And I would no longer confuse keeping the peace with doing the right thing.
Part 7: The Truth About Being a Father
A month later, I was sitting at the kitchen table when Sofia came downstairs wearing one of her favorite dresses.
“Dad, can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Why didn’t you notice before?”
Her question was quiet, but it went straight to my heart.
I could have blamed the long hours, the distance, or the fact that Vanessa had told me everything was fine.
But none of those excuses would change how my daughter had felt.
“You’re right to ask me that,” I said. “I trusted what I was told, and I didn’t ask enough questions. I’m sorry.”
She looked at me for a long moment.
“Are you going away again?”
“I have to work sometimes,” I replied. “But we’ll make a plan so you always know who you can contact, and we’ll talk regularly. And when you’re worried about something, I’ll listen.”
She nodded.
