The millionaire decided to test the new housekeeper, leaving the safe open and turning on the camera. But after reviewing the recording, he was STUNNED by what he saw…

Leonard Sullivan was a man spoken of in business circles with respect and even envy. He had built a successful investment holding over 20 years, which brought stable income and made his name one of the most known in the city. His photos regularly appeared in business magazines, and young entrepreneurs dreamed of attending his master classes.

But Leonard himself considered himself an ordinary person who simply seized every opportunity life gave him. He lived in a spacious penthouse in the center of New York City. The panoramic windows of his apartment offered a view of the city lights at night.

Everything here was perfect: expensive furniture, latest-generation appliances, stylish paintings on the walls. Even the books on the shelves stood in even rows, as if no one had ever read them. For Leonard, this was not a home, but a refuge where he returned to rest between endless meetings and business trips.

Every morning of his started the same way. Leonard got up exactly at 6:30 AM, went to the bathroom with snow-white tiles, and turned on the shower. Then, putting on a perfectly ironed suit, he drank coffee brewed by his housekeeper

Everything was on schedule, as if he were not a human, but part of a complex mechanism. «If you want to achieve success, don’t waste time on nonsense,» he often repeated to his subordinates. And he really followed this rule.

He had no family, and he was proud of it. In his opinion, family and attachments hindered focus on business. Colleagues often joked behind his back: «Sullivan is a machine.»

«They say his heart even works on schedule.» But envy seeped through their voices, for he had achieved what most could only dream of. Despite all the outward well-being, deep down Leonard felt some emptiness.

He never told anyone about it and tried to drown it out with work. His schedule was planned by the minute: meetings, negotiations, discussions of new projects. Sometimes it seemed to him that his life was an endless cycle from which there was no escape.

But he quickly dismissed such thoughts, convincing himself that it was all for success. Sometimes in the evenings, standing by the window with a glass of wine, he looked at the city and thought about how far he had come from those days when he was an unknown young man. His colleagues and partners respected him for his firmness in decisions, discipline, and ability to take on the most complex challenges.

But behind all this success hid a deeply buried longing. Leonard always knew how to hide it, for in his world weakness was not forgiven. Everything around seemed perfect, but more and more often he wondered—for whom or what was all this?

When Leonard Sullivan returned from another business trip to Europe, his mood was, as always, businesslike and neutral. The flight went without hitches, the deal was successfully closed, which meant the day could be considered successful. He crossed the spacious hall of his penthouse, enjoying the fresh scent of cleanliness that always accompanied the cleaning by his housekeeper Theresa Johnson.

This woman had worked for him for eight years and was almost the only person who knew all about his habits. However, this time Theresa met him not with her usual polite smile, but with noticeable excitement. She was waiting for him in the kitchen, where she was just finishing wiping the table.

«Mr. Sullivan, can I have a moment?» she began, visibly nervous. Leonard slowed his step, looked at her over his glasses, but still nodded. «What’s wrong?» he asked briefly, expecting perhaps a request for a raise or a day off

Theresa fidgeted a bit, folded her hands in front of her, and said: «I need to leave.» «I’m very sorry, but I can’t work for you anymore.» Leonard frowned in surprise.

Theresa’s words hit him like a bolt from the blue. He knew her as a person who always performed her duties precisely and never complained. «Leave? Why?» he raised his voice slightly, though trying to stay calm.

«Did I offend you in some way?» «No, of course not, Mr. Sullivan,» she quickly assured him. «It’s just that my children decided to move closer to the coast.»

«You know, it’s quieter there, less noise, better for the grandchildren.» «My daughter is expecting another child, and I want to help.» «I want to babysit the grandkids while I still have the strength.»..

Leonard lowered his gaze, taking a minute to process what he heard. «Family, children, grandchildren.» All these words caused some internal irritation in him.

It was hard for him to understand why people were ready to drop everything for these, as he considered, meaningless attachments. «I see,» he replied briefly. «When are you leaving?»

«In a week,» Theresa answered softly. «I’d like to finish everything I started so the new person doesn’t have any difficulties.» Leonard nodded, holding back his dissatisfaction.

He didn’t want to waste time searching for a new person, but he understood there was little choice. When Theresa left, he immediately called his secretary, Sarah Kowalski. «Sarah, I need a new housekeeper,» he said.

«Find someone without children and, preferably, without any personal problems.» «So that no one in the family gets sick, moves, or expects grandchildren.» «I need a calm, modest, and responsible woman who won’t bring extra fuss.»

«Understood, Mr. Sullivan,» Sarah replied. «I’ll arrange everything.» Leonard, hanging up, thought: «Family is just trouble.»

«If you want stability, stay away from emotions.» The next day Sarah Kowalski contacted Leonard. «I found a candidate,» she reported over the phone.

«It’s a young woman.» «No children, no family.» «From what I see, an ideal option.»

«Good, schedule a meeting,» Leonard replied dryly. The next morning the new housekeeper appeared in the penthouse. Her name was Olivia.

She was a girl of about 27, modest and shy. She stood at the door, eyes downcast, slightly shifting from foot to foot. She wore a simple gray sweater, a long skirt below the knees, and old-fashioned shoes.

Her dark hair was gathered in a smooth ponytail, and glasses in a thin frame sat on her nose. «Come in,» Leonard said, gesturing to the couch. «Sit down.»

Olivia timidly entered and sat on the edge of the couch, clutching her small bag. «So, you’re the housekeeper,» he began, scrutinizing her carefully. «What’s your experience?»

«I worked in a house for one family,» she answered quietly. «They had a large apartment.» «I cleaned, did laundry, cooked sometimes.»

Leonard nodded. Her modest appearance was reassuring. There was no hint of boldness or pretensions in her.

Everything about this girl screamed her readiness for simple, monotonous work. «Good,» he said. «Cleaning is needed every day.»

«Change the bed linen every two days.» «Special attention to dust.» «I have an allergy to it, so even on the bookshelves and in the corners, everything must be perfect.»

«At the end of cleaning, put on white socks and walk through all the rooms.» «If the socks stay clean, the job is done well.» «If not, wash the floors again.»

Olivia nodded but said nothing. «Is everything clear?» Leonard clarified, noticing her confusion. «Yes, of course, everything is clear,» she replied barely audibly.

When Olivia left, Leonard pondered. «Sarah did well.» «This definitely won’t cause problems.»

But despite her ideal appearance, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to check her. The next day, while Olivia was cleaning, he went into the office, installed a hidden camera, and thought. «If she’s really as modest as she looks, I’ll be at ease working with her.»

«But I still need to check.» Leonard wasn’t used to trusting people, especially those who made too perfect an impression. The next day, after Olivia left, Leonard headed to his office.

He carefully examined the safe standing in the corner. It was a small steel box where he kept cash and several important documents. The safe was for him not so much a necessity as a habit to demonstrate control over everything he had.

Leonard opened the safe and thoughtfully looked at the stacks of bills inside. He took one of them, pulled out several large bills, and tossed them into the most visible spot in the box. Then he left the safe slightly ajar, just enough for anyone to notice the money.

«Let’s see how honest she is,» he thought, closing the office door. In his head, this thought sounded like a challenge. Leonard was used to relying only on himself, and trusting someone new, even in such a simple matter as cleaning, was hard for him.

He recalled how often he had encountered deceit and cunning in business, and now this habit carried over even to trifles. Before leaving the office, he checked the installed hidden camera. Its lens was directed right at the safe and the adjacent desk.

Leonard opened his laptop, connected the camera, and made sure the recording was going. «If something happens, I’ll see it all,» he said to himself with light sarcasm. His next step was just as calculated.

Gathering things for another business trip, he called the driver and headed to the airport. Olivia was supposed to come clean even in his absence, and this was a perfect opportunity to test her. While riding in the car, his thoughts returned to recent events.

He chuckled: «If she’s really honest and modest, I’m lucky.» «And if not, well, then we’ll look further.» In his mind, the plan spun: if the recording showed that Olivia touched nothing, he would stop suspecting her.

And if she did, then everything would be clear. Two days later, Leonard returned to the city. The day turned out exhausting.

After the flight, he felt drained, but still couldn’t relax. As soon as he entered the apartment, his attention was immediately drawn to the ideal cleanliness. The floors shone like mirrors, there wasn’t a speck of dust on the glass surfaces.

Leonard involuntarily noted that Olivia was at least a good worker. Passing through the hallway, he caught a pleasant aroma—a mix of freshness and a light floral scent. Peeking into the bathroom, he found neatly arranged new hygiene products: shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel.

He wondered, since he hadn’t asked to buy anything. «Attentive,» he muttered under his breath, raising an eyebrow. This small observation made him think a bit.

However, he still couldn’t fully relax. His attention kept returning to the safe and the camera recording he had set up. Taking off his shoes, Leonard went into the office….

The safe and the money remained untouched, as he had left them, but that proved nothing yet. Sitting at the desk, he turned on the laptop connected to the surveillance camera and opened the saved recording. The image appeared on the screen.

Olivia entered the office in her black uniform. She began methodically wiping dust from the shelves and desk. Her movements were careful; she didn’t touch the safe and didn’t even look in its direction.

Leonard felt the tension inside him easing with every second of watching. «Looks like Sarah found a really good person,» he thought. But fast-forwarding the recording a bit, he noticed Olivia returning to the office already in her street clothes.

She stood in place and seemed to hesitate. This made Leonard tense up. He zoomed in the image to see better

«What is she doing?» he thought anxiously. Olivia approached the bookshelf, pulled out an old photo album, and started flipping through the pages. Then she quickly took out one photo, looked around, and hid it in her pocket.

Leonard froze. His hands clenched into fists, and anger reflected on his face. «So, after all…» he whispered.

When Leonard turned off the recording, a wave of rage swept over him. He leaned back in the chair, gritting his teeth and drumming his fingers on the armrest. Thoughts tangled in his head: why did Olivia need his photo?

Perhaps she was a journalist or paparazzi, deciding to get dirt by deception. «That’s why she’s so quiet and modest,» he said aloud with sarcasm. «Pretending to find out something.»

His suspicions only grew stronger. Leonard decided that the next day he would definitely call Olivia to him and demand explanations. Leonard sat at his desk and laid out the old photo album in front of him, the one he rarely opened.

His fingers slowly flipped through the pages. Each shot brought back memories of the past, which he had tried not to think about for many years. But now, knowing that one photo was missing, the memories flooded back.

He found the spot where the photo had been torn out. The empty corner of the album seemed to scream about the loss. Leonard clenched his jaw tightly.

He remembered that photo perfectly. On it, he was captured with a woman who once meant everything to him. Lydia.

The name rang in his head like a blow. Her image, long blurred by time, suddenly came alive. He recalled her laughing eyes, auburn curls that flowed so beautifully in the wind, and that day when he, still young and naive, was sure they would be together forever.

But everything went wrong. Leonard leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. The memories cut him like a knife.

Why did Olivia take exactly this photo? What could she be looking for? Maybe she worked for someone who wanted to dig up his past?

These thoughts only fueled his anger. «Enough,» he muttered, sharply closing the album. The decision came on its own.

He needed to call Olivia and demand explanations. Leonard took out his phone and called his secretary Sarah. «Sarah,» he said briefly when she answered.

«Contact Olivia and invite her to my office tomorrow morning.» «I need to talk to her.» «Of course, Mr. Sullivan, I’ll do it,» she replied, noticing the firmness in his voice.

Hanging up, Leonard looked at the album again. The empty spot reminded him of the time he had lost. He clenched his fist, promising himself that this time he would get answers.

The next morning Leonard arrived at the office a bit earlier than usual. He walked through the spacious lobby where his secretary Sarah was already preparing documents for upcoming meetings. «Sarah, is everything ready?» he asked, stopping by her desk.

«Yes, Mr. Sullivan.» «I contacted Olivia last evening.» «She said she’ll come at the appointed time,» Sarah reported, looking at him attentively.

«Excellent,» he replied briefly. «When she arrives, bring her straight to me.» Leonard went into the office, sat at the desk, and opened his laptop, trying to focus on work.

But his thoughts kept returning to the upcoming conversation. He couldn’t understand why a modest housekeeper needed that photo. The only explanation that came to mind was something dark: blackmail, dirt, journalistic investigation.

An hour later, there was a knock on the door. Sarah peeked into the office. «Mr. Sullivan, Olivia is here.»

«Let her in,» he said dryly, pushing the laptop aside. Olivia entered the office hesitantly, barely crossing the threshold. Her gaze was directed downward, as if she was afraid to meet his eyes.

She wore the same modest black skirt and light blouse. She looked as if she knew an unpleasant conversation awaited her. «Sit down,» Leonard said, pointing to the chair opposite.

Olivia sat, carefully placing her hands on her knees. Her fingers trembled slightly. «Do you know why I called you?» he asked sharply, not wasting time.

«Not really,» she answered quietly, but her voice betrayed anxiety. Leonard leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. «Fine, I’ll explain.»

«There was a camera installed in my office.» «And I saw what you did.» Olivia froze, her face turning pale.

«Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about,» she began, but her voice treacherously trembled. «You do,» Leonard interrupted her. «You took a photo from my album.»

«And now I want to know why.» Her eyes widened in surprise, and she whispered quietly: «The photo?»

Leonard leaned slightly closer to the desk, staring at Olivia intently. «Yes, the photo,» he confirmed, trying to speak calmly but firmly. «It was torn from the album.»

«And I saw you do it.» «So tell me, who do you work for.» «I don’t work for anyone,» Olivia said hastily, her voice sounding pleading.

«It’s a misunderstanding.» «A misunderstanding?» Leonard raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming sarcastic. «So you took it by accident?»

«Or was it for your collection of old photos?» Olivia lowered her gaze and fell silent. Her hands trembled as she clasped them on her knees.

«I didn’t steal anything except that photo,» she finally said. «And why did you need it?» Leonard persisted. He didn’t believe her.

Too often in his life people pretended to be innocent and then stabbed him in the back. He was ready to hear another excuse, but Olivia’s answer surprised him. «That’s my mother in the photo,» she whispered.

«What?» Leonard didn’t immediately understand what she said. «Repeat.» Olivia raised her eyes, and for the first time he noticed something in them he hadn’t seen before—pain.

«In that photo is my mom,» she repeated louder. «And next to her is you.» These words hit like thunder on a clear day.

Leonard froze, looking at her in bewilderment. «Your mother?» he asked again, not believing his ears. Olivia nodded, and tears appeared in her eyes.

«I found that photo while cleaning.» «And I took it because I wanted to know if what my mom told me was true.» Leonard looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

Her words sounded too unexpected to be true, but in her eyes he saw sincerity. «Who is your mother?» he exhaled, feeling something warm and painful creeping into his chest. «Lydia Sanders,» Olivia answered, wiping away tears.

«You knew her 20 years ago.» Leonard didn’t take his eyes off Olivia. Her words about her mother sounded so unexpected that he first thought he misheard…

«What did you say?» he asked again, leaning forward. Olivia nervously wrung her hands, as if gathering strength for the answer. She took a deep breath and said: «In that photo, you are with my mother.»

«Her name is Lydia Sanders.» «You knew her 20 years ago.» Leonard froze, as if time had stopped.

The name he had tried to forget all these years suddenly surfaced so sharply, as if from the depths of long-buried memory. Lydia. Her face instantly flashed in his mind.

Auburn curls, light eyes, and that smile that once made him the happiest man on earth. «Lydia,» he repeated quietly. «You mean she’s… your mother?»

Olivia nodded, avoiding his gaze. «Yes.» «Mom always said my father died.»

«But one day I found her diary.» «She wrote that she loved you, that you were going to get married.» «And then you disappeared.»

«I didn’t know how to find you for a long time.» «But then I saw your photos in a magazine.» «And when I got the job here, I realized it was my chance.»

Leonard fell silent. He didn’t know what to say. Olivia’s words sounded so strange that he tried to find a catch in them.

But instead, he saw only her sincere eyes, full of pain and hope. «You mean…» he couldn’t finish the sentence. «I’m your daughter,» Olivia finally said, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

These words stunned him. It seemed to him that he was hearing something impossible. He tried to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.

He had to stand up from the desk and pace the office to comprehend what he heard. «How is this possible?» he finally exhaled. «Why didn’t your mother tell me anything?»

«Why did she hide it?» Olivia raised her head and answered with bitterness: «She said you left her.» «That you got scared of responsibility and just left.»

These words struck Leonard like lightning. He froze and looked at Olivia with pain. «That’s not true,» he said firmly.

«I didn’t leave her.» «I loved your mother.» But then something happened.

He broke off, realizing he couldn’t gather his thoughts. Olivia looked at Leonard, seeing his confusion. She decided to tell more.

«You know, when I was little, I always wanted to know who my father was.» «Mom didn’t like talking about it, but I felt she was hiding something important.» «I dreamed of seeing you at least once.»

«I wanted to understand what kind of person you are, why you left us.» She fell silent, wiping away tears. Leonard felt for the first time that behind this girl hid much more than he assumed.

He sat back at the desk and looked her straight in the eyes. «You think I abandoned your family?» he asked, trying to stay calm. Olivia nodded.

«Mom said so.» «But I see you’re not like I imagined you.» «I don’t know what to think.»

«But I want to know the truth.» Leonard felt his confidence waver. There was no hostility in her voice, only a sincere desire to understand what happened.

He sighed heavily. «Listen, I don’t know what your mother told you, but we were really happy.» «Up to a certain point.»

«Then…» he fell silent. «Something went wrong.» «But I would never have left her if I knew about you.»

These words were true. For the first time in many years, Leonard felt his mask of a cold, calculating person cracking. He wanted to figure out what happened back then, twenty years ago.

«We need to find out the truth,» he said finally. «We must talk to your mother.» Olivia froze, as if frightened by his words.

«I don’t know how she’ll react,» she whispered. «She doesn’t know I got a job with you.» «It doesn’t matter,» Leonard answered firmly.

«If she once loved me, she’ll listen.» They sat in silence, pondering what to do next. Finally, Leonard broke the silence.

«Where does your mother live?» Olivia looked at him with anxiety. «In the suburbs.»

«She works remotely, hardly leaves the house.» Leonard stood up from the desk and said firmly: «We must talk to her.» «If this is really true, I want to know why everything happened this way.»

Olivia hesitated. Her eyes expressed fear. «I’m not sure.»

«She always said you were a coward and a scoundrel.» «She doesn’t want to remember the past.» These words hurt Leonard, but he held back.

«All the more reason we need to talk,» he said. «I want to hear it from her personally.» After a short pause, Olivia nodded.

«Okay.» «But please, don’t pressure her.» Leonard nodded briefly.

«Agreed.» «We’ll go tomorrow morning.» The next day, gathering his thoughts, Leonard and Olivia got into the car.

The whole way they hardly spoke. Leonard looked out the window, and Olivia nervously fiddled with the strap of her bag. The tension in the air was almost tangible.

When the car stopped at a small house, Olivia timidly said: «This is it.» Leonard took a deep breath and got out of the car. He was about to learn the truth that could change everything.

Leonard sat in the back seat of the car, gazing at the landscapes flashing by the window. He looked composed, but inside him emotions raged. Olivia sat next to him, clutching her bag tightly.

Her face showed concern, and in the silence of the car, tension was felt. «She… She might not be glad to see us,» Olivia said unexpectedly, breaking the silence. Leonard, without turning his head, replied: «It doesn’t matter.»

«We need to hear the truth.» «And it’s better if we do it now.» They drove the rest of the way in silence.

From time to time, Olivia nervously adjusted her hair, and Leonard thought about how much his life had changed in recent days. He wasn’t ready to face the past, but he had no choice. When the car stopped at a small cozy house, Leonard involuntarily noticed its well-kept appearance.

A small garden in front of the house was neatly trimmed, flowers bloomed in the flowerbed, and an old but sturdy wooden chair stood on the porch. «This is it,» Olivia said quietly, pointing to the house. Leonard nodded.

Determination was in his gaze. «Let’s go,» he replied, getting out of the car. Olivia nodded, took keys from her bag, and, gathering courage, headed to the door.

Olivia slowly opened the door with the key and called: «Mom, it’s me.» «We have a guest.» From the depths of the house came a calm voice: «Olivia.»

«Who is with you?» A few seconds later, a woman appeared in the doorway. She looked younger than her years.

Her auburn hair was neatly gathered, she wore a green dress and a light cardigan. Leonard recognized her immediately. Lydia.

She was still the same as he remembered her, though the years had slightly changed her face. When her gaze fell on Leonard, her eyes widened in shock. She involuntarily covered her mouth with her hand, unable to say a word.

For a few moments, silence reigned in the house. «Hello, Lydia,» Leonard said quietly, trying to stay calm. Lydia looked at him as if he were a ghost from the past.

She shifted her gaze to Olivia, then back to Leonard. «What? What are you doing here?» she finally squeezed out, her voice trembling.

«I came to talk,» Leonard replied. «We need to discuss what was left unsaid.» Lydia took a sharp breath, trying to cope with the surging emotions.

«Come into the living room,» she said, turning around. Leonard and Olivia followed her. The living room was cozy: an old sofa, a small table, books on shelves

Lydia gestured for them to sit, remaining standing herself, crossing her arms over her chest. «Speak, why are you here,» she said, looking straight at Leonard. Leonard sat on the sofa, and Olivia sat next to him, clearly feeling uncomfortable.

Lydia remained standing, as if there was an invisible wall between them. «I came to learn the truth,» Leonard began, looking straight at Lydia. «Olivia told me I’m her father.»

«But I don’t understand why you never told me about it?» Lydia looked at him with a cold gaze. «Why should I have told you anything?» she replied sharply.

«You disappeared yourself.» «You left me.» Her words were like a knife to the heart.

Leonard frowned, trying to stay calm. «I didn’t leave you,» he said firmly. «I called you, wrote.»

«You didn’t answer.» «And then?» «Then I got a message that you found someone else.»

Lydia shook her head, her face expressing a mix of bitterness and bewilderment. «A message? What message?» she asked.

Leonard opened his mouth to answer, but at that moment Olivia stood up. «I’ll leave you to talk,» she said quietly and left the room, leaving them alone. Lydia continued to look at Leonard, her eyes burning with anger and pain.

«So what do you want?» she asked, quieter now. «I want to know the truth,» he replied. «If I’m really Olivia’s father, why didn’t I know about her?»

«Why did you do that?» Lydia sighed heavily, sank into the chair opposite, and stared at the floor. A few seconds of tense silence hung in the room.

Finally, she raised her eyes and said quietly: «Leonard, I never sent you any messages.» «Moreover, I called you several times, but you didn’t answer.» Leonard raised an eyebrow in surprise.

«That’s impossible,» he said. «I received a message from you saying you had someone.» «After that, I tried to call, but your number was blocked.»

«Blocked?» Lydia asked again. «That’s impossible.» «I didn’t do anything like that.

She fell silent, then, as if remembering something, clutched her head. «Wait.» «Once my phone went missing.»

«I searched for it all day, then found it under the pillow.» «It was so strange.» Leonard leaned closer.

«And you didn’t check calls or messages?» «I did,» she replied. «But there was nothing there.»

«I thought you just disappeared.» Suddenly Lydia frowned. «Wait.»

«Fiona,» she whispered. «Who is Fiona?» Leonard asked. «My younger sister,» Lydia answered with bitterness.

«She was always against our marriage.» «She was jealous of me toward you.» «I… I wouldn’t be surprised if she did something.»

Leonard felt something inside him flip. Everything in his head was forming into a strange but logical puzzle. «You think she could have sent that message?» he asked.

Lydia only nodded, and her face darkened. «If that’s true, she ruined everything.» «And I… I just didn’t know who to believe.»

Leonard ran his hand over his face, feeling anger and disappointment overwhelming him. He looked at Lydia, trying to find words to express what was happening inside him. «This changes everything,» he said finally.

«We need to figure it out, but I know one thing: I don’t want to lose what’s left.» Lydia was silent, staring at one spot on the carpet. Her face expressed a mix of pain and regret.

Finally, she raised her eyes to Leonard. «Fiona was always a difficult person,» she began, carefully choosing words. «She’s five years younger than me.»

«When we were kids, she often jealous of me to everyone: parents, friends, and then to you.» Leonard frowned. «Jealous?» he asked again.

«Why?» Lydia shrugged slightly. «She always felt like I got more attention.»

«And when I started dating you, she… became different.» «She said you were taking me away from her.» «She was angry that I spent more time with you than with the family.»

Leonard listened attentively, piecing together the puzzle. Now everything was starting to fall into place. «And you think she could have taken your phone and sent that message?» he asked.

Lydia nodded. «It’s totally in her nature.» «She always did everything to ruin my relationships.»

«She liked it when I was unhappy.» «She was… selfish.» «But despite that, I loved her.»

«She is my sister after all.» She sighed and continued. «After that incident with the phone, we had a serious fight.»

«I didn’t know what exactly happened then, but she said I was spending too much time on you and that you’d leave me.» «We quarreled, and a few weeks later she ran away from home.» «Parents tried to find her, but unsuccessfully.»

Lydia closed her eyes, as if trying to drive away memories. «Since then, I haven’t heard anything about her.» «She just disappeared.»

«And now I think: if I had understood what she did back then, everything could have been different.» Leonard sighed heavily. Anger at Fiona boiled in him, but he understood it wouldn’t change anything now.

«She ruined everything,» he said finally. «But we can’t change the past.» «The only thing I can do is try to fix what can still be fixed.»

Lydia raised her gaze to him, which showed sadness and fatigue. «I want that too,» she said quietly. «For Olivia.»

«She deserves to know she has a father.» Lydia and Leonard sat in silence. In the room hung a sense of heaviness from all the revealed secrets, but along with it came something new—a faint hope that things could still change.

Lydia was the first to break the silence. «Remember how we walked along the waterfront?» she asked with a slight smile. «You always brought those awful lollipops.»

«I couldn’t stand them, but you treated me as if they were the most delicious thing in the world.» Leonard laughed, sincerely for the first time in a long time. «Of course I remember.»

«They were my favorites.» «And I remember how you always quietly threw them away, thinking I didn’t notice.» Lydia smiled too, though tears stood in her eyes.

«You were completely different,» she said quietly. «So simple, sincere.» «And I loved you so much.»

Leonard leaned forward, lowering his head. «I loved you too, Lydia.» «And I never wanted it to end like this.»

«I thought you betrayed me.» She reached for his hand, lightly touching it. «We both suffered.»

«But now we have a chance to fix everything.» «Not for us, but for Olivia.» Leonard looked into her eyes and nodded.

«For her.» «But I hope that… Maybe we can fix things too.» Lydia didn’t answer, but her gaze became softer.

She understood that the wounds of the past couldn’t be healed so easily, but deep down she wanted to believe in the best. «Let’s start small,» she said. «Let’s make sure Olivia feels she has a family.»

«A real family.» Leonard smiled. It was hard, but he knew he would do everything to make it work.

After the frank conversation with Lydia, Leonard couldn’t shake the feeling that he had missed the most important thing in his life. He sat on the sofa in her living room, examining old photos on the shelf. Each of them seemed to tell him what he had deprived himself and his family of.

He took a deep breath and turned to Lydia. «I missed a lot, Lydia.» «But I want to fix everything,» his voice sounded firm, but pain was in his eyes…

Lydia, still feeling the burden of the past, crossed her arms over her chest. She was afraid to open her heart again to the man who had once been part of her pain. But she saw something in his eyes that didn’t let her reject him.

«And how are you going to do that?» she asked quietly, not hiding her wariness. Leonard looked at Olivia, who sat nearby and didn’t take her eyes off him. «I want us to try to start over.»

«For Olivia, for us.» «I know we can’t bring back the past, but I’m ready to do everything to build our future.» Lydia pondered.

She couldn’t just forget everything that happened. But deep down she knew she couldn’t continue living in resentment. «It won’t be easy,» she said finally.

«But I agree to try.» Leonard turned to Olivia and squeezed her hand. «Olivia,» he said softly, «I know I was away all these years.»

«But I want to be your father, if you’ll let me.» Olivia held back tears, but they still treacherously flowed down her cheeks. «I’ve dreamed of this all my life,» she said quietly.

Leonard felt for the first time that he was taking the right step. And he was ready not to stop. When Olivia returned to the living room, she immediately noticed that the atmosphere had changed.

Mother and father no longer looked like strangers sitting opposite each other. Their faces expressed peace and hope. Leonard raised his eyes when Olivia entered and gestured for her to come closer.

She sat next to him, feeling a bit unsure. Leonard took her hand. «Olivia,» he began, looking into her eyes.

«Forgive me for not being in your life.» «For missing all the most important things.» «But I want to be there.»

«And I promise I won’t let you down anymore.» Olivia lowered her gaze, then looked at him, barely holding back tears. «Thank you for finding me,» she said quietly.

These words shook Leonard. He felt for the first time that her simple «thank you» meant more to him than any business successes. In this moment, he understood that he really had something to live for.

Lydia watched this scene without interfering. She saw how her daughter, who had felt lonely for so long, found her father. Her heart filled with warmth and quiet joy.

She allowed herself to smile for the first time in a long time. Later in the evening over a cup of tea, Lydia decided to tell Olivia how she and Leonard met. These were warm, almost fairy-tale memories that she kept in her heart.

«We met by chance,» Lydia began, looking at her daughter. «He was young and so determined.» «Then I immediately understood there was something special in him.»

Leonard grinned. «Yeah, I was too naive back then.» «I remember how long I prepared for our first date.»

«And you laughed at me when I came in too formal a suit.» Olivia listened, holding her breath. For her, these stories were something new, like pieces of a puzzle she had lacked so much.

She understood for the first time that her parents really loved each other. Lydia took a box of old photos from the cabinet. Among them were shots from the beginning of their relationship.

In one of them, Leonard held Lydia’s hand, and both looked absolutely happy. «I kept these photos as a reminder of what we had,» Lydia said, handing the box to Olivia. Olivia carefully flipped through the photos, feeling the past becoming part of her present.

The next day, when they sat at breakfast, Leonard raised an important question. «I want to suggest that both of you move in with me,» he began, looking at Lydia and Olivia. «We’ve missed so much time, and I want to make up for it.»

«Together.» Olivia looked surprised. It was hard for her to imagine how they could live together, but the idea seemed appealing to her.

«I’m not sure.» «It’s too big a change,» she said hesitantly. Lydia looked at her daughter and said softly: «Olivia, we should try.»

«This is our chance to become a family.» Leonard added: «We’ll move slowly.» «Without pressure.»

«I just want us to have a chance to build something real.» After a short pause, Olivia smiled. «Okay.»

«But only if we do it gradually.» They agreed to discuss details, such as school for Olivia and new work, to make this transition as comfortable as possible. When the day came for Leonard to return home to prepare everything for the move, the atmosphere in Lydia’s house was warm and a bit sad.

Lydia saw him to the door, and they lingered in the hallway. «Thank you for deciding to fix everything,» she said, holding back tears. «I didn’t expect we’d have a second chance.»

Leonard took her hands. «I’ll never let you down again,» he replied. His voice was firm and confident.

Olivia approached him and unexpectedly hugged him. «Thank you, Dad,» she said quietly. These words deeply touched Leonard.

He felt they meant more than just forgiveness. Leaving, he knew there would be a lot of work ahead, but for the first time in many years, he felt he had a real purpose. Now he had a family, and he would do everything not to lose it again.

Leonard returned to his spacious penthouse, which he had always considered the ideal place to live. But now, walking through the empty rooms, he suddenly realized how cold and lifeless this house was. Snow-white walls, perfectly arranged furniture—everything looked sterile, like a hotel.

For the first time in a long time, he felt that a home should not just be a place for sleep and work, but a place where it would be cozy and warm for those he loves. He decided to transform the apartment for Lydia and Olivia’s move. Leonard went to a furniture store to choose a room for Olivia.

Her passion for drawing and books inspired him in his choice. He bought a large drawing table, a soft chair, and shelves for books. In her room appeared warm blankets, paintings with nature motifs, and watercolor paints.

For Lydia, he selected details that could remind her of home: an elegant tea set, soft pillows in her favorite pastel tones, and a blanket similar to the one she loved before. Leonard wanted everything to remind her of care. The next day he called Lydia…

«Lydia, if you need help with things, say so.» «I’ll send a car or come myself,» he offered. «We’ll manage,» she replied, but Leonard interrupted: «I can’t let you do this alone.»

«There are many changes ahead.» «This is my duty,» Leonard said firmly. Lydia, feeling in his voice a sincere desire to help, agreed after a short pause.

«Okay.» «Then send the car tomorrow morning.» In the morning, Leonard sent a spacious SUV with a driver so they could comfortably transport all their things.

He was nervous, waiting at home. He wanted them to feel welcome in this new space for them. Before their arrival, Leonard checked the rooms again, straightened books on shelves, and made sure everything was ready in the kitchen for the meeting.

He even bought fresh flowers to put in the living room. It was a trifle, but it seemed important to him. When he heard the front door slam, his heart skipped a beat slightly.

The moment he had been waiting for with slight excitement was coming. Lydia and Olivia entered the penthouse, and their first emotions were a mix of surprise and delight. The apartment, which once seemed cold, now looked homey and cozy.

«This is…» «Just incredible,» Lydia said, looking around. «You did a huge job.» Olivia, entering her room, froze in place.

On the table lay new watercolor paints, books stood on shelves, and a cozy chair was nearby. «Is this all for me?» she asked in surprise, turning to Leonard. «Of course,» he replied with a slight smile.

«I want you to feel at home here.» Olivia approached the table, ran her fingers over the new paints, and said, not hiding emotions: «Thank you, Dad.» Leonard felt his heart fill with warmth.

These words, said with such sincerity, meant more to him than he could express. Lydia, meanwhile, went into her room. Her attention was drawn to the tea set, which she immediately recognized.

«You even remembered this,» she said, turning to Leonard. «You exceeded all my expectations.» He just shrugged, trying to hide embarrassment.

«I just wanted you to feel comfortable.» Lydia looked at him with gratitude, a warm smile in her eyes. She felt he was really trying.

In the evening, Leonard suggested celebrating the move with a family dinner. He ordered dishes from a restaurant but added some homey details: bread baked specially for him and Olivia’s favorite sweets. Gathering at the table, they felt a bit awkward, but gradually the tension disappeared.

Olivia was the first to break the silence: «I want to go to university,» she said, looking at her parents. «But I’m not sure yet what I want to be.» Leonard nodded, encouraging her.

«You have time to think.» «And remember, I’ll always help you with this, whatever you choose.» Lydia, sipping tea, began to talk about how hard it was to raise Olivia alone.

«Sometimes it seemed I couldn’t cope,» she confessed. «But now that you’re here, Leonard, I feel we can cope together.» Her words touched Leonard to the depths of his soul.

He understood how hard it had been for her all these years and felt guilty for not being there. «I promise,» he said, looking at Lydia. «From now on, you’ll never be alone.»

These words created a special atmosphere of warmth in the house. They felt like a real family for the first time in many years. The next day Leonard returned to the office.

He entered the building with an unusual lightness for him. His secretary Sarah immediately noticed the changes. «Mr. Sullivan, you look different today.»

«Has something happened?» she asked with a smile. Leonard pondered for a moment, then replied: «Yes, Sarah.»

«I have a daughter.» The secretary froze, not immediately understanding what he said. «A daughter? That’s amazing news.»

«Congratulations!» she said sincerely. Leonard smiled

He was pleased that Sarah reacted with such warmth. At lunchtime, he sat in his office, reflecting. Work used to be everything for him.

He devoted all his strength to it, thinking it replaced everything else. But now he understood that family is the most important. Everything else simply doesn’t make sense without those who love you and whom you love.

Leonard decided he would take a few days off to spend more time with Lydia and Olivia. Work could wait, and he didn’t want to miss moments that could never be returned. One weekend, Leonard suggested Olivia go for a walk in the park.

She gladly agreed. They walked along the paths, listening to birds singing and talking. «You know,» Olivia said, looking at the pond, «I always felt incomplete because I didn’t have a father.»

«But now… I’m glad you’re here.» Leonard looked at her with a warm smile. «I regret not being with you from the beginning.»

«But now I’ll do everything so you don’t feel lonely.» They discussed her hobbies, dreams, plans for the future. Leonard talked about his childhood and shared advice.

When they were returning home, Olivia suddenly stopped and said: «Thank you, Dad.» These words touched Leonard to the depths of his soul. He understood that his efforts were not in vain.

Late in the evening, Leonard took out that very photo that Olivia had taken from the album. He invited Lydia and Olivia to the living room. «This was one of the best moments in my life,» he said, showing the photo.

«Then I was truly happy.» Lydia took the photo in her hands and smiled. «It was the happiest day for me too.»

«I thought it would never repeat.» «But now we have a chance.» They agreed to keep the photo as a symbol of their new beginning.

Several weeks of living together passed. Relationships in the family were becoming stronger. Lydia and Olivia began to trust Leonard, and he did everything to show he would never let them down again.

In the final scene, Leonard hugged Lydia and Olivia, looking at their happy faces. «I’ll never lose you again,» he said, feeling that now his life had gained true meaning. And for the first time in many years, he allowed himself to dream about the future, knowing that now in his life there was a family worth living for.