Emily took a deep breath.
"I just need to finish my shift."
Meanwhile, Victor continued his dinner.
He didn't think about Emily.
He didn't think about her feelings.
He didn't care.
He believed the incident was finished.
But he didn't know that the woman he had just humiliated had walked into the restaurant carrying a secret that would soon change his life.
At 9:30 p.m., Victor finished his meal.
He signed the receipt.
He stood.
As he walked toward the exit, he saw Emily carrying a tray.
Their eyes met.
Victor looked away.
Emily stepped aside.
He walked past her.
Then a small voice behind him said,
"Excuse me, sir."
Victor stopped.
He turned.
Emily stood several feet away.
She looked nervous.
"Yes?"
"You left something."
Victor checked his pockets.
"My wallet?"
"No."
"Phone?"
"No."
Emily held up a small envelope.
Victor stared.
"What is that?"
"It was under your chair."
He took it.
The envelope had his name written on it.
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Victor's expression changed.
The photograph showed a young woman standing beside a little boy.
Victor recognized the woman immediately.
His sister.
Anna.
She had died fifteen years earlier.
Victor looked at Emily.
"Where did you get this?"
Emily swallowed.
"My mother gave it to me."
"Your mother?"
"Her name is Susan Carter."
Victor froze.
"Susan?"
Emily nodded.
Victor stared at her.
He remembered the name.
He hadn't heard it in years.
"How do you know my sister?"
Emily looked at him.
"She was my mother."
Victor's face went completely white.
The restaurant seemed to disappear around him.
"You..."
He looked at the photograph again.
The little boy beside Anna was himself.
The woman holding his shoulder was Anna.
And standing beside them was a younger version of Susan.
Victor's voice became quiet.
"Where is your mother?"
"At home."
"Does she know you're here?"
"Yes."
Victor looked at Emily.
"Why did she send this?"
Emily hesitated.
"She told me that if I ever met you, I should give you the photograph."
"Why?"
"She said you would know."
Victor couldn't speak.
He remembered.
Fifteen years earlier, his sister Anna had been diagnosed with a rare illness.
She had needed expensive treatment.
Victor had been busy building his company.
He had told her he would help.
But he didn't.
Not immediately.
There had been a business deal.
A hotel acquisition.