A millionaire gave $350 to a beggar to buy food for her child. The next morning, he saw her at the grave of his beloved who died 23 years ago…

And now, more than ever, Richard knew he couldn’t turn his back on her. He stood up, his resolve hardening. If there was one thing he could still do, it was be there for Sophie and Daniel.

He had already lost too much time. And he wasn’t about to lose anymore. The next morning, Richard made a decision.

He needed to reach out to Sophie. He had promised her he would try. And now, more than ever, he wanted to keep that promise.

He wasn’t sure how it would work. Or how they would navigate the complicated mess of emotions between them. But he was willing to figure it out.

He picked up the phone and dialed the number Sophie had given him. His heart raced as he waited for her to answer. Unsure of what he would say when she did.

After a few rings, Sophie’s voice came through the line, soft but steady. Hello? Sophie? Richard began, his voice betraying the nervousness he felt. It’s me.

Richard. I’ve been thinking. About everything.

And I think we need to talk. There was a pause on the other end, and Richard held his breath, unsure of how she would respond. Finally, Sophie spoke.

Yeah, I think we do. Richard exhaled, the tension in his chest easing slightly. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

And right now, that was enough. The next time Richard saw Sophie, it was in a quiet corner of a small cafe, far from the bustling streets of the city. He had chosen the spot deliberately.

Intimate but neutral. Somewhere they could talk without the weight of the past hanging too heavily over them. He arrived early, nervously adjusting his shirt collar as he sat down at the table, waiting for her.

His mind was still spinning with everything he had read in Emily’s journal. It had brought him closer to understanding her. But it had also deepened the ache of not being able to ask her directly why she made the choices she did.

Richard looked up as Sophie entered the cafe, Daniel in her arms. She spotted him immediately and walked over, her face calm but cautious. There was a tension in her movements, like she wasn’t sure how this was going to go.

Hi, she said softly, settling into the chair across from him. She shifted Daniel in her arms, trying to make him comfortable before looking at Richard again. Thanks for meeting me.

Richard nodded, his throat tightening with nerves. Of course, he said, his voice a little rougher than he intended. He glanced down at Daniel, who was looking up at him with wide eyes, curious but quiet.

How is he? Sophie smiled faintly, brushing a hand over the baby’s head. He’s doing good, growing fast. There was a brief silence between them, neither quite sure how to start the conversation that was looming over them.

Richard cleared his throat, deciding it was best to just dive in. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you told me, Richard began, his voice low. And I found something, something that, well, it explains a little bit of why Emily didn’t tell me about you.

Sophie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but guarded. What did you find? Richard hesitated for a moment, then reached into his jacket and pulled out Emily’s journal. He slid it across the table towards Sophie.

I found this. It’s her journal, from the last year of her life. She wrote about her fears, her worries, why she kept you a secret.

Sophie stared at the journal, her fingers grazing the edges of the cover but not opening it. She wrote about me. Richard nodded.

She didn’t name you directly, but it’s clear that she was scared. Scared of how I would react, scared of how having a child would affect our lives. She thought she was protecting me by keeping it from me.

Sophie’s expression softened, her hand resting on the journal for a moment before she pulled it back. I’ve spent my whole life wondering why she didn’t want me, she said quietly. Her voice tinged with a sadness that Richard hadn’t seen before.

It’s hard to hear that it wasn’t just about me, that she was trying to protect you too. Richard leaned forward, his eyes searching hers. It wasn’t that she didn’t want you, Sophie.

I can see now that she was overwhelmed. She didn’t know how to handle everything. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t love you.

I think she was just… lost. Sophie let out a long breath, her shoulders sagging slightly. I guess I always imagined that if I found out why she gave me up, it would give me some kind of closure.

But now, it just feels… complicated. Richard nodded. I know, it’s not easy.

But the one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t change the past. You can only decide what to do with the present. There was a pause, and Richard could see the emotions flickering across Sophie’s face.

Sadness, confusion, but also a hint of relief. It was as if hearing those words about her mother had lifted some of the weight she had been carrying for so long. I don’t know what to do with all of this, Sophie admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

I’ve spent so much time feeling angry at her, at you, and now I don’t know what to feel. Richard’s heart ached at the raw vulnerability in her voice. He wanted to say something, anything, to make it better.

But he knew there were no simple answers. They were both navigating uncharted territory, trying to make sense of the mess that had been left behind. I get it, Richard said softly.

I’ve been angry too, but maybe, maybe we can try to figure this out together. Sophie looked at him, her eyes searching his for some kind of reassurance. You really want to be a part of my life? After everything? I do, Richard said without hesitation.

I’ve already lost so much time, Sophie. I don’t want to lose anymore. If you’re willing to give this a chance, I am too.

Sophie was quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly. I’m willing to try. But I need time, Richard.

This is a lot to take in. Richard reached across the table, his hand hovering near hers but not quite touching it. I understand.

We’ll take it one step at a time. There’s no rush. Sophie glanced at Daniel, who had fallen asleep in her arms, and then back at Richard.

He doesn’t have a grandfather, you know. She said softly, a hint of a smile on her lips. Richard’s heart swelled.

I’d like to change that, he said, his voice thick with emotion. Sophie nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek as she wiped it away quickly. I think Daniel would like that too.

For the first time, Richard felt a flicker of hope. It was fragile, but it was there. He had spent so many years believing that his life had ended when Emily died, that there was no way forward.

But now, sitting here with Sophie and Daniel, he realized that there was still something left to fight for. They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of their shared past hanging in the air. But there was also something new, a tentative connection, a chance at rebuilding what had been lost…