For Miranda. For both of you.”
Miranda’s eyes lit up at this, but Julia’s expression remained guarded.
“Words are easy,” she said. “Especially for a man who makes his living selling dreams to investors.”
“Then let me prove it with actions,” I insisted.
“I’ll move here. Take a step back from the company. Whatever it takes.
I’ve spent so long building something I thought was important, but standing here now, I realize I was building the wrong thing all along.”
“Daddy?” Miranda’s voice was small but hopeful, and it shattered what was left of my heart. That one word held so much: all the years I’d missed, all the possibilities ahead.
Julia’s shoulders slumped slightly. “We can try,” she said finally.
“But slowly. And at the first sign that you’re going to disappear again…”
“I won’t,” I promised. “I’ve spent eight years chasing success, thinking it would fill this empty space inside me.
But standing here, looking at both of you… I finally understand what matters.”
Miranda launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. After a moment’s hesitation, I hugged her back.
Julia’s expression was still cautious, but there was something else there too — a tiny spark of hope that matched the one growing in my own heart.
The morning sun had burned away the last of the fog, and the sea breeze carried the sound of distant waves and seabirds. Through the open door, I could hear wind chimes singing their gentle song.
My sister had been right about one thing — I had needed this break from my normal life.
But instead of just finding rest, I’d found something I hadn’t even known I was missing: a chance to reclaim the family I’d almost lost forever.
Source: amomama
