Chapter 7 - Four Empty Plates
Vanessa did not see him immediately.
She stood near the Christmas tree, describing the foundation she planned to launch in the Caldwell name. Behind her, a large screen displayed photographs of smiling children from charities Vanessa had visited only long enough to be photographed.
Nathan searched the room.
He found his daughters at the far end of the dining table.
Their plates were nearly empty. Sophie was dividing a dinner roll into four pieces while Grace watched the serving staff carry full platters past them.
Ava noticed Nathan first.
Her face brightened, but she did not run to him. Instead, she looked toward Vanessa as though she needed permission.
Nathan’s heart broke.
He crossed the ballroom.
The girls rose together. For a moment, none of them spoke. Then Lily threw her arms around his waist.
“You came back.”
Nathan knelt and held all four daughters.
“I promised.”
Sophie quickly covered the small plate with a napkin.
Nathan gently lifted it.
“Is this your dinner?”
“We weren’t good at lunch,” Grace explained.
“What happened at lunch?”
“We asked Paige when you were coming home,” Ava said.
Nathan looked toward Vanessa.
She had finally noticed him. Her surprise lasted only a second before she smiled brightly and approached.
“Nathan! You should have told me. We would have prepared a proper entrance.”
He stood.
“Why are my daughters sharing one plate?”
Vanessa glanced at the nearby guests.
“They already ate. They’re trying to get attention.”
Sophie gripped his sleeve.
“Please don’t throw it away, Daddy.”
The room seemed to narrow around him.
May you like
Nathan looked at his children’s untouched water glasses, their nervous faces, and the food they had tried to save.
Then he ended the party.
