Millions of dollars at stake.
Victor had chosen the business.
Anna died three months later.
He had never forgiven himself.
But there was something else.
Anna had been married to a man named Daniel Carter.
Daniel had struggled financially.
After Anna died, Victor had offered money.
Daniel refused.
Then Victor stopped contacting them.
He hadn't seen Susan or Emily since.
Emily looked at him.
"My mother never hated you."
Victor swallowed.
"I deserve it."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because she said Anna wouldn't want that."
Victor looked down.
"Where is your mother?"
Emily gave him an address.
He folded the paper.
"Why are you working here?"
Emily smiled faintly.
"Because I need money."
Victor looked around the luxurious restaurant.
"You have family?"
"My brother."
"Older?"
"Younger."
"Where is he?"
"At college."
Victor nodded.
"Your mother?"
"She works from home."
"What does she do?"
"She makes clothes."
Victor stared at Emily.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Emily looked confused.
"You never knew who I was."
Victor closed his eyes.
He suddenly remembered the way he had spoken to her.
The way he had pointed.
The way he had told her to know her place.
He felt sick.
He looked at the photograph.
The girl he had humiliated was his niece.
His sister's daughter.
The child he had never met.
He whispered,
"I'm sorry."
Emily looked at him.
"For what?"
"For everything."
She didn't answer.
Victor handed the photograph back.
"Keep it."
Emily shook her head.
"No."
He looked at her.
"It's yours."
"My mother wanted you to have it."
Victor stared.
"Why?"
"Because she said you needed to remember who you were before you became rich."
Those words hit harder than anything Emily had said.
Victor nodded slowly.
"I do."
Emily walked away.
Victor remained standing in the middle of the restaurant.
The manager approached.
"Mr. Harrington?"
Victor didn't respond.
"Sir?"
Victor looked at him.
"Who is she?"
"Emily Carter."
"How long has she worked here?"
"Almost two years."
"Did you know she was my niece?"
"No."
Victor nodded.
"Neither did I."
The manager didn't understand.
Victor looked toward the kitchen.
"Bring her back."
"Sir?"
"I need to speak to her."
Emily returned.
Victor stood there.
He wanted to say something.
Anything.
But the words didn't come.
Finally he said,
"Can I take you home?"
Emily shook her head.
"I can get home."
"I know."
"Then why?"