A quiet murmur of New York’s elite could be heard in the upscale restaurant, which was buzzing gently with the sound of crystal glasses clinking together. Edward Harrington, a millionaire who was poised and completely collected, sat at the center table along with his wife Margaret, who was dressed nicely. Margaret was sitting next to Edward. Edward had been a figure whose presence controlled boardrooms for decades, and he had a reputation for having complete control over everything. He was strong and unshakeable.
But tonight, that picture was starting to show signs of deterioration.
As she arrived, a young waitress was carrying two dishes in her hands. Her age could not have been more than twenty years old. Her attire was simple, yet she had an air of unassuming power in her stance. While she was putting Edward’s dish in front of him, her eyes briefly met his, and he immediately became still.
A certain something could be seen in her eyes. The impact of something that struck him like a tidal wave.
Before, he had encountered her.
15 years ago, to be exact.
In a different era and a different existence.
“Yes, sir? When the waitress saw that he had suddenly become still, she inquired, “Are you okay?”
It might be a picture of three individuals.
Edward, whose throat was constricted, blinked. “What? ” Please tell me your name.
Confused, she paused for a moment. “I am Lily, sir.”
It was Margaret’s frown. “Edward, what you are doing right now? A waitress is all that she is.
Edward was unable to turn his gaze away. In his chest, his heart was beating rapidly. “Lily… may I ask what your last name is?”
Her brow wrinkled in concentration. “I… ” No, I’m not sure. I spent my childhood in the foster care system. I was informed that I had been dumped when I was a baby.
Edward was holding a wine glass when it suddenly fell out of his grasp and broke on the ground. Conversations came to a standstill. The restaurant as a whole sank into complete quiet.
The color fled from Margaret’s face.
Over a period of fifteen years, Edward was informed that his little daughter had passed away as a result of a sad accident. During his stay in the hospital, he recalled the little pink blanket that was given to him, and he also recalled sobbing for the first time in years. It had been inevitable, Margaret had assured him, and she had been by his side the whole time.
In spite of everything, this young lady was standing in front of him, and every ounce of his being spoke out, “She is mine.”
James Edward’s voice was shaking. What is your age, exactly?
In response, Lily said, “Fifteen… almost sixteen,” with a tone of doubt in her voice.
Margaret’s fork scraped on the surface of her plate.
Unexpectedly, Edward stood up. “We have to have a conversation right now.”
One of the waitresses retreated. “I’m working, sir,” I said.
We must act quickly. It was the manager that he went to. “Her break will be paid for by me.”
She reached out and grasped his arm. “You are being really silly, Edward. “Take a seat.”
However, he retreated while maintaining his gaze fixed on Lily. “No more than five minutes. I beg you.”
A anxious look was sent by Lily to her supervisor, who groaned and nodded in response. “Forty-five minutes.”
Edward knelt down outside so that he could be at eye level with her. “Are there any things that you have from when you were a little child? Or a mark? Is it a memento?
On her neck, she made a touch. “This is where I have a little birthmark that looks like a star. It was discovered that I was wrapped in a pink blanket… It was sewn with the letter ‘E’ on it. “Why?”
Edward’s breath abruptly stopped. Yes, that blanket. That denotes.
As he said in a low voice, “You are my daughter.”
She took a few steps back. What sort of a joke is this, exactly?
The words “I’m not joking” came out of Edward’s mouth shattering. The news that my daughter had passed away came to me fifteen years ago. However, you… you have a striking resemblance to her. My first wife, who is similar to her mother.
Lily’s voice was shaking. “I am not able to comprehend.”
Margaret reappeared, her face etched with the strain of a tense situation. “Edward, you must pause. “You are making the poor girl more confused.”
His eyes were dark as he turned to face her. If Margaret… You had a notion, didn’t you? I was wronged by you. For all of these years.”
She did not speak for a little moment. Next, with a calm and dismissive tone, they said, “You’re imagining things.”
It is not. You decided to conceal it. Considering that she is my daughter, you—” He halted, the knowledge coming to him all at once. “You led me to assume that she had passed away. You had the ability to make her vanish, didn’t you?
Margaret pulled her lips together to form a thin line.
Edward’s eyes darted back and forth between the terrified young lady and the woman who had already been a part of his life. Give me the truth, please. Have you taken my daughter with you?
Margaret straightened her posture and spoke in a clipped tone, saying, “You were too preoccupied with your work to be able to raise a child.” In my opinion, I acted in a way that was beneficial to both of us.
Lily let out a gasp. You’re suggesting that you’ve given up on me, right?
When Margaret looked her in the eye, she was dead. I don’t think you would comprehend. Building an empire was your father’s occupation. The infant was sobbing, but he didn’t have time for that. He was hardly aware of it—”
It’s enough! Edward let out a shout. “I had faith in you. Because of you, I grieved the loss of a child. Could you really comprehend the impact that incident had on me?
Margaret scarcely flinched in response. “You would have prefered her to me,” I said. I couldn’t allow it to happen.”
Lily took a step back, her hands shaking slightly. “I would want to go. This is an excessive amount… There is nothing that I can comprehend.”
Edward went in a hurry to get closer to her. “I beg you, please wait. I realize that this is completely unfathomable, but I promise… My name is your father.
Lily’s eyes gazed intently into his. “What gives me reason to believe you?”
Edward took out an old photograph of himself cuddling a newborn baby as the baby was covered in a pink blanket that was embroidered with the letter ‘E’. He then pulled out a faded leather wallet from his pocket.
At the moment of your birth, this photograph was taken. I was wondering whether you still have that blanket.
Gradually, Lily gave a nod. It is true. I’ve used it throughout my whole life.
Margaret paled to the point of a ghost.
Edward said, “Lily, I lost you because I trusted the wrong person.” “I should have known better.” Another time, I won’t let you go.”
Although she was experiencing tears in her eyes, she shook her head. “I require some time to reflect.”
Edward gave a little nod while suppressing his feelings. Please take as much time as you need. All I need to do is make sure that you are safe. If Margaret were to do this… Who can say what other things she is capable of doing?
Her outburst was intense. Why would you dare to blame me? Just by doing that, you are turning her against me!
Edward fixed his gaze on her. You accomplished it by yourself, all by yourself.
Edward made the decision to engage a private investigator that evening. With the passage of forty-eight hours, they were in possession of the evidence, which included fraudulent adoption paperwork, anonymous financial transactions to the orphanage, and a fabricated death certificate, all of which pointed to Margaret.
She became irrational when challenged.
Indeed! She let out a shout, “I did it!” “That youngster was the only one you cared about! Everything that was planned and discussed revolved around her! Edward, I was your wife, and I refused to be second to a baby throughout our time together!
Edward struggled to maintain his cool while clenching his fists. “You betrayed me in more ways than one. You took the life of a man who was innocent.
In the corner, Lily remained mute until she eventually spoke through her tears. “Throughout my whole existence, I was under the impression that no one desired me. Is it true that my father was still living all this time?
Edward knelt down next to her, his voice shaking slightly. “I searched for you each and every day. I was afraid that I had lost you. However, I am now aware that it was not my fault. It belonged to her.”
Finally, Margaret gave it one more shot. The phrase “Edward, we can fix this—”
“Leave,” he stated in a chilly tone.
“What is it?”
Pack up your belongings. Get out of my house. The remainder will be handled by my legal team.
However, the weeks that followed were challenging. As a result of years of being abandoned, Lily resisted, feeling mistrust. The mansion’s stillness, the staff, and the opulence were all things that she was not used to.
In the middle of the night, Edward saw her seated by herself at the enormous dining table, her dinner yet unfinished.
A kind question was addressed by him, “Do you want something else?”
She motioned with her head. This is not about the food. What’s more… This is not a place where I feel like I belong.
To her right, he sat down. Having a home does not constitute a family. I am completely uninterested in any of this. “You are important to me.”
Her eyes seemed to soften. Are you serious about that?
He responded with a solid “I do.” “I have already lost you, Lily. If you give me permission, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it.
Over time, she developed a sense of confidence in him. Her true identity was revealed when she went back to school. He was there at each and every function, including each and every recital. She experienced what it was like to be desired for the very first time, and it was not out of obligation but rather out of love.
With regard to Margaret, she was accused of committing fraud, abduction, and endangering the safety of a child.
While the cameras were flashing, Edward was seen holding Lily’s hand on the day of the trial. There is no need for you to gaze at her if you do not choose to do so.
Lily gave a little nod. Since then, I have lost all interest in her. The only thing I want is to be with you.
During that evening, when they were back at the mansion, Lily whispered, “Dad… is it okay if I call you that?”
The tears began to well up in Edward’s eyes.
For the last fifteen years, I have been waiting to hear you announce it.