She froze when she saw him. Her wide brown eyes held the wary look of someone used to fending for herself.
“Are you selling bread?” he asked gently.
She nodded and lifted the cloth. Inside were sweet rolls and fresh loaves, still warm and neatly wrapped.
Then Daniel saw her hand.
On her left ring finger was a silver ring set with a blue topaz. The band had delicate, handcrafted details. The stone caught the gray light with a soft glow.
His breath caught.
He had designed that ring himself. One of a kind. Inside, engraved in tiny letters: “D & L. Eternally.”
He had given it to Lila—the woman who vanished sixteen years ago, three months pregnant, leaving behind a letter he could recite by heart.
“What’s your name?” he asked carefully.
“Clara… sir.”
Clara.
Lila had once said if she ever had a daughter, she’d name her Clara, after her grandmother.
Without thinking, Daniel bought the entire basket and paid far more than it was worth. He handed her extra cash, which she tried to give back.
“It’s too much.”
“It isn’t,” he said softly. “If you or your mom ever need anything… call me.”
He gave her his card with his private number. She took it as if it might dissolve in her hands.