I Remarried After My Wife’s Passing — One Day My Daughter Said, ‘Daddy, New Mom Is Different When You’re Gone’

A man with a confused frown | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t think much of it at first. Everyone needs their space, right? But now, I worried.

And while the behavior Sophie described wasn’t the worst-case scenario I’d braced myself for when she said Amelia was mean to her, it was still a little harsh.

As Sophie cried against my chest, I couldn’t help but wonder if bringing Amelia into our lives had been a huge mistake. Had I been so desperate to believe in our happy ending that I’d missed something important?

A man hugging his daughter | Source: Midjourney

But I didn’t say anything when Amelia came downstairs. I greeted her with a smile and made some remark about Sophie missing me as I lifted my daughter and carried her to her bedroom. Once she calmed down, we had a tea party with her favorite toys.

I hoped the moment had passed and we could get back to normal, but that evening, I found Sophie standing outside the attic door.

“What’s in there, Daddy?” She pressed her hand against the door.

A girl standing near a closed door | Source: Midjourney

I wished I knew the answer. “Probably just old things, sweetie. Come on, it’s almost bedtime.”

But sleep wouldn’t come that night. I lay in bed beside Amelia, watching shadows dance across the ceiling as questions chased each other through my mind.

Had I made a terrible mistake? Had I let someone into our lives who would hurt my little girl? I thought about the promises I’d made to Sarah in those final days. To keep Sophie safe. To make sure she grew up knowing love.

When Amelia slipped out of bed around midnight, I waited a few minutes before following her.