That evening, after the boys were asleep in their rooms, I sat in my study.

The desk was piled high with folders, financial reports, and legal documents.

My phone buzzed continuously with emails from the board of directors.

There was a major merger scheduled for the upcoming month.

It would require me to travel to London for three weeks.

I picked up the phone.

I dialed the number of my chief operating officer, Richard.

He answered on the second ring.

“Daniel,” Richard said. “I was hoping you’d call. We need to finalize the London itinerary.”

“I’m not going, Richard,” I said.

The line went silent for a moment.

“What do you mean?” he asked. “The buyers expect you there.”

“I am stepping down,” I said.

“Effective immediately.”

“Daniel, you can’t be serious,” Richard said, his voice rising. “You built this company from the ground up.”

“And now I am leaving it in your hands,” I said.

“You are fully capable of running it.”

“I want the transition paperwork drawn up by tomorrow morning.”

“Is this about the incident with the housekeeper?” he asked.