Liam passed her a thick envelope. Her hands trembling, Evelyn opened it. Inside, she found the deed to a new house, purchased outright in her name. There were also documents for a substantial retirement fund. Tucked within was a handwritten note from Sophie. It read, “Because you fed us like we were your own when we had no one.”
Hot tears traced paths down Evelyn’s cheeks. She stood frozen in her worn apron, utterly overwhelmed by a moment that felt more like a dream than reality. The harsh, unforgiving world she had always known had, in an instant, delivered a profound miracle—one she never requested, but one she had earned a thousand times over.
The few remaining customers in the diner had risen to their feet, applauding softly. Many were discreetly dabbing at their eyes. The cook, her coworker for so many years, came over and put a strong, supportive arm around Evelyn’s shoulders.
Later that evening, Evelyn found herself sitting in the plush passenger seat of the Bentley as it pulled away from the diner for the very last time. She gazed out the window, watching as fresh snowflakes began to drift down from the dark sky.
And she realized that, for the first time in a very long time, the sight of it didn’t make her feel cold at all.
