Lucas was the first to approach him.
Quietly showing him his drawings.
Daniel began teaching him how to sketch engines and trucks.
Lily took longer.
But one afternoon she fell and scraped her knees.
Without thinking, she ran to him.
Daniel lifted her carefully, as if holding something sacred.
Margaret leaned against the kitchen doorway so she wouldn’t cry.
A week later, Daniel told the children the truth.
He didn’t make excuses.
“I’m your dad,” he said softly. “I didn’t know before. I came back too late… but if you’ll let me, I’d like to start now.”
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