The elite of New York was murmuring in the posh restaurant, which was humming with the tinkling of crystal glasses. Edward Harrington, a millionaire, who was poised and fully collected, sat at the center table with his wife Margaret who was well dressed. Edward sat next to Margaret. Edward was a man whose presence dominated boardrooms over the decades and he was known to have everything under his control. He was powerful and invincible.
But to-night that image was beginning to wear a little.
A young waitress was bringing two dishes in her hands as she came. She was not more than twenty years old. She was plainly dressed, yet there was something of quiet authority about her. She looked up at him as she set the dish before Edward, and he stood motionless at once.
There was something in her eyes. The effect of a tidal wave that hit him.
He had met her before.
Precisely 15 years ago.
In another time and in another life.
“Yes, sir? The waitress asked him, “Are you all right?” when she noticed that he had frozen in place.
It could be an image of three people.
Edward, with his choked throat, blinked. “What? What is your name?
The whole restaurant went dead quiet. I am Lily, sir.
It was the frown of Margaret. What are you doing, Edward? She is nothing but a waitress.
Edward could not avert his eyes. His heart was beating fast in his chest. Lily, I say, can I ask you your last name?
She furrowed her brow. “I… No, I do not know. I grew up in foster care. I was told that I was dumped as a baby.
Edward had a wine glass in his hand and it slipped out of his hand and shattered on the floor. Dialogues were at a halt. Lily looked anxiously at her supervisor and he groaned and nodded.
The color drained out of Margaret.
During fifteen years, Edward was told that his small daughter died because of a tragic accident. When he was in the hospital, he remembered the small pink blanket that was provided to him and he also remembered crying the first time in years. It was inevitable, Margaret had told him, and she had been with him all the time.
Despite all this, this young lady was standing before him, and every atom of his body cried out, She is mine.
James Edward shook. How old are you?
Lily replied, with a doubtful tone, Fifteen, nearly sixteen.
The fork of Margaret scraped on the plate.
Edward rose unexpectedly. We must talk now.
One of the waitresses withdrew. I was at work, sir, I said.
We have to move fast. He went to the manager. I will pay her break.
She put her hand on his arm. You are being a perfect fool, Edward. Sit down.
But he backed away with his eyes still on Lily. Not more than five minutes. I entreat you.”
Thou art my daughter, said he, in a low voice. Forty-five minutes.
Edward went down on his knees outside, so that he could be on a level with her. Do you have anything that you had as a little child? Or a mark? Is it a souvenir?
She touched her on the neck. Here I have a little birthmark that is shaped like a star. I was found to be covered with a pink blanket… It was stitched with the letter E on it. “Why?”
Edward was suddenly unable to breathe. That blanket, yes. That denotes.
It was 15 years ago when I was informed that my daughter was dead.
She made a few steps back. What kind of a joke is this?
The phrase I am not joking came out of the mouth of Edward in shatters. Margaret appeared again, with the stamp of anxiety of a tense situation on her face. But you, you are so like her. My first wife, like her mother.
Lily was trembling. I cannot understand.
He looked at her with dark eyes. Edward, thou hast to stop. You are confusing the poor girl still more.
Margaret sat up with a jerk, and in a clipped voice said, You were too busy with your work to be able to raise a child. If Margaret… You had an idea, had you? You wronged me. All these years.”
She was silent a moment. Then, in a cool and disdainful voice, they told me, “You are seeing things.”
It is not. You chose to hide it. You–you–you are my daughter, then–you are my daughter–considering that–considering that–considering that–” He stopped, the realization striking him at once. You made me think that she was dead. You could have made her disappear, couldn t you?
Margaret drew her lips in to a thin line.
Edward looked back and forth between the frightened young woman and the woman who had already been a part of his life. Tell me the truth, pray. Did you bring my daughter?
Lily flinched a step and her hands trembled. I think I did something that was good to both of us.
Lily gasped. You mean you have given me up?
She was dead when Margaret stared her in the face. You would not understand. Your father was a builder of an empire. The baby was crying, but he had no time to do that. He knew little about it–”
It’s enough! Edward gave a cry. I trusted you. Due to you, I lost a child. Do you think you could understand the effect that incident produced on me?
Margaret made but a slight flinch in reply. You would have liked her better than me, I said. I could not permit it to occur.”
I have lost you, Lily, said Edward, because I trusted the wrong man. I would like to go. This is too much… I can understand nothing.”
Edward hastened to be nearer to her. Wait, I entreat you. I know it is utterly unthinkable, but I swear… I am your father.
Lily looked deep into his eyes. Why should I believe you?
Edward pulled out an old photo of him holding a newborn baby in his arms because the baby was wrapped in a pink blanket which was embroidered with the letter E. Then he took a worn leather wallet out of his pocket.
This photograph was taken at the time of your birth. I was thinking that you still have that blanket.
Lily nodded, slowly. It is so. I have been using it all my life.
Margaret turned white as a ghost.
I ought to have known better. Next time I will not allow you to go.”
She shook her head, though she was feeling tears in her eyes. I need time to think.
Edward nodded a bit and repressed his emotions. Take your time. I only have to ensure that you are safe. Suppose Margaret did this… What other things can she do? Who knows?
Her explosion was fierce. Why should you venture to accuse me? By so doing you are turning her against me!
Edward stared at her. You did it yourself, all alone.
That night Edward decided to hire a private investigator. After forty-eight hours, they had the evidence, which consisted of fraudulent adoption papers, anonymous financial payments to the orphanage, and a forged death certificate, all of which implicated Margaret.
She was irrational when confronted.
Indeed! She yelled, I did it! That youngster was the only one you cared about! All that was planned and talked about was about her! Edward, I was your wife, and I did not want to be second to a baby during our life together!
Edward was trying hard to keep his head cool as he clenched his fists. You betrayed me twice over. You killed an innocent man.
Lily sat in a corner and did not say a word until she finally spoke through her tears. All my life I had the feeling that nobody wanted me. Was it so that my father was still alive all this time?
Edward sank down beside her, and he trembled. I sought you every day. I feared that I had lost you. But now I know that it was not my fault. It was hers.”
At last Margaret tried again. The words, Edward, we can mend this–
Out, he said in a cold voice.
What is it?
Move out. Out of my house. The rest will be handled by my legal team.
But the following weeks were not easy. Due to years of abandonment, Lily was resistant, and she felt mistrust. She was not used to the silence of the mansion, the servants and the luxury.
Edward found her sitting alone at the vast dining-table, in the middle of the night, her dinner still before her.
He put a friendly question, Do you want more?
She nodded her head. It is not about the food. What’s more… I do not feel like I belong here.
He sat down on her right. Owning a house does not make a family. I have no interest in all this at all. “You matter to me.”
Her eyes appeared to mellow. You mean that?
He answered with a firm I do. I have lost you already, Lily. And, with your leave, I will spend the remainder of my life in endeavouring to make amends.
Gradually she felt confident in him. When she returned to school, her real identity was exposed. He attended every single event, every single recital. She felt what it was like to be wanted, and not because she had to but because she was loved.
In the example of Margaret, she was accused of fraud, kidnapping, and endangering a child.
On the day of the trial, Edward was spotted holding the hand of Lily as the cameras flashed. You need not look at her unless you want to.
Lily nodded a bit. I have lost all interest in her since then. I just want to be with you.
That night, after they had returned to the mansion, Lily said, in a low voice, to her father, “Dad, may I call you that?”
The tears started to fill the eyes of Edward.
I have been waiting to hear you say it the last fifteen years.
