The rain lashed against the glass roof of Julian Whitmores sprawling estate just outside London. Inside, the billionaire stood by the crackling fireplace, a mug of black tea in hand, his gaze lost in the dancing flames. Wealth had filled his life with luxurybut not with peace.
A sharp knock shattered the silence.
Julian frowned. He wasnt expecting anyone. His staff had the day off, and visitors were rare. Setting the mug down, he strode to the front door and pulled it open.
There stood a woman, drenched, clutching a little girl no older than two. Her clothes were thin and worn, her eyes hollow with exhaustion. The child clung to her jumper, watching silently.
“Sorry to bother you, sir,” the woman said, her voice trembling. “I havent eaten in two days. If you let me clean your house, I just need a meal for me and my daughter.”
Julian froze.
Not out of pityout of shock.
“Emma?” he whispered.
She looked up, disbelief etching her face. “Julian?”
Time seemed to fold in on itself.
Seven years ago, shed vanishedno warning, no goodbye, just gone.
He stepped back, his pulse racing. The last memory he had of Emma Hart was her in a summer dress, barefoot in his garden, laughing as if nothing could touch her.
Now she stood before him, fragile and frayed.
“Where have you been?” he demanded, voice tight.
“I didnt come for a reunion,” she said, voice breaking. “I just need food. Then Ill leave.”
His gaze dropped to the girl. Curly blonde hair, bright blue eyesthe same as her mothers.
“Is she mine?” he asked softly.
Emma looked away, silent.
Julian stepped aside. “Come in.”
Inside, warmth enveloped them. Emma hovered awkwardly on the marble floor, rainwater pooling around her, as Julian instructed the cook to prepare a meal.
“You still have staff?” she murmured.
“Of course,” he replied, an edge in his voice. “I have everything except answers.”
The girl reached for a bowl of strawberries and whispered timidly, “Fank you.”
Julian smiled faintly. “Whats her name?”
“Lily,” Emma breathed.
The name hit him like a blow.
Lilythe name theyd once dreamed of for a daughter, when their world was whole.
Julian sank into a chair. “Start talking. Why did you leave?”
Emma hesitated, then sat across from him, arms wrapped protectively around Lily.
“I found out I was pregnant the same week your company went public,” she said. “You were working nonstop. I didnt want to be a burden.”
“That was my choice,” he snapped.
“I know,” she whispered, tears glistening. “Then I found out I had cancer.”
His heart dropped.
Stage two. They didnt know if Id survive. I didnt want you choosing between your company and a dying girlfriend. So I left. Gave birth alone. Fought chemo alone. And lived.”
He was speechlessrage and grief tangled in his chest.
“You didnt trust me enough to let me help you?” he finally asked.
Emmas eyes brimmed with tears. “I didnt trust myself to survive.”
Lily tugged her mothers sleeve. “Mummy, sleepy.”
Julian crouched down. “Want to nap in a warm bed?”
The girl nodded.
He met Emmas eyes. “Youre not leaving tonight. The guest room is ready.”
“I cant stay,” she said quickly.
“Yes, you can,” he said firmly. “Youre not just anyone. Youre the mother of my child.”
She stiffened. “So you believe shes yours?”
“I dont need a test. I see it in her.”
That night, after Lily fell asleep upstairs, Julian stood on the balcony, staring at the stormy sky. Emma joined him, wrapped in a borrowed dressing gown.
“I never meant to ruin your life,” she said.
“You didnt,” he replied quietly. “You just erased yourself from it.”
Silence stretched between them.
“Im not asking for anything,” Emma said. “I was desperate.”
Julian turned to her. “You were the only woman I ever loved. You left without letting me fight for you.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I still love you,” she whispered. “Even if you hate me.”
He didnt answer. Instead, he looked toward the window where Lily slept, safe and warm.
Finally, he said, “Stay. At least until we figure out what comes next.”
Morning light filtered softly through the clouds, bathing the estate in gold. For the first time in years, it didnt feel empty.
Downstairs, Julian scrambled eggsa rarityin a kitchen rich with the scent of butter and toast. Soft footsteps sounded behind him.
Emma stood in the doorway, holding Lilys hand. The girl wore clean pyjamas, her hair neatly brushed.
“You cook now?” Emma smiled weakly.
“Trying,” Julian said, handing Lily a plate. “For her.”
Lily settled into a chair, eating as if she hadnt had a decent meal in ages.
“She likes you,” Emma murmured.
Julian met her gaze. “Shes easy to love.”
In the days that followed, an uneasy rhythm settled. Emma kept her distance, unsure if this was real or fleeting. Julian watched every glance, every small gesture, as if trying to reclaim lost years.
But not everyone welcomed them.
One afternoon, Julian returned from a meeting to find his assistant, Charlotte, waiting.
“Youve got a woman and child living here now?” she asked, arms crossed.
“Yes,” he said. “Thats Emma and her daughter.”
“Your daughter?”
He nodded.
Charlotte frowned. “The boards asking questions.”
“Let them,” Julian said coldly. “Family doesnt need their approval.”
The word felt strange on his tonguebut right.
That evening, Emma sat in the garden, watching Lily chase butterflies.
Julian brought two cups of tea. “You always loved sunsets.”
“It was the only time the world was quiet.”
He took a sip. “Why didnt you come back after the cancer was gone?”
She looked away. “I thought I didnt belong in your world anymore. Youd become untouchable. Famous. Powerful.”
He leaned closer. “I was lonely.”
She said nothing.
“You could have returned.”
“I was afraid you wouldnt forgive me.”
Julian stepped back, hands in his pockets. “And now?”
Emma swallowed. “I dont know if you can.”
“I dont want revenge. I want to be the man she needs.”
“She needs a father. Not a CEO,” Emma whispered.
“Then thats what Ill be.”
The next day, as Julian took a call, the doorbell rang.
Emma opened it to find his mother, Eleanor Whitmorestiff, cold, and imposing.
“So youre back.”
“Hello, Eleanor,” Emma said carefully.
“Youve got nerve. Julians been falling apart since you left.”
Emma stepped aside. “Please, come in.”
Eleanor swept past, disdain in her eyes.
“Youre not staying, are you?”
“I didnt plan to. But now I dont know.”
“You think having a child makes you family again?”
“I never stopped being family. Lily is Julians daughter.”
Eleanor scoffed. “Or is this a scheme for his fortune?”
Emmas voice hardened. “Then you never knew me at all.”
Julian arrived, sensing the tension.
“Whats going on?”
“Just a family reunion,” Eleanor said sweetly.
Julian eyed Emma, suspicion flickering. She shook her head.
Later, Emma packed her bags.
Julian found her in the hallway. “What are you doing?”
“I cant stay. Your mother”
“Let me guess. She thinks youre here for money?”
Emma nodded. “I dont want trouble.”
Julian took her wrist gently. “Youre not leaving because of her.”
“You dont understand.”
“No, you dont. I want you here. Lily needs you. No ones throwing you out. Not even my mother.”
Her lip trembled. “Youd go against your family?”
“You are my family,” he said. “You always have been.”
Tears fell, but this time, she didnt pull away.
Weeks turned to months.
Julian traveled less, learning to braid Lilys hair instead of crafting boardroom strategies. Emma found peace in a house that once felt like a cage. Lilys laughter filled the halls.
One Sunday, under the oak tree, Julian knelt, a velvet box in his hand.
“Julian”
“I lost you once. I wont make that mistake again.”
Tears streamed down Emmas face as Lily clapped, oblivious.
“Yes,” Emma whispered. “Yes.”
