Maria nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, sir. She walked away with them. I don’t know why… I just don’t understand.”
Thomas stood, his mind a whirlwind of disbelief and anger. Vanessa, his new wife, had seemed distant, but this was unimaginable. He had thought her capable of adjusting to her new role, capable of warmth. This act shattered that illusion.
As he held Lily tight, he felt the tremors coursing through her tiny body, each one a silent accusation. He had brought Vanessa into their lives, believing she could be a mother figure to Lily. Instead, she had nearly cost him his daughter.
“Maria,” Thomas said, his voice steadier now, “thank you. I don’t know what I would have done if—” his voice broke, unable to finish the sentence. He turned to face the mansion, Vanessa’s figure now visible at the entrance, her expression unreadable.
Thomas carried Lily toward the house, Maria following closely behind. Each step felt heavy, dread pooling in his gut. As they approached, Vanessa stood there, arms crossed casually as though nothing was amiss.
“Thomas, what’s all this commotion?” Vanessa’s tone was clipped, almost bored.
He stared at her, disbelief mingling with his anger. “Commotion? Lily was trapped in the car! You left her there to suffer!”
Vanessa’s eyes flickered briefly, something cold and calculating passing over her face. “I didn’t realize she was still in there. She was quiet.”
“Quiet?” Thomas repeated incredulously. “That’s your excuse? You didn’t even check?”
Vanessa shrugged, her nonchalance like a slap. “I thought you’d be home soon. I just needed a moment to myself.”
Thomas’s heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of the line that had been crossed. He looked at Lily, her face buried in his shoulder, then at Maria, the maid who had done what no one else could, saving his daughter without a second thought.
“I want you out of this house,” Thomas said, his voice low but firm. “Pack your things and go.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened. “Thomas, you can’t be serious. Over a misunderstanding?”
“This isn’t a misunderstanding,” he replied, his voice growing stronger, more resolute. “This was neglect. It was endangerment. And it’s not something I can forgive.”
Maria stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Lily’s back. “We’ll go inside, sir. I’ll take care of Miss Lily.”
Thomas nodded, his gaze fixed on Vanessa, who now looked less confident, less sure of the power she once thought she wielded.
As Maria guided Lily away, Thomas turned his full attention to Vanessa. “I married you believing you could be part of our family. But you’ve shown me today that you don’t understand what family means.”
Vanessa opened her mouth to protest, but Thomas silenced her with a raised hand. “Leave, Vanessa. I’ll have your things sent to you. This is over.”
With that, he turned on his heel, heading inside to where his daughter needed him. Maria was right there, a comforting presence, ready to help heal the hurt caused by the woman he once thought he loved.
In that moment, he knew the true meaning of family wasn’t just blood or marriage; it was loyalty, compassion, and above all, love. And in Maria’s actions, he saw the embodiment of it all.