Trish’s pregnancy news was still ringing in his head. I’m going to be a father, he whispered to himself. But something didn’t feel right.
His chest was tight. He couldn’t explain why he felt that way. He stared out the window, lost in silence.
Just then, something happened. A little girl ran across the sidewalk, crying and holding her necklace as she ran. People were staring, but no one stopped her.
Kelvin’s heart skipped. Something about the child, something about her tears, touched him deeply. Stop the car.
Kelvin said suddenly. The driver hit the brake quickly. So? Stop the car now.
Before the driver could ask anything else, Kelvin opened the door and jumped out. He ran after the little girl. Baby.
Hey. Baby. Stop, he called gently.
The little girl, Vera, turned and looked back. Her cheeks were wet. Her slippers were dusty.
Her little hand gripped the money tightly. Kelvin slowly bent down in front of her, breathing fast. Why are you crying, he asked.
Vera wiped her eyes. My mummy is sick. I’m going to buy medicine for her.
Kelvin looked at her closely and froze. His eyes dropped to her chest. There it was.
His necklace. His gold necklace. The one with his family name, K. Williams.
Kelvin’s eyes widened. He felt like the ground under his feet was shaking. He pointed to the necklace slowly, almost afraid to speak.
Where? Where did you get this necklace, he asked, his voice trembling. Vera stepped back a little. Don’t touch it, she said quickly.
My mummy said I shouldn’t let anyone touch my daddy’s necklace. Kelvin stared at her, unable to speak for a moment. Why your daddy’s necklace, he whispered.
Yes, Vera nodded. My mummy gave it to me. She said it’s the only thing my daddy left.
Kelvin’s chest tightened. His hands were shaking. Who? Who is your daddy, he asked again.
Vera looked confused. I don’t know. Mummy never told me.
But she said this necklace is his. Kelvin blinked hard, his breath catching in his throat. This child, this little girl, was wearing his long lost necklace.
He couldn’t believe it. And your mummy, he asked carefully. What is her name? Isabella.
My mummy is Isabella. She’s sick right now. I’m going to buy drugs.
Where is your house? Kelvin asked quickly. Is it far? Vera pointed down a street. It’s close.
Over there. Kelvin stood up fast. He turned to his driver, who had parked and stepped out of the car.
Go to the nearest pharmacy and buy everything on that list, he said, handing the paper Vera was holding. The driver nodded and left immediately. Come, Vera, Kelvin said gently.
Take me to your mummy. And hand in hand, the billionaire followed the little girl, his own necklace swinging on her tiny neck and a strange truth waiting just around the corner. Kelvin’s heart was beating fast as he followed little Vera down the narrow street.
She held his hand tightly, still sniffing from crying, her small feet tapping quickly on the rough road. The gold necklace bounced gently on her chest, his lost necklace, the same one he had not seen in over five years. How did she get it? Who is this Isabella? Could it be? Too many thoughts filled his head, but he kept walking.
The road was rough and dusty. Small houses lined the street. Dogs barked in the distance.
Clothes hung from ropes outside poor homes. It was a part of town Kelvin had never visited in his entire life. He looked down at Vera again, her soft curly hair, her innocent eyes, her tiny voice.
Something in her touched a part of him he didn’t even know was still alive. At Isabella’s house. Isabella lay weak on her thin mattress, barely able to keep her eyes open.
She tried to sit up, but her body felt like it had no bones. Where’s Vera? She whispered to herself. Why hasn’t she come back yet? She tried to stand, but her legs gave out.
She sat back and covered her face with her hands. Tez slid down her cheeks again. She was tired, so tired of fighting alone.
Outside. Vera stopped in front of a wooden door. This is my house.
Kelvin looked around. The place was small, old and broken. He was quiet.
Vera opened the door and ran inside. Mommy. Mommy, I’m back.
I brought someone. Kelvin stepped in slowly behind her. As his eyes adjusted to the dim room, he saw her.
Isabella. She was lying on the floor mat, sweating and pale, her hand pressed to her head. She slowly turned her head and her eyes met Kelvin’s.
But Kelvin didn’t recognize her. Not yet. He walked forward slowly…
