He needed proof.
“Lily!” Caroline shouted from above. “You were supposed to finish an hour ago! Hurry up!”
“I’m sorry, Caroline,” Lily said quietly, her small hands gripping the bag. “They’re really heavy…”
“So what? I worked harder when I was your age. Stop pretending you’re weak.”
“But… I’m only eight…”
“Exactly. Old enough to help.”
Lily lowered her head and kept pulling.
Daniel noticed the blisters on her palms.
Real ones.
The hands of someone forced to work — not the hands of a child meant to be drawing pictures or playing outside.
One of the garbage bags caught on a rock.
When Lily tugged, it ripped open.
Wet trash spilled across the grass.
“Oh no… please…” she whispered, dropping to her knees and gathering the mess with her bare hands. “If I don’t clean it… he’ll be angry…”
That was enough.
Daniel stepped out from behind the hedges.
“Lily.”
She froze.
Slowly, she turned around.
Her eyes widened.
“Dad…?” she whispered. “Is that really you?”
Daniel dropped to his knees in front of her, not caring about his expensive suit.
“Yes, sweetheart. I’m here.”
Lily glanced nervously toward the balcony.
“Dad… please let me change first. I don’t want you to see me like this. And… please don’t tell Caroline.”