The same shape.
The same place.
The same unmistakable mark.
“No…” he breathed, his voice hollow.
Nearby, a few people began to notice.
“Wait… isn’t that Ethan Carter?” someone whispered.
“The billionaire?” another murmured.
Lily swallowed.
“Dad… you told me your mother had that same mark… It’s the only thing you remember about her…”
Ethan didn’t respond.
He couldn’t.
His eyes were locked on the woman, as if blinking might erase her.
The woman looked up slowly.
Her eyes were cloudy with age.
Her face lined with years of hardship.
To her, Ethan was just another well-dressed stranger.
But he didn’t walk away.
He stepped closer.
Slowly. Carefully.
Like he was stepping into a memory he wasn’t sure was real.
Lily stayed beside him, watching his face—fear and hope tangled together.
“Why is he stopping?” someone whispered.
“She’s just a homeless woman…”
Ethan stood in front of her.
Just one step away.
His voice trembled.
“What’s your name?”
The woman blinked, surprised.
“Margaret…” she said softly. “Margaret Hayes…”
The name hit him like a shock.
His face drained of color.
“It can’t be…” he whispered.
“Dad?” Lily asked, squeezing his hand.
Ethan dropped to his knees.
Right there on the sidewalk.