How could you hide this from me?
“Because Emily’s wish was more important than my anger or your pride.
That man abandoned us.
I know. I’ve never defended him. But when he came to see me, he fell on his knees and begged me to let him do at least one good thing for his daughter.
My father’s voice broke.
“Sarah, I didn’t accept his money for him. I did it for Emily.
I lowered the phone and continued reading.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.
I’m also not asking you to talk to Emily about me.
But if you ask who gave him the music box, please don’t tell him it comes from a good father.
Tell him he was a man who understood too late everything he had lost.
I’m here, at the hotel, but I’m not going to your room without your permission.
If you never want to see me again, I’ll understand.
Mike.”
I looked up at the manager.
“Where is she?”
The man hesitated for a moment.
Down in the lobby. But he said that if you don’t want to see it, he’ll leave immediately.
Emily was still holding the music box.
Mom, who is Mike?
I knelt in front of her.
For three years I had imagined what I would say if that time ever came. I had thought about protecting my daughter and explaining that Mike didn’t deserve to see her.
But when I looked at Emily’s thin face, I realized that the decision didn’t just belong to me.
“Mike is your father,” I whispered.
Emily was silent.
Is the dad who lives far away?
“Yes.
“Is he here?”
I nodded.
Do you want to meet him?
My daughter thought for a moment before asking:
Is he afraid of me?
That simple question broke my heart more deeply than anything the doctor had said.
No, honey. I was afraid of losing you, but he chose the worst way to deal with that fear.
Emily pressed the music box against her chest.
“Can I see him?” But only if you stay by my side.
Together we went down to the lobby.
Mike was standing by a window. It had changed a lot. He had lost weight, had gray strands in his hair and deep dark circles surrounded his eyes.
When he saw us, he was unable to move.
Emily held on to my hand.
Mike fell to his knees, but he didn’t try to get close.
“Hi, Emily.
My daughter watched him carefully.
Are you my dad?
Mike’s eyes filled with tears.
“Yes. But I’ve been a very bad father.
“Grandpa says that bad people can sometimes also do good things.
Mike lowered his head.
Your grandfather is a very kind man.
Emily took a few steps towards him and showed him the music box.
Did you keep this to me?
“Every day.
“Then why didn’t you come back?
This time, Mike didn’t try to find excuses.
Because I was a coward. When I found out you were sick, I just thought of my own pain. I abandoned you when you needed me most.
Emily remained silent for a moment. Then he looked out over the ocean, which could be seen through the hotel’s large windows.
