He wept openly, undone by the miracle he had longed for. But even as gratitude flooded him, another thought crept in—cold and calculating. The spilled liquid on the stones… that was opportunity.
By the next morning, his men had found Emily beneath a highway overpass. Alexander brought her to his mansion, apologizing profusely, showering her with gifts, fine clothes, and lavish meals. Sophie was ecstatic, believing she had gained a sister.
Weeks passed. While the girls played, Alexander questioned Emily in his study.
“What herbs did your grandmother use?” he would ask casually, offering sweets.
Innocently, Emily described sage and mint gathered at dawn, grated ginger, wild honey, chamomile steeped exactly seven minutes in glass. Alexander memorized every word.
Once he believed he had the complete formula, his kindness vanished.
“You’ve been helpful,” he told her coldly one evening, sliding a duffel bag of cash across his desk. “Take this and leave.”
Emily stared at him, devastated. “I didn’t want money. I just wanted a family.”
“Business is business,” he replied, forcing her out.
Sophie’s cries echoed through the hall. “Daddy, no! She’s my friend!”