"Because I want to meet your mother."
Emily looked at him.
"Tonight?"
"If she allows me."
Emily hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
They left the restaurant together.
The city was cold.
For the first time in years, Victor felt afraid.
Not of losing money.
Not of losing a business.
He was afraid of facing the family he had abandoned.
When they arrived at the small apartment, Emily opened the door.
"Mom?"
A woman's voice answered.
"Is that you?"
"Yes."
Susan appeared in the hallway.
She was fifty-eight.
Her hair was gray.
She looked tired.
Then she saw Victor.
She stopped.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Victor's eyes filled with tears.
"Susan."
She looked at him.
"Victor."
Emily stood between them.
Susan's face remained calm.
"You found us."
Victor nodded.
"Emily gave me the photograph."
Susan looked at her daughter.
Then back at Victor.
"I thought it was time."
Victor lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
Susan didn't respond.
"I should have come years ago."
"Yes."
"I was ashamed."
Susan nodded.
"I know."
"I didn't know how to face you."
"You could have knocked on the door."
Victor closed his eyes.
"You're right."
Susan looked at him.
"Anna would have wanted you here."
Victor began crying.
"I failed her."
Susan walked closer.
"You failed all of us."
Victor nodded.
"I know."
"But you're here now."
He looked up.
"Can you forgive me?"
Susan took a long breath.
"I already did."
Victor stared.
"Why?"
"Because holding anger for fifteen years didn't bring Anna back."
Victor cried harder.
Susan hugged him.
It was the first time they had touched in fifteen years.
Emily watched silently.
Her mother whispered,
"She would be happy."
Victor whispered,
"I don't deserve it."
Susan pulled away.
"Forgiveness isn't about deserving."
It was the beginning of something neither of them expected.
The next morning, Victor returned to the Grand Bellmont.
He asked for Emily.
She was serving breakfast.
He waited until she finished.
Then he approached her.
"Emily."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"I owe you an apology."
She nodded.
"I know."
"No."
Victor shook his head.
"You don't understand."
He looked around the restaurant.
"I humiliated you because I thought money gave me the right."
Emily remained silent.
"I thought people who worked for me were beneath me."
He swallowed.
"I was wrong."
Emily looked at him.
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you here?"