*Woman gave $30 to a street girl. 12 years later, a millionaire rang her doorbell

Howard’s status had not changed in hours. Mommy, where’s daddy? Is he sick? Ashley inquired. It’s nothing, my love.

He’ll be back soon, you’ll see. How about we go to the park for some ice cream when he gets out? Her mother comforted her young daughter. Sienna had no idea what would happen, but she believed Howard was too young and healthy to have heart problems.

She could only hope that he would feel better soon and that the doctors would find the source of his discomfort. Two hours later, there was an emergency at the hospital. Nurses and even the doctor attending to Howard’s case rushed down the hall.

Sienna’s heart nearly jumped out of her mouth, but she didn’t want to worry Ashley. It had been the scariest 30 minutes of her life. She kept her gaze fixed on the corridor, hoping for good news.

Sienna’s world fell apart when the doctor arrived. The medical team had tried in vain to resuscitate him. Howard died from a second, far more severe heart attack than the first.

I am sorry, the doctor said. Let’s prepare the body now, he said. Those words echoed in Sienna’s head like a nightmare.

She didn’t want to believe it, but she also wanted to scream. She had no choice but to bend down and hug her daughter tightly. Mommy, is daddy not well? Ashley inquired.

The woman was at a loss for words because she couldn’t believe what had just happened. So she just cried until the tears soaked the child’s clothes. Ashley must have been affected by what happened because she cried as well.

Sienna kept her spirits up after Howard died. She and Ashley missed Howard, but she knew she had to be strong and keep everything under control. Sienna began working longer hours at the refrigeration plant to meet her responsibilities.

Her co-workers were aware that she was going through some difficulties and they admired her tenacity. Sienna was determined that her daughter would not lack anything. On the other hand, the extra two or three hours of work each day was exhausting and the reward was hardly worth it, primarily because it reduced the amount of time she could spend with Ashley.

Despite the extra hours she was given, it almost didn’t make up for the time she lost with her daughter. But Sienna was powerless to intervene. She hoped for a raise or a promotion, but neither had happened yet.

On her way into the subway to work one morning, a thin, pale girl ran into Sienna. She appeared ill and terrified. I apologize, ma’am.

I haven’t eaten since yesterday. Could you please give me some change? said the child. She spoke quickly and softly, most likely because she was embarrassed by what she was doing.

Sienna looked around for the girl’s mother or father, but she appeared to be alone. Everyone in the carriage went about their business, completely oblivious to the starving child in front of them. She watched the girl as she rest her arms on her stomach.

Poor thing, Sienna thought. He must be in terrible pain from being so hungry. It was impossible not to notice the girl and imagine that it was her own daughter in that situation…