A successful entrepreneur returns unexpectedly… what he discovers changes everything.

Why do you think I’d fire her? Because you got serious when you sent me to my room, and Mommy always gets upset when the maids do things she didn’t ask them to. Ricardo looked at Antonela, who had once again turned her gaze downward. “Elena, come here,” Ricardo said, kneeling down to be at his daughter’s eye level. The girl brought her wheelchair closer. “Do you like her, Antonela?” “A lot. She’s my best friend.

“Why is she your best friend?” Elena thought for a moment. “Because she plays with me, listens when I talk, and never rushes me when I take a long time to do things. And she thinks I’m smart, even though I sometimes feel stupid. And I’m your friend too,” Ricardo asked, his heart sinking.

Elena hesitated, and Ricardo saw a sadness in his daughter’s face that pierced him like a dagger. “You’re my dad, not my friend,” Elena said softly. “Fathers are important, but friends are the ones who spend time with you.” Ricardo felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He looked at Antonela, who was also visibly moved. “Elena, I would very much like to be your friend.

“You’d also teach me how.” Elena’s eyes lit up. “Seriously, Daddy, really seriously. Then you have to play with me, listen to my stories, and come watch me and Toñita do my exercises.” Ricardo smiled, experiencing an emotion he hadn’t felt in years. “Perfect. Tomorrow morning I want to see those exercises.” “Seriously,” Elena clapped with joy.

Toñita, did you hear? Papi, he’s going to see what we’re doing. Antonela smiled, but Ricardo saw concern in her eyes. Mr. Ricardo, you’re not usually home in the mornings. I’ll be home tomorrow, Ricardo declared firmly. In fact, I think I need to reevaluate some priorities.

Elena approached and hugged her father from her wheelchair. Daddy, now I have two best friends, you and Toñita. Ricardo hugged his daughter, experiencing a love so intense it almost suffocated him. How had he allowed this wonderful little girl to slip so far away from his life? Now go to sleep, champ. Tomorrow will be a very special day. After Elena went up in her elevator, Ricardo turned to Antonela.

Thank you, he said simply. “Why, sir? For taking care of my daughter when I didn’t know how.” Antonela smiled shyly. “She’s a special girl, sir. Anyone would fall in love with her, but not everyone would dedicate their free time to helping her. Not everyone would have the patience and knowledge that you possess.”

Mr. Ricardo, may I ask you a question? Of course. Are you really going to be here tomorrow morning? Ricardo paused to think. He had five meetings scheduled before 9:00 a.m. He had a video conference with partners in Singapore at 8:00 a.m. He had a report to deliver before noon. “Yes,” he said, surprising himself. “I’ll be here.”

That night, Ricardo went up to his bedroom, reflecting on the conversation. Gabriela still hadn’t returned. He then took the opportunity to enter Elena’s room. The girl was sleeping, but her wheelchair was carefully parked next to her bed, ready for the next day. Ricardo sat on the edge of the bed and watched his sleeping daughter. How this little girl had grown so much without him noticing.

When had Elena become this brave and determined person? You came early today, she commented, taking off her Jimmy Chu shoes. Did something happen? Gabriela, we need to talk about what. She settled onto the gray velvet sofa next to him. About Elena, about our family, about what’s happening in this house. Gabriela sighed.

Ricardo, if this is about more specialists for Elena, I already told you it’s not about specialists, it’s about Antonela, the employee. What’s wrong with her? Did you know she does cognitive therapy exercises with Elena every day? Gabriela looked away. Did you know? And you didn’t tell me why. Because you were going to worry about legal liabilities, lawsuits, those things you’re always worried about.

Gabriela is helping our daughter develop skills the doctors said would take years to acquire. Do you think I don’t notice her progress? Then why didn’t you tell me? Gabriela stood up and began pacing the room. Because you’re never here, Ricardo. Because when you are, you want to know if Elena took her medication, if she attended physical therapy, if she completed her homework.

You never ask if she laughed today, if she had fun, if she was happy. Ricardo remained silent, absorbing his wife’s words. And Antonela. Antonela makes Elena smile. She makes her believe she can achieve anything. So I allowed her to continue because my daughter needs that. Why didn’t you ever tell me you felt this way? Gabriela stopped walking and looked at her husband.

Ricardo, when was the last time we talked about something other than work or Elena’s specialists? Ricardo tried to remember, but he couldn’t. I don’t remember. Neither do I. And you know why? Because you’re not here. Physically, you may be present, but mentally, you’re always in the office, on the phone, on the computer. I raised Elena alone, Ricardo. And now Antonela is helping me do it.