The Billionaire’s Daughter Drove Every Maid Away — Until One Woman Refused to Be Afraid of Her
Chapter 10
Richard returned from his business trip.
He immediately noticed the change.
Isabella met him at the front door.
“Dad.”
He stopped.
“When did you become this nice?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Don’t ruin it.”
They sat together in the study.
Isabella placed the photograph on his desk.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Richard looked at it.
His expression changed.
“Your mother.”
“Clara’s mother knew her.”
“Yes.”
“She left me something.”
Richard nodded slowly.
“I know.”
“You knew?”
“Your mother asked me to keep it.”
“Why?”
“Because you weren’t ready.”
Isabella’s eyes filled with tears.
“When was I supposed to be ready?”
Richard looked ashamed.
“I don’t know.”
“That’s the problem.”
He closed his eyes.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“You isolated me.”
“I know.”
Silence filled the room.
Then Richard said:
“I’m sorry.”
Isabella stared at him.
He had never said those words.
Not once.
She stood and hugged him.
Richard held her tightly.
For the first time since her mother’s death, father and daughter were not pretending.
Later that night, Richard found Clara.
“Thank you.”
Clara smiled.
“For what?”
“For keeping a promise my wife made.”
He looked toward the stairs.
“She always believed Isabella could become kind.”
Clara nodded.
“She was right.”
Richard smiled sadly.
“She usually was.”
