The Millionaire’s Daughters Couldn’t Sleep — Until A Poor Maid Changed Everything
A Father’s Discovery and New Promises
Michael said abruptly, “This Sunday I’ll arrange for alternate child care.”
“With respect sir, Lily and Emma don’t respond well to strangers after their mother left.”
“Then I’ll be here,” Michael heard himself say. Catherine stared at him. “Sir?”
“I’ll be here this Sunday. I’ll take care of my daughters.”
The words felt foreign in his mouth, like a language he used to speak but had forgotten.
“Mr. Hartwell, you don’t have to do this just because I overstepped.”
“You didn’t overstep,” Michael said, surprising himself with the admission. “You told me the truth.”
“That’s rare and valuable, even when it’s uncomfortable to hear.” He looked down at Lily sleeping peacefully.
“I’ve been avoiding being a father because I didn’t want to face that I couldn’t keep their mother from leaving.”
“But that’s not fair to them. And it’s not fair to you to carry the burden alone.”
Catherine looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated. “What?” Michael prompted.
“It’s just… they miss you so much. Lily talks about you constantly.”
“Emma writes you notes that she never gives you because she’s convinced you don’t have time to read them.”
“They need you, Mr. Hartwell, not your money or this beautiful house or the expensive toys. They need their father.”
Michael felt something crack in his chest. “Where are these notes? Emma’s notes?”
“In her desk drawer, top left. There are probably 50 of them by now.”
Michael walked out of the bedroom and down the hall to Emma’s room. His 8-year-old daughter was asleep.
Her dark hair spread across her pillow like her mother’s used to be. He approached her desk quietly and opened the drawer.
Inside was a stack of papers, drawings, and notes in Emma’s careful handwriting. Michael sat down on Emma’s bed.
He began reading by the light of her nightlight. “Dear Daddy, today we learned about space in school.”
“I wanted to tell you about it, but you were already gone when I woke up. Did you know Saturn’s rings are made of ice?”
“I think that’s cool. Love Emma.”
“Dear Daddy, I got an A on my math test. Miss Walsh said I should be proud. Are you proud of me? Love Emma.”
“Dear Daddy, Lily had a nightmare again. Miss Walsh stayed with her. I wish you were here to stay with her instead.”
“She asked for you. Love Emma.”
“Dear Daddy, why don’t you eat dinner with us anymore? Did we do something wrong? Love Emma.”
Michael felt tears burning behind his eyes. How would he let it get this bad?
How had he been so focused on work that he’d missed his daughter’s pain? He returned to his bedroom.
Catherine was still standing there, looking uncomfortable. “I’ll move Lily to her own bed,” she started to say.
“Leave her,” Michael said. “She wanted to sleep here, so let her sleep here. I’ll take the guest room tonight.”
“Mr. Hartwell…” “And Catherine, thank you for being there for them when I wasn’t.”
“Thank you for loving them when I was too coward to face them.” He met her eyes.
“I’m going to do better starting now.”
The next morning, Michael did something he hadn’t done in months. He woke up early and made breakfast for his daughters.
The eggs were slightly burned and the pancakes were lopsided. But when Emma and Lily saw him, their faces lit up with joy.
“Daddy,” Lily shrieked, running to him. “You’re home.”
“I’m home sweetheart,” Michael said, scooping her up. “And I’m going to be home a lot more from now on.”
Emma hung back, more cautious. “You said that before,” she said quietly.
Michael set Lily down and knelt in front of Emma. “You’re right I did, and I broke that promise. I’m sorry.”
“I’m so sorry. I was scared after Mommy left and I handled it badly.”
“I threw myself into work because I didn’t know how to help you when I couldn’t even handle my own feelings.”
“We were sad too,” Emma said, her voice breaking. “But you weren’t here.”
“I know and I’m sorry, but I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. I read your notes last night. All of them.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “You did?” “I did, and I’m so proud of you.”
“You’re smart and kind and so much braver than I’ve been. I should have been here to hear about Saturn’s rings.”
“I should have been here for dinner. I’m going to be here from now on. I promise.”
“But you’re always busy with work,” Lily said, tugging on his sleeve.
“Not anymore. Work is important but you two are more important. Nothing is more important than you two.”
He looked up and saw Catherine standing in the doorway watching. “Miss Walsh helped me understand that.”
