“I tried to be a good girl so she wouldn’t hurt Toby,” the little girl said while looking at the floor. Dominic squeezed her hand and promised her that she would never have to be afraid in her own house again.
Success took on a completely different meaning for Dominic after that night. He stepped down from his role as CEO and took a consultant position that allowed him to work from his home office.
The cold, empty hallways of the Scottsdale estate were soon filled with the sounds of toys and real conversation. He learned how to cook their favorite meals and how to brush Audrey’s hair without tangling it.
One afternoon, while they were painting a mural on the playroom wall, Audrey paused and looked at him. “Dad, are you going to have to go on a plane again next week?” she asked tentatively.
Dominic put down his brush and hugged her, saying, “No, honey, I’m staying right here where I belong.” She sighed with relief and leaned her head against his shoulder, finally feeling the safety she had lacked for so long.
Dominic realized that the most important contract he ever signed was the unspoken one with his children. He understood that a father’s presence is the only thing that truly makes a house a home.
