For a moment, the sadness of the past seemed to disappear.
Richard sat beside her.
"I want you to have something."
He handed her a small box.
Inside was an old silver pendant.
Victoria recognized it immediately.
Her mother had worn an identical necklace in several photographs.
Richard explained that he had bought it for Eleanor during their first year together.
"I kept the matching one all these years."
Victoria held it carefully.
"Thank you."
Richard looked at her.
"Your mother should have been here to give it to you."
Victoria smiled sadly.
"She is here, in a way."
Richard nodded.
He looked around the cabin.
"Would you like to take a flight?"
Victoria laughed.
"Where?"
"Anywhere you want."
She thought for a moment.
"Somewhere peaceful."
Richard smiled.
"Then let's go."
CHAPTER 14: A DIFFERENT KIND OF WEALTH
The aircraft took off just before sunset.
Victoria sat beside the window.
The city gradually disappeared beneath the clouds.
Richard sat across from her.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Finally, Victoria turned.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Why didn't you ever marry?"
Richard looked out the window.
"I was married once, briefly. It didn't work."
He paused.
"After that, I buried myself in business."
Victoria nodded.
"Because of my mother?"
"Perhaps partly."
He smiled sadly.
"I never admitted it to myself."
Victoria looked down at the pendant.
"I used to think having a rich father would solve all our problems."
Richard turned toward her.
"Did you?"
"Sometimes. Especially when Mom was sick."
He lowered his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Victoria shook her head.
"I don't want you to spend the rest of your life apologizing."
Richard smiled faintly.
"Then what do you want?"
She looked at him.
"Time."
He nodded.
"That's something I can give you."
She smiled.
For the first time, they began talking like a real father and daughter.
They discussed her childhood.
Her education.
Her work.
Her dreams.
Richard listened to everything.
He didn't interrupt.
He didn't check his phone.
He didn't ask his assistant to remind him about a meeting.
He simply listened.
And Victoria realized that this was worth more than any expensive gift.
CHAPTER 15: THE FINAL SURPRISE
Several months later, Richard organized a small family gathering.
There were no reporters.
No business executives.
No television cameras.
Only a few close friends and people who had known Eleanor.
Victoria stood beside Richard in the garden of his home.
He raised a glass.
"Today, I want to celebrate someone who changed my life long before I understood how important she was."
He looked at Victoria.
"My daughter."
The guests applauded.
Richard continued.