“Do you think Mommy knows I love it?”
I kissed her again.
“Sweetheart, I think she always knew.”
When I returned to the dining room, Lily was holding my hand.
She was wearing the silver bracelet and clutching her little crown.
Vanessa immediately looked at the charm.
“What’s that?”
I didn’t answer.
Grandma did.
“Something Lily’s mother left her.”
My father cleared his throat.
“Daniel, we need to discuss the company.”
I looked at him.
For fifteen years, he had hidden the truth about my research.
For twelve years, he had treated my wife as though she were simply an ordinary woman who had married into our family.
And for six years, he had watched his granddaughter grow up feeling less important than her wealthy relatives.
Now he wanted to discuss the company.
“No,” I said.
He frowned.
“What?”
“We’re finished discussing money tonight.”
Vanessa scoffed.
“Easy for you to say. You just became the father of a billionaire!”
“Lily isn’t a billionaire, Vanessa.”
“She owns the entire company!”
“And she’s still a six-year-old girl who wanted to wear the dress her mother made.”
Grandma turned toward Vanessa.
“Did you hear that?”
Vanessa looked confused.
“Her dress?”
“Nora made it.”
For the first time that evening, my sister looked directly at Lily.
My daughter stood beside me, gently touching the bow at her waist.
Grandma continued.
“That dress you called cheap was one of the last gifts Lily’s mother made for her.”
My mother covered her mouth.
Vanessa stared at the floor.
My father said nothing.
Lily tugged at my sleeve.
“Daddy, can we go home now?”
I looked down.
“Absolutely, sweetheart.”
Before we reached the door, Grandma called my name.
“Daniel.”
I turned.
She stood beside the table, holding Nora’s letter.
“I can’t undo the years I lost with you. And I can’t bring Nora back.”
Her voice trembled.
“But I hope you’ll let me be part of Lily’s life.”
I walked toward her.
“You already are, Grandma.”
Then Lily ran into her arms.
