The man drove the little girl home.
His heart pounded harder with every turn.
When they reached a small, run-down apartment, the girl opened the door.
A pale little boy sat on an old couch, wrapped in a blanket.
In the kitchen stood Marilyn.
The grocery bag slipped from the girl’s hands.
Marilyn slowly turned around.
The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stop.
She whispered his name.
“Daniel…”
He could barely breathe.
“You told me the baby didn’t survive.”
Marilyn burst into tears.
“I lied.”
She admitted that years ago she had disappeared after learning powerful people wanted Daniel’s fortune. To protect their unborn child, she vanished without telling him the truth.
Daniel looked at the little boy.
The child had the same eyes.
The same smile.
The same tiny birthmark on his wrist.
His knees nearly gave out.
He knelt in front of the boy.
“I’m your father.”
The little boy hesitated for a moment…
Then wrapped his arms around Daniel’s neck.
Outside the apartment window, a black luxury SUV quietly pulled up.
A man inside lowered his sunglasses.
“So… he finally found them,” he muttered.
He picked up his phone.
“Don’t let that family leave alive.”
