Billionaire Dad Pretended to Be Broke to Test His Daughter’s Nanny—She Had No Idea
Chapter 7
Three weeks passed.
Emma didn’t return.
Daniel continued taking care of Lily.
He cooked.
He drove her to school.
He helped with homework.
He attended parent meetings.
He did everything himself.
And he discovered how much Emma had done without ever complaining.
One evening, Lily asked:
“Is Emma coming back?”
Daniel looked at her.
“I don’t know.”
“Did you make her leave?”
Daniel sighed.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid.”
Lily frowned.
“Of what?”
“That she didn’t love us.”
Lily looked at him like he was foolish.
“She loves me.”
“I know.”
“Then why were you scared?”
Daniel smiled sadly.
“Adults sometimes make stupid decisions.”
Lily nodded.
“You’re very stupid.”
Daniel laughed.
“Apparently.”
Meanwhile, Emma had returned to teaching.
She accepted a temporary position at a community school in Brooklyn.
She told herself she was happy.
But she missed Lily.
Every day.
She missed the sound of Lily’s laughter.
The bedtime stories.
The Sunday pancakes.
She even missed Daniel.
That was the hardest part.
She was angry with him.
But anger didn’t erase love.
One afternoon, Lily appeared at Emma’s classroom door.
Emma froze.
“Lily?”
The little girl ran into her arms.
Emma hugged her tightly.
“What are you doing here?”
“Daddy brought me.”
Daniel stood behind her.
Emma looked at him.
He looked exhausted.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
“I won’t stay,” he said.
“I’m only here because Lily asked.”
Emma looked at Lily.
“Did you?”
Lily nodded.
“I told Daddy we needed to talk.”
Emma almost smiled.
“You’re very bossy.”
“I learned from you.”
Daniel laughed softly.
Emma looked at him.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
He handed her an envelope.
She didn’t take it.
“What is that?”
“Your original contract.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m terminating it.”
She looked surprised.
“You don’t want me back?”
“I want you back.”
“But?”
“But you deserve the choice.”
He took a breath.
“I spent my entire life assuming I had to control everything.”
Emma remained silent.
“I thought if I tested you, I could protect Lily.”
“And?”
“I hurt the person who had already proven she loved her.”
Emma looked away.
Daniel continued.
“I don’t expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
“I don’t expect you to return.”
“Good.”
“I just want you to know that I’m sorry.”
Emma finally looked at him.
“Do you trust me now?”
Daniel nodded.
“Completely.”
She studied his face.
“Then why are you leaving?”
“Because trust means letting you choose.”
Daniel turned toward Lily.
“Come on.”
Lily didn’t move.
She looked at Emma.
“Can I hug you?”
Emma smiled.
“Always.”
Lily ran into her arms.
Daniel walked away.
Emma watched him leave.
Something inside her cracked.
She realized that for the first time, Daniel wasn’t trying to manipulate her.
He was giving her freedom.
That mattered.
Two days later, Emma received a call.
It was Lily’s school.
They needed her help.
Lily had stopped participating in class.
She was withdrawn.
The counselor believed she was struggling with the separation.
Emma knew immediately what she had to do.
She went back to Daniel’s apartment.
He opened the door.
When he saw her, he froze.
“Emma.”
“I want to talk.”
“Okay.”
She stepped inside.
“I don’t forgive you yet.”
Daniel nodded.
“But I don’t want Lily to lose me.”
His eyes filled with relief.
“So you’re coming back?”
Emma looked at him.
“On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“No more tests.”
Daniel smiled.
“Never again.”
She held out her hand.
He took it.
It wasn’t forgiveness.
Not yet.
But it was a beginning.
