The Family She Almost Lost のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 16

I looked at Rachel."I've had everything at the company arranged," she said. "I can work remotely. I want to stay here for a while and spend time with Noelle."I said nothing."I know I'm not in a position to ask for this," she continued. "But I really want to make things right. Even if she never accepts me, even if she calls me Ms. Lloyd forever, I still want to be here for her."I looked at her for a long time before speaking."Rachel, have you really thought this through?""I have.""This might not be for a day or two. It could be a very long time.""I know.""Noelle might never accept you."Rachel fell silent for a moment, then nodded."I know," she said. "I still want to try."That night, she stayed at a hotel downstairs.I sat alone in the living room and thought about everything for a long time.The next morning, I told her, "You can stay, but don't pressure Noelle. Let her call you whatever she wants. If she wants to be close to you, let her. If she doesn’t, give

I said nothing."I know I don't deserve it," Rachel said. "I know I've made so many mistakes. However, over the past few months, I've had a lot of time to think about everything. "I used to be selfish, always putting myself first and never stopping to think about you or Noelle. I cannot change the mistakes I made in the past, but I want to change the way I live from now on. I want to treat you right and be there for Noelle."She paused."You don't have to answer me right now. Take your time. I just want you to know that I want to stay, not only for Noelle, but for you too."I looked into her eyes for a long time before finally speaking."Rachel, do you know how long I waited to hear you say that?"She froze."Three years," I said. "From the day we got married, I waited for you to say those words. Eventually, I stopped waiting because I knew you never would."Her eyes filled with tears."I'm sorry."I shook my head."You don't have to apologize. You chose your path, and so

Three years had passed.The building was still the same. The trees by the entrance had grown a little taller, and there was a new security guard at the gate."Sir, you can stop here," Rachel said.She got out of the car and stood at the entrance, looking inside. I got out with Noelle in my arms.Noelle looked around and said softly, "Daddy, I remember this place.""What do you remember?""There was a slide here." She pointed toward the playground in the distance. "I used to play there."I nodded.Rachel walked over. "Want to take a look?"I looked at her, then nodded. We walked into the complex.We passed the building, then the playground, then the building where we used to live. When we stopped downstairs, Rachel looked up at one of the windows."We used to live up there," she said.I recognized it."Want to go upstairs and take a look?" I asked.She shook her head."Never mind."We stood there without saying anything.After a while, Noelle tugged on my hand."Daddy,