Chapter 9 - The Girls' Decision
An hour later, Preston stood near the edge of the estate garden, waiting under the quiet supervision of Mrs. Gable.
The riding barn doors opened, and Maya and Chloe walked up the gravel path, wearing their black riding boots and helmets. They stopped ten feet away from their father.
Preston fell to his knees in the grass, tears streaming down his face. "Maya... Chloe... hi, sweeties."
Chloe looked at her older sister, then back at Preston. She didn't run into his arms. There was no theatrical emotional reunion. Instead, she offered a small, polite smile.
"Hi, Dad," Chloe said softly.
Maya stepped in front of her little sister, her posture protective and calm. "Mom told us you were here."
"I missed you girls so much," Preston wept, reaching out his hands. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there... I made a terrible mistake."
Maya looked at him for a long moment. "We like it here, Dad. We have horses now, and Mom is happy. She doesn't cry in the kitchen anymore."
The words hit Preston harder than any legal contract ever could. He closed his eyes, bowing his head toward the wet grass as he wept silently.
"Can we visit you in the summer?" Chloe asked gently. "Mom said we might go to London together."
"Yes, baby," Preston choked out, looking up with a broken smile. "Whenever you want. I'll be waiting."
Maya walked forward, placed a small, polite hand on Preston’s shoulder for three seconds, and then stepped back. "We have to go finish brushing the ponies now, Dad. Goodbye."
May you like
The two girls turned and walked hand-in-hand back toward the stables, their bright laughter echoing into the afternoon air.
Preston stood up slowly, wiping his eyes. He looked up at the second-floor window of the main house, where I stood watching silently from behind the sheer white curtains. He bowed his head once in quiet acknowledgment, turned around, and walked down the long driveway toward his waiting cab.
