Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO NEVER LOVED HIM
Daniel canceled his bachelor dinner that night.
He didn't tell anyone why.
He simply left the restaurant, walked into the rain, and drove to Queens.
Rachel opened the apartment door and froze.
“You came here?”
“I need to talk.”
“No.”
“Rachel.”
“No.”
The girls were asleep.
Daniel lowered his voice.
“I won't go inside.”
He stood in the hallway.
Rainwater darkened his coat.
“I just want to know what they like.”
Rachel stared at him.
“What?”
“What makes them happy.”
She hesitated.
“Betty loves astronomy.”
Daniel nodded.
“And Maria?”
“Stories.”
“What kind?”
“Princesses. Dragons. Anything where the girl saves herself.”
Daniel smiled sadly.
“That sounds like you.”
Rachel's expression hardened.
“Don't.”
He nodded.
“Okay.”
He stood there for another moment.
“Can I come tomorrow?”
Rachel didn't answer.
“Just one hour.”
She finally said, “One hour.”
Daniel nodded.
“Thank you.”
He turned.
“Daniel?”
He looked back.
“Don't buy them anything.”
His expression softened.
“I won't.”
The next afternoon, Daniel arrived carrying one thing.
Two library cards.
Rachel stared.
“I thought you said you wouldn't buy them anything.”
“I didn't.”
He handed them over.
“I got these because you said Maria likes stories.”
Maria hugged the card.
“Daddy got me a library card!”
Daniel froze.
The word hit him harder than anything else.
Daddy.
Rachel watched his eyes fill.
He knelt.
“Can I ask you something?”
Maria nodded.
“Do you want me to be your daddy?”
Maria thought seriously.
“Are you good at bedtime stories?”
Daniel laughed.
“I can learn.”
“Then yes.”
Betty crossed her arms.
“You have to know astronomy.”
Daniel looked at her.
“I'll learn that too.”
Betty nodded.
“Okay.”
Rachel watched the three of them sit together.
Something inside her ached.
This was exactly what she had feared.
Because Daniel fit into their lives too easily.
Too naturally.
That evening, Amanda called Rachel.
“Daniel knows.”
“I know.”
“He knows everything.”
“Not everything.”
Amanda went silent.
“There is something else.”
“What?”
“My father wasn't the only person involved.”
Rachel's stomach tightened.
“Who?”
Amanda whispered:
“Your mother.”
Rachel stopped breathing.
“My mother is dead.”
“I know.”
“She would never hurt me.”
“I didn't say she hurt you.”
“Then what are you saying?”
Amanda hesitated.
“She knew Daniel's father was looking for you.”
Rachel sat down.
“No.”
“She helped hide you.”
Rachel's hands went cold.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
A noise came from the hallway.
Rachel turned.
Daniel stood there.
He had heard everything.
“My father was looking for you?”
Rachel couldn't answer.
Daniel looked at her.
“Why?”
Rachel whispered:
“Because he didn't want you to inherit the company.”
Daniel frowned.
“What does that have to do with me?”
Rachel looked at Amanda's message.
May you like
Then at Daniel.
“Everything.”
