Her voice carried no bitterness anymore. Only deep weariness.
A woman standing near reception briefly looked their way before respectfully turning aside. The ordinary workday continued around them—telephones ringing, elevators arriving, shoes moving across shining floors—while Alexander remained caught in a moment that had started long before today.
“Did Grace bring it up many times?” he asked.
“Not really. She worried about making me sad.” Emily managed a faint, sorrowful smile. “Grace noticed everything. She could always tell when grown-ups were troubled.”
Alexander gently touched the notebook’s edge.
“What did you say to her?”
“That the three of us would discuss it.”
“But that conversation never happened.”
“You never had it.”
He lowered his head.
“I know.”
Emily glanced at the notebook he was holding.
“She adored you,” she whispered. “Nothing ever changed that.”
His throat tightened painfully.
“And I adored her.”
“I know you did.”
Her reassurance could not ease his sadness. He was beginning to realize that genuine love did not prevent someone from making mistakes. A person could love deeply and still fail to be present when it mattered.
“Would you let me accompany you?” he asked.
Emily glanced toward the doors streaked with rain.
“To visit the cemetery?”
“I promise I won’t disturb you. I won’t expect you to make me feel better. I only want to spend a little time close to her.”
Emily remained silent for a long moment.
Eventually, she gently shook her head.
“Not this time.”
He respected her decision, even though every part of him wanted to ask her to reconsider.
“All right.”
For a brief moment, she appeared surprised.
“You aren’t going to try changing my mind?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you already told me no.”
A little of the tension left her expression, although the change was subtle.
Alexander continued holding the notebook against his chest.
“May I hold on to this?”
“She made it for you.”
He gave a quiet nod.
“I promise I’ll keep it safe.”
Emily held his gaze. “There’s something you must recognize. Protecting a notebook is very different from protecting the child who created it.”
“I understand.”
“Are you certain?”
“I’m learning.”
She watched him closely, perhaps expecting the old frustration to emerge beneath his unusually calm behavior. When it never appeared, she seemed unsure how to respond.
At last, she spoke. “There’s another page.”
Alexander glanced at the notebook.
“I assumed I’d reached the end.”
“I never looked at it.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because the back cover was taped shut when I discovered it. Grace had written my name across it. I believed she wanted me to protect it until I understood what should happen next.”
Emily opened her handbag once more.
She retrieved a folded sheet from a small compartment inside.
“I removed this from the notebook after reaching Toronto,” she explained. “But I never read what was written.”
Alexander studied the folded paper.
“Why give it to me today?”
“Because she created it for you. And you have a right to understand what she was trying to tell you.”
He gently accepted the sheet.
It had been folded over several times. On the outside, Grace had written a short message using a blue marker.
For Daddy only.
Alexander carefully opened it.
A child’s drawing filled the inside. It showed a house with uneven walls and an oversized roof. Three people stood outside, their hands joined together.
Beside them, Grace had added another figure.
It resembled an airplane.
Under the picture were the words:
If Mommy goes far, we can visit.
Alexander continued staring until the letters became difficult to distinguish.
Emily spoke in a gentle voice.
“She believed being far apart was something people could overcome if they truly wanted to.”
He shut his eyes.
“She expected all of us to travel together.”
“She believed you would decide to join us.”
The paper shook slightly between his fingers.
“I should have chosen that.”
“Yes.”
He carefully refolded the drawing, taking his time.
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to carry this.”
“You aren’t required to figure that out today.”
“I have no idea how to continue without her.”
For the first time, Emily struggled to maintain her composure.
“Neither do I.”
They faced each other, each carrying memories of the daughter they deeply missed. Since Alexander’s arrival in Toronto, this was the first silence that did not feel like a consequence of his mistakes.
It felt like two parents mourning together.
He wanted to hold her hand.
But he remained still.
After several moments, Emily spoke. “I need to leave.”
“I understand.”
She started toward the entrance.
“Emily.”
She stopped walking but kept facing forward.
“I won’t visit your apartment again unless you agree beforehand.”
“Thank you.”
“I won’t contact your workplace or have anyone monitor your movements.”
Some of the tension eased from her shoulders.
“That means a lot.”
“And I won’t pressure you to return home.”
Now she turned around.
Alexander made himself look directly into her eyes.
“I hope you find peace and happiness, even if your future doesn’t include me.”
Emily examined his expression.
“Is that genuinely what you feel, or are you repeating what you believe I want to hear?”
He reflected on her question.
“I’m not completely certain yet. But I understand that it’s something I have to learn.”
She remained quiet for several seconds.
Then she gave one small nod and walked away.
Alexander stayed in the reception area until the glass entrance doors shut behind her.
Twenty minutes afterward, Daniel telephoned.
“Boss, will you be returning to Chicago?”
Alexander glanced at Grace’s notebook.
“No.”
Daniel paused. “Would you like me to cancel the remaining appointments this week?”
“Postpone whatever isn’t urgent. Arrange video meetings for anything that cannot wait.”
“Understood.”
“One more thing, Daniel.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Arrange for someone to manage the companies during my absence.”
“Only for a short period?”
“I haven’t decided.”
Daniel fell silent.
Alexander had never responded with such uncertainty before. Every aspect of his existence had revolved around confident, decisive answers.
“Are you certain about this?” Daniel asked.
“No,” Alexander admitted. “But I’m moving forward with it.”
He spent the afternoon wandering through Toronto without choosing a particular destination.
Although the streets were unfamiliar, the city did not feel unwelcoming. Pedestrians hurried past in thick scarves against the chilly weather. Red-and-white streetcars traveled along the roads. Eventually, he entered a modest waterfront café, ordered tea, and settled beside the window.
He opened Grace’s notebook once more.
Almost every page contained a drawing.
A violet-colored kitten. A bright yellow school bus. A birthday cake covered with far too many candles.
One picture showed Emily sitting beside Grace’s bed with a book. Another portrayed Alexander kneeling near a toy stove while wearing a crown made from paper.
He remembered that afternoon.
Grace had declared him the king of her pretend restaurant.
For twenty minutes, he had worn the paper crown while she prepared imaginary meals and served plastic soup.
Back then, he had repeatedly glanced at his phone between her pretend courses.
But in her drawing, he appeared completely focused on her.
Alexander set the notebook on the tabletop and buried his face in his hands.
A waitress approached with concern.
“Excuse me, sir. Are you feeling okay?”
He slowly uncovered his face.
“Yes.”
She glanced briefly at the notebook before looking back at him. “Could I bring you a glass of water?”
He nodded gratefully.
After she walked away, his phone began ringing.
Madison was calling.
He accepted the call.
“How is she doing?” Madison asked.
“You mean Emily?”
“Yes.”
“She has started working.”
“That isn’t what I was asking.”
Alexander gazed through the window at the rain.
“She’s struggling with her loss.”
Madison drew a quiet breath.
“Were you able to speak with her?”
“Yes.”
“Did she tell you to go away?”
“She asked me not to accompany her to the cemetery.”
“That seems understandable.”
“It is.”
Madison paused briefly.
“Did you tell her you were sorry?”
“I did.”
“What happened afterward?”
“She accepted that I meant it.”
“That’s a positive sign.”
“No,” Alexander replied. “Not necessarily.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because she knows I regret everything. But she doesn’t trust that I’ll become different.”
Madison settled back in her chair. Through the phone, he could hear distant conversations and dishes clinking.
“Do you think you can change?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Well, at least you’re telling the truth now.”
He turned to the notebook page showing their family beneath the blue sky.
“Madison, were you aware Emily was thinking about moving to Toronto?”
“No.”
“Daniel told me she contacted my office.”
“I wasn’t aware of that.”
“She spent weeks attempting to have a conversation with me.”
Madison sighed.
“Alex…”
“What is it?”
“There’s something I need to admit.”
He immediately became attentive.
“Tell me.”
“It’s about the birthday post for Olivia.”
He waited for her to continue.
“I was the one who wrote the caption.”
He turned his gaze toward the window.
“What did you actually write?”
“You’ve already seen it.”
“I want you to tell me.”
Madison paused.
“I wrote that you had personally organized the whole celebration and that you and Olivia were meant to be together.”
“Why would you write that?”
“Olivia wanted me to.”
Alexander tightened his grip on the phone.
“She specifically requested it?”
“She told me it would be amusing. She wanted to know whether you’d respond. I assumed she wasn’t serious.”
“And you published it anyway.”
“Yes.”
“Was she aware I had a wife?”
“Obviously, Alex. She knew.”
“Did she ever ask you to remove the post?”
“No. I took it down after noticing Emily had liked it.”
Alexander shut his eyes.
“Why didn’t you mention any of this?”
“I felt ashamed.”
“Madison.”
“I know I made a mistake. I should have explained everything immediately. But when we spoke, you were already distressed about Grace. I convinced myself that a social media caption wasn’t important compared with everything else.”
“It mattered enormously to Emily.”
“I understand that now.”
He remained silent.
Madison lowered her voice.
“Olivia knew Emily was upset. She asked whether you had mentioned anything concerning the necklace.”
Alexander opened his eyes.
“How did you answer?”
“I told her I hadn’t heard anything.”
“Why was she asking?”
“I figured she was concerned Emily might get the wrong impression.”
Alexander looked down at the blue notebook.
“Did Olivia know that necklace was originally meant for Emily?”
“Yes.”
Madison answered without hesitation.
“Are you absolutely sure?”
“Alex, I accompanied you when you purchased it. You wanted my opinion about the gemstone because you remembered Emily liked diamonds with a pale appearance.”
Alexander suddenly remembered.
Several months earlier, he had bought the necklace after Emily casually admired a similar piece displayed in a jewelry store window.
He planned to surprise her with it on their wedding anniversary.
Then Olivia’s father invited him to a private business dinner. Olivia joined them later that evening. When Alexander drove her home, the necklace remained inside his vehicle.
He had completely forgotten about it.
Olivia eventually discovered it.
“She told Emily she had seen it inside my car,” he said.
“Did she really?”
“I don’t know for certain.”
Madison fell quiet.
“What are you suggesting?” he asked.
“Olivia told me she discovered it in the guest bedroom at your house.”
Alexander’s expression became serious.
“She never entered that bedroom.”
“I know.”
“Did Olivia actually tell you that?”
“Yes.”
“Then why would she tell Emily she discovered it in my vehicle?”
Madison had no explanation.
Alexander abruptly rose, scraping his chair against the café floor.
“Madison, is there something else you’re keeping from me?”
“I’m not sure it’s relevant.”
“It becomes relevant if she deliberately misled someone.”
“I’m not accusing her of dishonesty.”
“But you just admitted she gave two different explanations.”
“I told you I don’t know what happened.”
Alexander moved toward the café entrance.
“Did Olivia ever enter my private study?”
There was a brief silence.
“Yes.”
“On what occasions?”
“A few times. She said she needed to discuss something confidential with you.”
“Did I authorize her to go inside?”
“I thought you had.”
“I never did.”
Madison sounded increasingly uncomfortable.
“Alex, I’m sorry. I should have mentioned it. But Olivia has known our family for years. Nobody imagined—”
“Nobody considered asking Emily how she felt about any of it.”
He ended the conversation before Madison could reply.
Outside, the rainfall had ended, leaving the sidewalks wet and reflective.
Alexander remained beneath the café’s shelter, holding his phone.
His first impulse was to contact Olivia immediately.
He wanted an explanation.
But then he remembered Emily’s letter.
Do not make your regret the center of my grief.
Throughout his life, whenever something unsettled him, he had demanded explanations until he felt in control again. He had mistaken collecting information for genuinely understanding people.
If Olivia had been dishonest, discovering the truth was important.
But that truth could never excuse his own failure to be there for his family.
Instead, he contacted Daniel.
“Was Olivia ever allowed into my private office at the house?”
Daniel paused before answering.
“Not through any official arrangement.”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
Daniel understood his meaning.
“I’ll review the records.”
“Keep it discreet.”
“Certainly.”
“And Daniel?”
“Yes, boss?”
“Don’t intimidate anyone or pressure them into speaking. I only want verified information.”
Daniel hesitated briefly.
“Understood.”
Alexander made his way back to the hotel.
That evening, Daniel sent a message requesting a private conversation. They met in a quiet room beside the hotel lobby, where reflections of Toronto’s evening lights shimmered across the windows.
Daniel placed his tablet on the table.
“I examined the home’s electronic security records.”
Alexander leaned closer.
“Olivia entered your study on three separate occasions over the past two months.”
“Which dates?”
“The first visit happened on the same afternoon Emily contacted you about Toronto.”
Alexander’s face grew tense.
“The second occurred during preparations for the birthday celebration.”
“And the last visit?”
“On the evening of your wedding anniversary.”
Alexander examined the dates carefully.
“How did she gain entry?”
“Madison possessed a key.”
“Is there evidence Olivia removed anything?”
“We haven’t established that.”
“Review the surveillance recordings.”
Daniel looked hesitant.
“The cameras inside the study were turned off during all three visits.”
“Who turned them off?”
“That’s where the situation becomes complicated.”
He rotated the tablet toward Alexander.
“The records indicate someone manually disabled the cameras using your personal access code.”
Alexander stared at the screen.
“I didn’t turn those cameras off.”
“I understand.”
“Who else knew my code?”
“Your mother, Madison, and me.”
“What about Olivia?”
“She wasn’t given access.”
“Could she have worked it out?”
“It’s possible. However, I discovered another detail.”
Daniel opened another document.
“On the day Emily contacted your office regarding Toronto, Olivia made an eleven-minute phone call to a private law firm specializing in family matters.”
Alexander became completely still.
“A family law firm?”
“Yes. The conversation lasted eleven minutes.”
“Did she arrange an appointment?”
“There’s no confirmed appointment under her full name. However, two weeks later, that office recorded a consultation involving someone identified by the initials O.C.”
Olivia Carter.
Neither man spoke the name aloud.
At first, Alexander felt no anger.
Only a growing sense of uncertainty.
“Do we know what she wanted to discuss?”
“No. The firm cannot release confidential information about its clients.”
“See what you can verify through proper channels.”
“Boss—”
“Only through legal means.”
Daniel nodded in understanding.
“I’ll arrange for someone to examine publicly available records and determine whether any official documents were submitted.”
Alexander stood up.
“Arrange a meeting with Olivia tomorrow morning.”
Daniel studied his expression.
“Would you prefer that I attend?”
“No.”
“Do you believe meeting her alone is a good idea?”
“I have no intention of intimidating her.”
“That wasn’t what I was suggesting.”
Alexander turned toward the windows streaked with rain.
“I understand.”
He went upstairs to his hotel room and carefully set Grace’s notebook on the writing desk.
For a considerable time, he remained seated beside it, leaving his phone untouched.
Then, shortly before midnight, his phone rang with a number he did not recognize.
Alexander picked up.
“Hello?”
A woman answered in a gentle voice.
“Am I speaking with Mr. Hayes?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Claire Morgan, an attorney practicing in Toronto.”
Alexander immediately sat straighter.
“Where did you obtain my number?”
“Emily provided it.”
His heartbeat quickened.
“Is Emily okay?”
“She’s safe. However, she requested that I contact you if we discovered certain details.”
“What kind of details?”
Claire hesitated briefly.
“Information relating to what happened to Grace.”
Alexander gripped the desk’s edge.
“What have you discovered?”
“I’ve been examining the documents Emily brought from Chicago. Something doesn’t match in the preschool’s official incident report.”
“What doesn’t match?”
“The report claims Grace exited the school through its front gate a little after three in the afternoon.”
Alexander remained completely silent.
“However, the electronic security records indicate the front gate was opened at 3:27,” Claire explained. “And the available recordings don’t show Grace passing through that entrance.”
“Then which way did she go?”
“That remains unclear.”
His fingers tightened around the phone.
“Was anyone accompanying her?”
“The written report indicates she was alone.”
“What do the recordings indicate?”
“Unfortunately, nothing conclusive. The surveillance camera near the side entrance stopped operating for roughly six minutes.”
Alexander abruptly stood.
“Who turned it off?”
“The school’s records show the code used belonged to a temporary employee.”
“What was their name?”
Claire lowered her voice.
“The employee came through a staffing agency associated with one of your family’s businesses.”
Alexander felt an uncomfortable pressure building in his chest.
“What’s the employee’s name?”
“I haven’t obtained the complete personnel records.”
“Then why contact me tonight?”
“Because there’s another important discovery.”
“Tell me.”
“The employee resigned the following morning. Before leaving, she emailed the school’s director.”
Alexander could barely speak.
“What did the message say?”
Claire paused.
“She explained that someone had instructed her to leave the side entrance unlocked because a person was expected to collect your daughter.”
Alexander fell silent.
“Who gave that instruction?” he eventually asked.
“We haven’t established that.”
“Was it Emily?”
“No.”
“Then who was responsible?”
Claire answered carefully.
“The instruction originated from a telephone number associated with a private security company.”
