“My daughter can’t speak,” he said, his voice breaking. “Doctors across the country… therapists… specialists… I’ve tried everything. If anyone can make her talk again…” He paused, struggling to breathe steadily. “I will give them one million dollars.”

The words echoed through the silent hall.

The boy didn’t react to Adrian’s tone. Instead, he looked directly at Sophie.

And Sophie was staring back at him.

Something in her expression shifted.

Ignoring the guards, the boy walked slowly toward her. Surprisingly, Adrian didn’t stop him this time. Perhaps curiosity or simple exhaustion made him pause.

The boy stopped a few feet away and crouched down so he was at Sophie’s eye level.

“What’s your name?” he asked gently.

Sophie stayed silent.

Adrian sighed. “You see? She hasn’t spoken in years.”

The boy nodded calmly.

“That’s okay,” he said to Sophie. “You don’t have to talk.”

She blinked slowly.

The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a small toy car. The paint was chipped, and one of the wheels wobbled slightly.

“My mom gave me this,” he said quietly. “She told me when I’m scared, I should hold it and remember I’m not alone.”

Adrian stiffened slightly.

“Where is she now?” he asked quietly.

The boy didn’t look away from Sophie.

“She had to leave,” he said softly. “She said she’d come back. But she didn’t.”

The entire ballroom became completely silent.