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

They continued with the exercises for another 50 minutes. Antonella guided Elena through different activities, including sand writing exercises, visual memory games, and bilateral coordination exercises. Ricardo was impressed by Antonela’s knowledge and the endless patience she demonstrated.

Daddy, are you going to be here tomorrow too? Ricardo looked at Antonela and then at his daughter. I’m going to be here. In fact, he was thinking, “What if I stayed every morning to watch your exercises?” Elena hugged her father so tightly she almost knocked him over. Seriously, every day. Every day. That afternoon, after Elena was in her virtual classes, Ricardo called Antonela for a private chat in the studio.

“Antonela, I want to make you a proposal.” What kind of proposal, sir? I want you to become Elena’s official therapeutic companion.” Antonela’s eyes widened in surprise. “Sir, I have a background in occupational therapy. You have a special connection with my daughter, and she trusts you completely.”

I’d like to formalize this, but sir, I don’t have a college degree. We’ll figure that out. Would you like to study occupational therapy? Antonela was silent for a long moment. Mr. Ricardo, that would be a dream, but I don’t have the resources. And if I paid for your studies, would you pay for my studies? I’d pay for your tuition, your books, your transportation, and you’d continue receiving your normal salary. In fact, your salary would increase, since your responsibilities would be greater.

Antonela began to cry. Mr. Ricardo, I don’t know what to say. Say yes. Elena needs you, and you deserve the opportunity to study what you love. But what about the housework, the other chores? Should we hire someone else for the housework? Your focus would be exclusively on Elena.

Antonela couldn’t stop crying. Why is the Lord doing this? Because last night I realized I almost missed the chance to know my own daughter, and this morning I saw that you’re giving her something I couldn’t give. Hope and trust. I want you to continue doing that, but in an official and recognized way.

And if I don’t pass the course, you’ll make it, I’m sure of it. Antonela wiped her tears and looked at Ricardo with determination. Then I accept, Mr. Ricardo. I’m going to study hard and do the best job I can with Elena. I know you will. In the days that followed, the household routine changed completely.

Ricardo began leaving the house later, participating in Elena’s morning exercises. He canceled several meetings to be present for his daughter’s important moments. Elena was radiant in her father’s presence. Her progress in the exercises accelerated, motivated by the attention she was receiving.

In one week, she managed to write five consecutive words without help. In two weeks, she completed a 50-piece puzzle. She was happy to see her husband more present, but she still had a feeling it was temporary. One morning, during exercises, Elena achieved something no one expected. She took a pencil and wrote a complete letter to her father in coherent sentences and legible handwriting.

“Daddy, I wrote something for you,” Elena said, proudly handing him the paper. Ricardo read the letter, and his eyes filled with tears. It said, “Dear Daddy, I love you so much. Thank you for coming to see my exercises. Now I know I’m smart. Your daughter, Elena.” Elena, “this is beautiful,” Ricardo said, hugging his daughter. “You’re amazing.”

Antonela was crying too, proud of Elena’s progress. Toñita, did you see? I wrote a real letter. Vi, my warrior, you’re amazing. Gabriela had run out of the house when she heard the celebrations and arrived just in time to see Ricardo reading the letter. You write better than many children your age.

That night, after Elena was asleep, Ricardo and Gabriela talked about the changes that were happening. “Ricardo, I need to admit something,” Gabriela said. “What? I was considering separating from you.” Ricardo felt the world spin. “What? I felt alone, Ricardo. I felt like I was raising Elena alone while you lived for your job. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

And now, now I see a different man. I see the father I always wanted you to be, the husband I married, but I need to know if this is going to last. Ricardo took his wife’s hand. Gabriela, I almost lost the two most important people in my life because of work.

That won’t happen again, I promise. How can you be sure? Because I discovered that nothing is worth more than seeing my daughter writing me a letter with a smile. No business, no money, nothing is worth that. A few weeks later, Ricardo made another discovery about Antonela.

He came home early and found her crying in the garden. Antonela, what happened? Nothing, Mr. Ricardo, everything’s fine. She’s clearly not fine. What happened? Antonela hesitated before answering. “It’s just that this morning one of Mrs. Gabriela’s friends came by. She wasn’t very nice to me. What’s that? She said I was taking advantage of your kindness, that I was butting my nose in where I wasn’t supposed to be.”