Daniel loved every ordinary moment.
When Noah went inside to get his jacket, Emily remained on the porch.
Daniel turned toward her.
“Can I ask you
something?”
She nodded.
“Do you ever think about what our life would have been like if I hadn’t thrown you out?”
Emily looked toward the trees.
“Sometimes.”
“What do you imagine?”
She was quiet for a long time.
“Maybe we would still be married. Maybe Noah would have grown up in that mansion. Maybe I would have spent years trying to convince you that being a father was more important than closing another deal.”
Daniel absorbed her words.
“Would you have been happy?”
Emily looked at him.
“I loved you, Daniel. I would have tried.”
He lowered his eyes.
“That isn’t the same as being happy.”
“No.”
The answer hurt, but he knew he deserved it.
After a moment, Daniel reached into his jacket pocket.
