Nathan took a deep breath, looking down at his coffee mug.

“I’m resigning,” he said.

“Formally.”

“I’ve already drafted the letter.”

“I’m stepping down as CEO of Caldwell Systems.”

I looked at him, surprised.

“Nathan, that’s your life’s work.”

“No,” he said, looking at his daughters.

“This is my life’s work.”

“I spent so long trying to recreate Claire in a machine.”

“I was so obsessed with preserving her mind that I ignored the four beautiful girls she left behind.”

“I almost let them be taken from me.”

“The company can run without me.”

“My daughters can’t.”

Emma looked up, her lips stained with chocolate.

“Are you staying home today, Daddy?”

“I’m staying home every day, Emma,” Nathan said, a soft smile breaking through his tired features.

“We’re going to pack up this house.”

“And we’re going to move somewhere warm.”

“Somewhere we can see the ocean.”

The girls cheered, clapping their hands together.

“The beach!” Grace squealed.

“Can we get a dog?” Lily asked.

“We can get a very big dog,” Nathan promised.

He looked back at me, his eyes filled with a quiet determination.