads. Eventually, he entered a modest waterfront caf\u00e9, ordered tea, and settled beside the window.<\/p>\n
He opened Grace\u2019s notebook once more.<\/p>\n
Almost every page contained a drawing.<\/p>\n
A violet-colored kitten. A bright yellow school bus. A birthday cake covered with far too many candles.<\/p>\n
One picture showed Emily sitting beside Grace\u2019s bed with a book. Another portrayed Alexander kneeling near a toy stove while wearing a crown made from paper.<\/p>\n
He remembered that afternoon.<\/p>\n
Grace had declared him the king of her pretend restaurant.<\/p>\n
For twenty minutes, he had worn the paper crown while she prepared imaginary meals and served plastic soup.<\/p>\n
Back then, he had repeatedly glanced at his phone between her pretend courses.<\/p>\n
But in her drawing, he appeared completely focused on her.<\/p>\n
Alexander set the notebook on the tabletop and buried his face in his hands.<\/p>\n
A waitress approached with concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me, sir. Are you feeling okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
He slowly uncovered his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
She glanced briefly at the notebook before looking back at him. \u201cCould I bring you a glass of water?\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded gratefully.<\/p>\n
After she walked away, his phone began ringing.<\/p>\n
Madison was calling.<\/p>\n
He accepted the call.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is she doing?\u201d Madison asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean Emily?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has started working.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat isn\u2019t what I was asking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander gazed through the window at the rain.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s struggling with her loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison drew a quiet breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you able to speak with her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid she tell you to go away?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe asked me not to accompany her to the cemetery.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat seems understandable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison paused briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you tell her you were sorry?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened afterward?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe accepted that I meant it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a positive sign.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Alexander replied. \u201cNot necessarily.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison settled back in her chair. Through the phone, he could hear distant conversations and dishes clinking.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think you can change?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, at least you\u2019re telling the truth now.\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned to the notebook page showing their family beneath the blue sky.<\/p>\n
\u201cMadison, were you aware Emily was thinking about moving to Toronto?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDaniel told me she contacted my office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t aware of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe spent weeks attempting to have a conversation with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something I need to admit.\u201d<\/p>\n
He immediately became attentive.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about the birthday post for Olivia.\u201d<\/p>\n
He waited for her to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was the one who wrote the caption.\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned his gaze toward the window.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you actually write?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve already seen it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want you to tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison paused.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wrote that you had personally organized the whole celebration and that you and Olivia were meant to be together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would you write that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia wanted me to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander tightened his grip on the phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe specifically requested it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe told me it would be amusing. She wanted to know whether you\u2019d respond. I assumed she wasn\u2019t serious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you published it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas she aware I had a wife?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, Alex. She knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid she ever ask you to remove the post?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. I took it down after noticing Emily had liked it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander shut his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you mention any of this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt ashamed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMadison.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I made a mistake. I should have explained everything immediately. But when we spoke, you were already distressed about Grace. I convinced myself that a social media caption wasn\u2019t important compared with everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt mattered enormously to Emily.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand that now.\u201d<\/p>\n
He remained silent.<\/p>\n
Madison lowered her voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia knew Emily was upset. She asked whether you had mentioned anything concerning the necklace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander opened his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you answer?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told her I hadn\u2019t heard anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy was she asking?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI figured she was concerned Emily might get the wrong impression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander looked down at the blue notebook.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid Olivia know that necklace was originally meant for Emily?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison answered without hesitation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you absolutely sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex, I accompanied you when you purchased it. You wanted my opinion about the gemstone because you remembered Emily liked diamonds with a pale appearance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander suddenly remembered.<\/p>\n
Several months earlier, he had bought the necklace after Emily casually admired a similar piece displayed in a jewelry store window.<\/p>\n
He planned to surprise her with it on their wedding anniversary.<\/p>\n
Then Olivia\u2019s father invited him to a private business dinner. Olivia joined them later that evening. When Alexander drove her home, the necklace remained inside his vehicle.<\/p>\n
He had completely forgotten about it.<\/p>\n
Olivia eventually discovered it.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe told Emily she had seen it inside my car,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid she really?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know for certain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison fell quiet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you suggesting?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia told me she discovered it in the guest bedroom at your house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander\u2019s expression became serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe never entered that bedroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid Olivia actually tell you that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why would she tell Emily she discovered it in my vehicle?\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison had no explanation.<\/p>\n
Alexander abruptly rose, scraping his chair against the caf\u00e9 floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cMadison, is there something else you\u2019re keeping from me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure it\u2019s relevant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not accusing her of dishonesty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you just admitted she gave two different explanations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you I don\u2019t know what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexander moved toward the caf\u00e9 entrance.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid Olivia ever enter my private study?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a brief silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn what occasions?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA few times. She said she needed to discuss something confidential with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid I authorize her to go inside?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI never did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madison sounded increasingly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex, I\u2019m sorry. I should have mentioned it. But Olivia has known our family for years. Nobody imagined\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody considered asking Emily how she felt about any of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He ended the conversation before Madison could reply.<\/p>\n
Outside, the rainfall had ended, leaving the sidewalks wet and reflective.<\/p>\n
Alexander remained beneath the caf\u00e9\u2019s shelter, holding his phone.<\/p>\n
His first impulse was to contact Olivia immediately.<\/p>\n
He wanted an explanation.<\/p>\n
But then he remembered Emily\u2019s letter.<\/p>\n
Do not make your regret the center of my grief.<\/p>\n
Throughout his life, whenever something unsettled him, he had demanded explanations until he felt in control again. He had mistaken collecting information for genuinely understanding people.<\/p>\n
If Olivia had been dishonest, discovering the truth was important.<\/p>\n
But that truth could never excuse his own failure to be there for his family.<\/p>\n
Instead, he contacted Daniel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas Olivia ever allowed into my private office at the house?\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel paused before answering.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot through any official arrangement.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what I\u2019m asking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel understood his meaning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll review the records.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep it discreet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Daniel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, boss?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t intimidate anyone or pressure them into speaking. I only want verified information.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel hesitated briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstood.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you can still grow into a better man,\u201d Emily continued. \u201cYou simply have to stop making me the reason.\u201d He looked into her eyes. \u201cWhat about Grace?\u201d \u201cBecome the … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3333,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,21,22,1,5,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aita","category-daily-article","category-reddit-stories","category-story","category-story-daily","category-viral-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6384"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6387,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6384\/revisions\/6387"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}