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…
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…
