I remarried after my wife passed away — One day, my daughter suddenly said: “Dad, mom will be different when you’re gone.”

I never thought I’d find love again after losing Sarah. Grief had emptied me out so much that sometimes breathing felt optional.

Then Amelia came into my life, with her warm smiles and gentle patience, and in a way I still can’t explain, she made the world lighter.

Not just for me, but for Sophie too. My five-year-old daughter bonded with her almost instantly, which was nothing short of a miracle after those two hard years.

The first time Sophie met Amelia at the park, she didn’t want to leave the swing.

— Five more minutes, daddy, she pleaded, swinging higher and higher.

Then Amelia walked over, her summer dress playing in the late afternoon light, and said something that changed everything: — You know, I bet you could touch the clouds if you went a little higher.

Sophie’s eyes lit up. — Really?

— That’s what I believed when I was your age, Amelia replied with a wink. Want me to push you?

After our wedding, Amelia suggested we move into the house she’d inherited. Everything seemed perfect. The place was beautiful, with high ceilings and elegant woodwork.

Sophie’s eyes widened when she discovered her new room. — It’s a princess room, daddy! Can I paint the walls purple?

— We have to ask Amelia, sweetheart. It’s her house.

— Our house, Amelia gently corrected, squeezing my hand. And purple is a great idea, Sophie. We’ll pick the shade together.

Soon after, I had to leave on a business trip for a week—the first time since our wedding. I was nervous about leaving my little family when everything was still so new.

— Everything will be fine, Amelia reassured me, handing me a mug of coffee. And we’ll be fine, too. Sophie and I will have some girls’ time.

— She’s going to paint my nails, daddy! Sophie added as I kissed her forehead.

Everything seemed under control. But when I came back, Sophie almost knocked me over, throwing herself into my arms and clinging to me like she had after Sarah died.

— Daddy… the new mom is different when you’re not here, she whispered, her voice trembling.

My heart skipped a beat. — What do you mean, sweetheart?

— She locks herself in the attic room. And I hear weird noises. It scares me. And she says I can’t go in… and… she’s mean.

— Mean how?

— She makes me clean my whole room by myself, and she won’t even let me have ice cream when I’m good… I thought she loved me, but… but…

I hugged her tighter, my heart in pieces. It’s true Amelia spent a lot of time in the attic, even before I left. She said she was “sorting things,” and I hadn’t paid attention.

What Sophie said wasn’t dramatic, but it left a bitter taste. Had I made a mistake? Had my desire for a happy ending blinded me?

When Amelia came downstairs, I said nothing, just smiled and pretended Sophie had missed her daddy terribly. Later, we organized a little tea party with her favorite toys, as if to erase the tension.

But that night, I found Sophie in front of the attic door. — What’s in there, daddy?

— Probably just old stuff, I replied. Come on, it’s time to sleep.

Except I didn’t sleep. I kept thinking about the promises I made to Sarah: to protect Sophie, to make sure she grew up surrounded by love.

Around midnight, Amelia got up. I waited a moment before quietly following her. From the bottom of the stairs, I saw her open the attic door and go in without locking it.

I quickly went up and opened the door.

What I discovered left me speechless.

The attic had been transformed into a magical place: pastel walls, shelves filled with Sophie’s favorite books, a reading nook by the window, an easel with paints, string lights… and a little tea table with a teddy bear wearing a bow tie.

Amelia, surprised, set down the teapot and stammered: — I wanted it to be a surprise for Sophie…

— It’s beautiful, Amelia. But… why does Sophie say you’re so strict?

Her shoulders slumped. — I wanted to help her become more independent. I know I’ll never replace Sarah… I just wanted to do well. But I did everything wrong, didn’t I?

— You don’t have to be perfect, I said gently. Just be here.

Amelia sighed and admitted that, without realizing it, she’d repeated her own mother’s strict ways. — I tried so hard to create a perfect space that I forgot kids need mess, ice cream, and silly stories…

The next evening, we took Sophie to the attic. At first, wary, she hid behind me, until Amelia crouched down: — Sophie, I’m sorry I was too strict. I forgot what you need most is just… love. Want to see something?

Sophie cracked open the door, then froze, mouth agape. — Is… this for me?

— All for you, Amelia replied. And from now on, we’ll clean your room together… and we can eat ice cream while reading, if you want.

Sophie ran into her arms. — Thank you, new mommy. I love you.

— What if we have tea parties here? she added.

— With hot chocolate… and lots of cookies, Amelia laughed.

Later, as she tucked Sophie in, she whispered to me: — The new mom isn’t scary anymore. She’s nice.

Our path to becoming a real family wasn’t straight or simple. But seeing them the next day in the attic, sharing ice cream and stories, I knew everything would be alright.