Claudia felt her knees weaken, the world narrowing to this one moment. The man stopped before the stall, eyes warm yet full of emotion. “Good morning,” he said. Claudia could barely nod. “Are you Claudia Rivers?”
“I… I am,” she stammered.
He exhaled, as though carrying the weight of the world. “Thank you for taking care of my grandmother all these years,” he said, voice thick. Murmurs erupted around them. Grandmother? Who? Claudia blinked, her mind struggling to grasp the connection. Before she could ask, a frail voice came from behind.
“Who… my grandmother?” The question was trembling yet fierce. The crowd parted slightly. Mrs. Adelaide Ward, frail and shivering, sat up from her chair, eyes wide with disbelief.
The billionaire turned to her slowly, tears glistening. “Grandma. I survived,” he whispered, kneeling before her, the dust and morning sun illuminating a reunion long delayed.
Gasps rippled through the small community. Mrs. Ward’s hands trembled on her chest, tears streaking her face. “My… my Charles? You… you are alive?”
“Yes, Grandma,” he said. “It’s me, your grandson. I found you.”