Maisie clung to me after I stepped out for a moment. Ever since her mom left, even small absences feel huge.<\/p>\n
She asked if her mom was coming back. I didn\u2019t know. So I just said,\u00a0\u201cDaddy\u2019s not going anywhere.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Later, she whispered,\u00a0\u201cMommy said she loves me, but loves the world more.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0It shattered me.<\/p>\n Lana always chased freedom\u2014travel, new places, new dreams. When she left, she said she needed space. She never called back.<\/p>\n I stopped waiting and built something steady for Maisie and me\u2014remote work, bedtime stories, quiet love.<\/p>\n She once told her teacher she wanted to bring a suitcase in case her mom picked her up. That night, I promised her again:\u00a0\u201cDaddy\u2019s here. Always.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Her birthday came\u2014balloons, friends, joy. A woman named Tessa helped clean up. We laughed. It felt like the beginning of something new.<\/p>\n Then a letter arrived from Lana. She was teaching abroad, not ready to parent. Maisie asked,\u00a0\u201cDoes this mean she loves me again?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I told her,\u00a0\u201cYes\u2014but in her own way. And I love you in mine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Eventually, Lana visited. It was brief. Polite. Maisie hugged her, then returned quietly to my side.<\/p>\n Later, she said,\u00a0\u201cShe\u2019s still finding herself. But I\u2019m already whole with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n That\u2019s when I realized: love isn\u2019t in words\u2014it\u2019s in who stays.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"