Chapter 12 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO ASKED THE HARDEST QUESTION
Lily turned nine that spring.
Her birthday party was held at a neighborhood park.
There were balloons.
Cupcakes.
And a cake shaped like a clock.
Dante arrived carrying a small gift.
Inside was a new brass pocket watch.
Lily stared at it.
“It's beautiful.”
Dante smiled.
“I thought you might like it.”
She opened the case.
The hands moved smoothly.
Then she looked at him.
“Can I still keep Daddy's?”
Dante's expression softened.
“Of course.”
She smiled.
Later, while Emily prepared sandwiches, Lily sat beside Dante on a park bench.
“Dante?”
“Yes?”
“Do you love my mommy?”
He nearly dropped his coffee.
“What?”
Lily stared.
“You heard me.”
Dante looked toward Emily.
She was laughing with a neighbor.
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
Lily nodded.
“Does she know?”
Dante smiled nervously.
“I think so.”
Lily considered that.
“Good.”
Then she looked at him seriously.
“But you can't make her sad.”
Dante's throat tightened.
“I'll do my best.”
Lily shook her head.
“No. You have to promise to tell the truth.”
Dante looked at the little girl.
The same child who had exposed the lie hidden in his cameras.
He nodded.
“I promise.”
Lily smiled.
“Okay.”
Then she ran toward her mother.
May you like
Dante sat alone for a moment.
Thinking about how a child had taught him more about honesty than decades of powerful men ever had.
