Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN WHO DIDN'T WANT HIS MONEY
The next morning, Ethan offered to move Lily and me into the east wing.
I refused.
He offered to pay for an apartment.
I refused that too.
Then he offered to set up a trust for Lily.
I looked at him.
"Stop."
He went still.
"What?"
"Stop trying to solve everything with money."
His expression tightened.
"I'm trying to help."
"I know."
I took a breath.
"But you can't buy back three years."
He looked down.
"No."
"And you can't become her father overnight."
He nodded.
"I know."
I studied him.
"Do you?"
He looked at me.
"Rosa, I missed her first steps. Her first words. Her first birthday."
His voice broke.
"I don't even know what she likes for breakfast."
My eyes filled.
"Blueberry pancakes."
He looked up.
"She hates bananas. Loves strawberries. Gets frightened by thunderstorms but insists she's brave."
He smiled through tears.
"And she calls every dog she sees 'Professor.'"
Ethan laughed softly.
"Why?"
"Because she met a golden retriever named Professor at the park."
He shook his head.
"Of course."
I looked at him.
"If you want to be her father, learn who she is."
He nodded.
"I will."
"And don't make promises you can't keep."
His expression became serious.
"I won't."
That afternoon, Ethan sat on the floor of the playroom with Lily.
He was wearing a suit that probably cost more than my annual salary.
Lily handed him a plastic teacup.
"Drink."
He obeyed.
She frowned.
"No. Pinkies out."
He adjusted his hand.
"Like this?"
"Better."
She poured imaginary tea.
Then looked at him.
"Do you have a mommy?"
Ethan's expression softened.
"Not anymore."
Lily considered that.
"I have a mommy."
"I know."
"She's the best."
He smiled.
"She is."
Lily looked at him for a long moment.
Then asked:
"Do you have a little girl?"
Ethan froze.
I stood in the doorway, unable to move.
He looked at me.
I nodded.
He turned back to Lily.
"Yes."
Her eyes widened.
"Where?"
He swallowed.
"Right here."
Lily stared at him.
Then pointed at herself.
"Me?"
Ethan nodded.
"Yes, sweetheart."
She looked at me.
"Mommy?"
I knelt beside her.
"Yes, baby. Ethan is your daddy."
Lily thought about that.
Then asked the most important question in the world.
"Will he stay?"
Ethan's face crumpled.
He reached for her hand.
"If you'll let me."
Lily smiled.
"Okay."
May you like
Then she handed him another teacup.
"Daddies need tea too."
