“We need you there,” James insisted. The Germans specifically asked for you to be included. They were impressed with your handling of the technical document review. “Daniel was both flattered and concerned. I’d need to arrange care for Emma. These meetings could run late.” “Bring her,” Sophia suggested unexpectedly. “We’ll be staying at the Mandarin Oriental.

There’s a pool, room service, movies on demand. Emma would probably love it, and the meeting shouldn’t go past dinner. I couldn’t ask you to pay for it’s a business expense, Sophie interrupted. All employees attending the negotiation have accommodations covered. That includes you.

The prospect of a business trip thrilled Emma beyond measure. The idea of staying in a luxury hotel, ordering room service, and swimming in a fancy pool while daddy attended important meetings made her feel grown up and special. Can I bring my sketch pad? Lily says drawing what you see in new places helps you remember them better.

Absolutely, Daniel agreed, touched by this continuing influence from James’s daughter. The friendship between the girls was unexpected but heartwarming. a bridge between worlds. Just as Daniel’s role at Mmente had become. The night before their departure, as Daniel was helping Emma Pack, his phone rang. The number was unfamiliar. Dr.

Carter, this is Charlotte Williams, Sarah’s sister. Daniel froze immediately on alert. Charlotte had never approved of his decision to leave academia. Had argued bitterly that Sarah would have wanted him to maintain his career even during her illness. After the funeral, their relationship had deteriorated to the point of occasional tur emails about Emma’s well-being.

Charlotte, this is unexpected. I’m in town for a conference. I thought I might see Emma while I’m here. Her tone was casual, but there was an underlying tension that Daniel couldn’t quite identify. We’re actually leaving for Boston tomorrow. A business trip. Business trip? Charlotte’s surprise was evident. I thought you were doing handyman work.

I’ve taken a new position with a medical technology company using my linguistics background for international negotiations. There was a pause. Well, that’s that’s good to hear, Daniel. It’s about time you got back to using your education. Sarah would be pleased. Something in her tone still bothered him.

We’ll be back on Thursday. Perhaps you could visit then. That would work. I’ll be here until Friday. Another pause. This new job, it’s going well. Very well, Daniel confirmed. It’s challenging work, intellectually engaging, and the schedule allows me to maintain my commitments to Emma. I’m glad, Charlotte said, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced.

I’ve been worried about you both, about your situation. The implication was clear. She’d been concerned about their financial stability, their living conditions, the quality of life Daniel was providing for his daughter. Our situation is much improved, he assured her. The new position comes with excellent benefits and compensation. Good. That’s good.

Another awkward pause. Well, I’ll let you get back to packing. Give Emma my love. I’ll see you both on Thursday. After hanging up, Daniel sat on the edge of Emma’s bed, troubled by the conversation. Charlotte’s call out of the blue after months of minimal contact struck him as odd. And her questions about his new job seemed pointed, almost as if she’d heard about it from someone else. But that was impossible.

Charlotte didn’t know anyone in his current circles. It was just a coincidence. She was in town, wanted to see her niece, and was surprised to hear about his career change. Still, as he helped Emma fold her new swimsuit for the trip, Daniel couldn’t shake a vague sense of unease. Something about the timing, about Charlotte’s tone, about the sudden interest in his professional situation left him with a distinct impression that there was more to this visit than a simple family reconnection.

The next morning, those concerns were temporarily pushed aside by the excitement of departure. Emma, dressed in her nicest outfit, clutched her small suitcase with the serious expression of a seasoned traveler. The company car that picked them up, another business expense Sophia had insisted upon, was a source of wideeyed wonder.

“Is this what it was like when you were a professor, Daddy? Did you go on trips to important meetings?” “Sometimes,” Daniel admitted. Academic conferences mostly, but they weren’t usually this fancy. At the airport, they met Sophia, James, and Richard, who looked distinctly displeased to see Emma accompanying them.

I wasn’t aware we were bringing children to business negotiations, he remarked acidly. Emma will be enjoying the hotel amenities while we work, Sophia explained, her tone making it clear the matter wasn’t up for discussion. James’s assistant has arranged for child care during the actual meetings. Richard’s expression suggested he had more to say on the subject, but he held his tongue instead turning his attention to his phone with exaggerated focus.

On the short flight to Boston, Emma sat between Daniel and Sophia, chattering happily about her first airplane ride, while James reviewed negotiation documents across the aisle. Richard, seated several rows ahead, kept to himself. I’ve never been to Boston, Emma told Sophia earnestly. Daddy says there’s a special library there with really old books.

The Boston Public Library, Sophia nodded. It’s beautiful. Perhaps we can visit if the meetings end early on Wednesday. Daniel watched their interaction with a mixture of gratitude and wonder. Sophia Morgan, CEO of a multi-million dollar company, was discussing children’s books with his 8-year-old daughter as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

👉 [Tap here for Next Part] 👈