Chapter 19 - The New Normal
Life settled into a steady, comforting rhythm. Lucas reduced his hours at the office, delegating the daily operations of Bennett Development to Marcus and his executive team. He stopped attending meaningless social galas and exclusive country club brunches.
Instead, he attended elementary school ballet recitals. He joined the chaotic, terrifying ranks of the parent-teacher association. He learned how to execute a somewhat passable French braid, though Lily usually ended up looking slightly lopsided.
He discovered that the true power of his wealth wasn't in building taller skyscrapers or dominating boardrooms. The true power was the absolute freedom it gave him to simply be present.
One evening, as Lucas was tucking Lily into bed, she looked up at him, her dark curls spreading across the pillow.
"Daddy?" she asked softly.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Are you going to get married again?"
The question caught Lucas off guard. He smoothed the yellow blanket over her chest, thinking carefully before he answered.
"I don't know, Lily," he said honestly. "Maybe someday. But I promise you this: if anyone ever comes into our lives, they have to love you just as much as I do. Because you and me? We are a team. And nobody breaks the team."
May you like
Lily smiled, a genuine, radiant expression that looked exactly like Grace. "Okay, Daddy. We're a team."
Lucas kissed her forehead and turned off the lamp, leaving the door cracked just enough to let the hallway light in. He walked into his office, looking at the framed photograph of Grace on his desk. He had faltered, but he had found his way back.
