Part 6:

She said it so easily, like it was nothing. But Daniel heard the disappointment underneath. $90,000. They could go to Disney World. They could go to the beach. They could do all the things other families did without thinking twice. But at what cost? His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. This is Isabella. I know you said no, but I’m not good at taking no for an answer.

Have dinner with me tonight. Not as a job interview. Just as two people talking. If you still want to walk away after, I’ll respect that. Before he could respond, another text came through. Sophie can come, too. I know a place that has excellent dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. Despite himself, Daniel smiled. He looked at his daughter, who was now trying to convince a particularly stubborn duck to come closer.

He thought about yesterday, about Arthur, about the way Isabella’s face had cracked when she apologized. He thought about all the things he couldn’t give Sophie and all the things he could. He texted back, “Where and when?” The response came immediately. I’ll send a car at 6. Of course, you would. The car that arrived at 558 was not what Daniel expected.

It wasn’t a limo or a town car. It was just a regular sedan with a driver who smiled and opened the door without any pretense. Sophie was vibrating with excitement. She’d never been in a car with a driver before. “Is this like a taxi?” she asked. “Sort of,” Daniel said. “Cool.” They drove to a restaurant in the West Village that Daniel had walked past a hundred times but never imagined entering.

It looked casual from the outside, but he knew better. Places that looked this casual were usually the most expensive. Isabella was waiting at a table in the back. She wore jeans and a sweater. Daniel had never seen her in anything that wasn’t aggressively professional. She looked younger like this, almost normal. You came, she said.

You promised dinosaur nuggets. I did, didn’t I? She looked at Sophie. Hi, Sophie. Do you remember me? Sophie nodded seriously. You’re the lady who needs coloring practice. Isabella actually laughed. That’s me. They sat down and for the first few minutes it was awkward. Daniel didn’t know what to say. Isabella seemed equally lost.

Then Sophie started asking questions the way kids do, and somehow that broke the ice. Do you have any kids? No. Why not? Sophie, Daniel warned. It’s okay, Isabella said. That’s a fair question. I guess I’ve been too busy with work. My daddy works a lot, too, but he’s never too busy for me. Isabella smiled, but it was sad around the edges.

Your daddy is a better person than I am. You could be better, Sophie said matterofactly. You just have to practice like coloring. Is everything that simple for you? Yep. The food came. Sophie’s dinosaur nuggets were indeed excellent. Daniel ordered a burger that probably cost $40 but tasted like it was worth it.

Isabella barely touched her salad. I’ve been thinking about what you said. Isabella started about buying redemption. You were right. That’s exactly what I was trying to do. Daniel set down his burger. Okay, but the thing is I don’t know any other way to fix things. I’ve spent my entire adult life solving problems with money. It’s the only tool I have.

That’s not true. Isn’t it? You apologized yesterday. That didn’t cost anything. Isabella was quiet for a moment. It felt like it cost everything. That’s because it mattered. Sophie had stopped eating and was watching them both like they were on TV. Can I tell you something? Isabella asked.

And you promised not to use it against me. I promise. I haven’t had a real conversation with someone in 3 years, maybe longer. Everyone who talks to me wants something. My board wants profit. My employees want approval. The press wants a story. Even my family, the parts I still talk to, they just want access to the company.

I can’t remember the last time someone talked to me because they actually wanted to know what I think. What about friends? I don’t have friends. I have contacts. Sophie made a sad noise. That’s lonely. Isabella looked at her. Yeah, it is. You could be our friend, Sophie offered. Right, Daddy? Daniel met Isabella’s eyes across the table.

He saw something there he hadn’t noticed before. Not power, not control, just exhaustion and loneliness and a desperate kind of hope. Yeah, he said slowly. We could try that. Isabella’s expression did something complicated. Relief and fear mixed together. I don’t know how to be someone’s friend, she admitted. Sure you do, Sophie said.

You share your toys and you’re nice and you don’t say mean things. See? Easy. I don’t think I have any toys. That’s okay. We can share ours. They finished dinner and Isabella paid without making a show of it. Outside, the car was waiting. Can I ask you something? Daniel said before they got in. Sure. The job offer. Was it real or was it just a way to get me here? Isabella considered this. It was real.

It still is. But I understand why you said no, and I respect that. What if I said yes, but on my terms? She raised an eyebrow. What terms? I’m not leaving my current work completely. Not at first. I’ll consult for the foundation part-time until I know this isn’t just you trying to ease your guilt. 3 months trial.

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