Dr. Chen waits.
"And I pushed her away." My voice cracks. "I hurt her."
"But you're here. Your father never did this work."
The truth I've been avoiding comes straight out. "My mother died trying to save someone who wouldn't save himself."
The tears come before I can stop them. Raw, ugly crying that I haven't allowed since I was thirteen years old.
"I won't do that to Bailey." I can barely speak. "I won't make her waste her life trying to fix me."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I have to fix myself. Whether she comes back or not."
Dr. Chen's voice is gentle. "If you could talk to your mother now, what would you say?"
The answer pours out. "That she deserved better. That it wasn't her job to save him. That I'm sorry I couldn't protect her. That you can't save someone who won't do the work."
"And what would she say to you?"
I close my eyes. See her face the way it was before my father broke her spirit.
"She'd tell me to do the work. To be different. To let Bailey go if that's what she needs."
"Can you do that?"
"I have to."
Week 10, Day 6
Thought about Mom today. Cried in therapy. Dr. Chen says grief and growth can coexist. Learning that the hard way.
***
Saturday morning, I sit at my home office reviewing scholarship applications.
Nineteen-year-old working two jobs, dreams of animation school. Single parent trying to break into the industry. Recent graduate with a portfolio that takes my breath away but no connections, no money, no path forward.
Stories of talent deferred. Dreams put on hold. People choosing survival over passion.
I approve seven recipients instead of the planned five.
Email Lottie:Increase the fund budget. These kids need this.
***
The board meeting happens on Tuesday.
We're discussing the acquisition of a smaller tech startup. The numbers make sense, but the timeline concerns me.
Old Daniel would have made the decision alone. Pushed it through regardless of doubts.
"I'm uncertain about the timeline," I say instead. "Maxwell, what do you think?"
The room goes quiet. Maxwell stares at me like I've grown a second head.
"You're asking my opinion?"
