The millionaire took pity on the beautiful homeless girl and hired her as a caregiver for his disabled father…
To the person who returned my daughter and life’s meaning. To Veronica. All supported the toast, and Veronica smiled embarrassed.
I just did what I thought right. And that’s what makes you special, Ethan said quietly, looking into her eyes with undisguised admiration. At that moment, Veronica realized her life had truly changed forever.
From a homeless, desperate woman, she turned into someone with a home, family, and perhaps love. Shadows of the past receded, giving way to bright light of the present and hope for a happy future. A year passed.
The Sinclair mansion, always luxurious, looked especially festive today. Flower garlands adorned columns, musicians tuned instruments in the garden, waiters bustled among guests with trays of champagne and appetizers. Veronica stood at her room window—that same blue guest room that over the year became truly her own.
She examined her reflection in the mirror: elegant cream dress accentuated her figure, hair in an exquisite updo, necklace on her neck—a gift from Ethan for the engagement. Yes, they got engaged three months ago, when the trial of Grayson and Markham ended. Both received long prison terms—20 and 15 years respectively.
Catherine was the main prosecution witness, and her testimony, along with the recording of confessions and documents from her laptop, were decisive in the case. A quiet knock at the door. «Come in,» Veronica called.
On the threshold appeared Catherine—beautiful, self-assured young woman, so unlike the exhausted captive they freed a year ago. «Ready?» she asked with a smile. Guests are gathered, and dad is nervous as if he’s giving the speech today.
Veronica laughed. «Coming. Just…
Wanted a minute alone to reflect on everything that’s happened this year.» «I understand,» Catherine nodded. «Sometimes it seems like a dream to me too.
That I’ll wake up in that hunting cabin or the clinic.» «It’s not a dream,» Veronica said softly, approaching the girl and hugging her. «It’s real.
And it’s wonderful.» They descended to the garden, where guests were assembled: friends, colleagues, business partners. Today wasn’t just Constantine’s birthday, who to everyone’s joy almost fully recovered from the stroke.
Today also officially announced Ethan and Veronica’s engagement and Catherine’s appointment as vice-president of Sinclair Construction. Ethan, seeing Veronica, immediately approached her. «You’re beautiful,» he said, kissing her hand.
«Ready for the formal announcement.» Quite, she smiled. «Though I still can’t believe this is happening to me.»
«Believe,» Sinclair said seriously. «You deserve this and more.» Constantine, for the occasion forgoing his cane, approached them.
«Young folks, time to start the official part. Guests are waiting.» Ethan nodded and ascended the small stage set in the garden.
Guests quieted, awaiting his speech. «Friends,» Sinclair began.
«Today we have a triple celebration. First, my father’s birthday, Constantine Sinclair, the man to whom I owe everything I have.» He raised his glass toward his father, and guests supported with applause.
«Second, today my daughter Catherine officially assumes the position of vice-president at Sinclair Construction. I always knew she’d one day lead our business, and this day brings that closer.» New applause.
«And finally, most important to me personally. Today I officially announce my engagement to the most amazing woman I’ve met—to Veronica Benson.» He extended his hand, and Veronica joined him on stage.
Guests applauded even louder. «A year ago,» Sinclair continued, «this woman changed my life. She returned my daughter when all thought her dead.
She breathed new life into this home and my heart. And today I’m happy to announce that in a month, she’ll become my wife.» He kissed Veronica to the approving cheers of guests.
Constantine, moved to tears, hugged them both, then the joining Catherine. «Family together again,» the old man said quietly. «I couldn’t wish for greater happiness.»
Later, when the official part ended and guests scattered through the garden enjoying the fine summer evening, Veronica stepped to a quiet corner to rest a bit from noise and congratulations. Catherine approached with a champagne glass. «Here, take.
You need it.» «Thanks,» Veronica smiled, accepting the glass. «How do you feel? Not tired from attention?» «A little,» Catherine admitted.
«But I’m happy. Happy for dad, for grandpa, for you. For all of us.
We went through real hell and came out stronger than before. True?» Veronica agreed. «You know, sometimes I think all that happened was some strange, twisted gift of fate.
If I hadn’t been fired from the clinic, if I hadn’t ended up on the street, if your father hadn’t offered me the job… I’d never have met you, met him. Never found a new family.»
Fate works in strange ways, Catherine philosophized. But ultimately, everything falls into place as it should. They fell silent, watching the celebrating guests.
Ethan was animatedly discussing something with a group of business partners, but his gaze kept returning to Veronica, as if assuring himself she’s still here, real. «He loves you very much,» Catherine said, following Veronica’s gaze. «I’ve never seen him so happy, even before all this.»
I love him too, Veronica replied simply. «And you, and your grandfather. You’ve become my family…
