Seeing his daughter cry like that broke something deep inside Daniel.
He moved closer to the bed, his heart aching with every sob that escaped her lips. Gently, he raised his hand and wiped away her tears, one by one, as though each tear carried a piece of her pain.
"Hey… hey," he whispered softly. "Don't cry anymore, okay? Everything is going to be fine now."
Mia tried to stop crying, but her lips trembled uncontrollably.
Daniel leaned forward and kissed her forehead tenderly, holding it there for a few seconds as if drawing strength from her warmth.
"Thank you," he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for choosing me, sweetheart."
He pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes, his own already glassy.
"If you had chosen your mother today," he continued honestly, "I don't even know what I would have done. I think… I think I would have completely lost myself."
Mia's tears slowed.
Daniel held her hands tightly, as if afraid she might disappear. "I promise you something," he said firmly. "I will take good care of you. I will give you everything you need. I may not be perfect, but I will never let you lack."
His voice softened further. "I will be your shield. Your protector. No matter what happens in this world, I will always stand in front of you."
Mia's heart swelled.
With trembling hands, she reached up and wiped the tears from her father's eyes, just as he had done for her moments earlier.
"I promise you too, Dad," she said through a sniffle. "I will never abandon you. Never."
Daniel couldn't hold it anymore.
He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly, as though trying to shield her from every pain the world could throw at her. Mia hugged him back with equal strength, her small arms wrapped around his neck.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
When they finally pulled apart, Mia looked at him curiously, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Dad," she asked softly, "why didn't you tell Mom that you're rich now? If she knew, maybe she would have stayed with us."
Daniel froze.
That question hit him deeper than he expected.
He sighed slowly and sat down beside her, still holding her hand.
"Sweetheart," he began carefully, "yes… I am rich now."
Mia's eyes widened slightly.
"But," he continued, "what happens if we wake up one day and that money is gone? What happens if we suddenly become poor again?"
Mia stayed quiet, listening closely.
"She will leave us again," Daniel said honestly. "And I don't want a love that depends on money. I don't want someone who stays only because of comfort."
He squeezed her hand gently. "I want peace. And I want honesty. Even if it's painful."
Mia nodded slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes.
"That's true, Dad," she said after a moment. "I didn't think of that."
She paused, then added quietly, "I just wanted you and Mom to be together. But if she doesn't want that… and you don't have a problem with it, then neither do I."
Daniel smiled sadly.
"Thank you, sweetheart," he said. "And don't worry—we're going to be just fine."
Mia nodded.
The long day finally caught up with her. Her eyes looked heavy, and her body was clearly exhausted.
"You should get some rest," Daniel said gently. "Today has been too much for you."
He carefully arranged her on the hospital bed, adjusting the pillow and making sure she was comfortable. Within minutes, her breathing slowed, and she drifted into sleep.
Daniel stood there for a while, watching her sleep.
Only when he was sure she was resting peacefully did he turn and walk toward the small table in the room.
He opened his laptop, intending to check a few emails.
But before he could even touch the keyboard, his phone started ringing.
He frowned.
It wasn't his personal phone.
He looked around and realized it was the hospital phone placed on the table.
He picked it up.
"Doc," he said.
"Greetings, Mr. Daniel," the doctor's calm voice came through.
"Greetings, Doc."
"I'm calling to inform you about the nurse."
Daniel straightened. "All right, Doc. What's the update?"
"The nurse has accepted to work with you."
Daniel felt a wave of relief. "That's good news. Thank you."
"So how much is the pay?" he asked.
"Mr. Daniel," the doctor replied, "you will be required to pay the hospital one thousand dollars monthly for the period she will not be available here and will instead be at your home. As for her personal service charges, I believe the both of you should discuss that privately."
"That's fine, Doc. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, Mr. Daniel."
Daniel hesitated, then added, "Doc, is it possible for my daughter to be discharged tomorrow morning? I just want her to rest well today."
"That won't be a problem," the doctor said. "But please note that her hospital bills will increase."
"That's not a problem at all," Daniel replied without hesitation.
"Very well. I'll inform the nurse to come see you. Have a good day, Mr. Daniel."
"Same to you, Doc."
The call ended.
Daniel exhaled deeply and finally turned back to his laptop.
As the screen lit up, his eyes casually scanned the trading platform still open from earlier.
Then he froze.
His heart skipped.
His breath caught in his throat.
He leaned closer to the screen, blinking rapidly, convinced his eyes were deceiving him.
$500,000.
No—more than that.
Over five hundred thousand dollars.
Daniel's hands began to tremble.
He remembered his last trade clearly. He had been so distracted by Mia's condition that he never checked the final results. He had traded everything he had without even looking back.
And now…
Now this.