Five years passed.

Time changed everything.

The small apartment where Emma had once cried herself to sleep was now filled with laughter. The walls were covered with colorful drawings, tiny handprints, and photographs of a little girl whose smile could brighten even the darkest day.

Her name was Sophia Carter.

She was four years old.

To the world, she was simply Emma’s daughter.

Only Emma knew the truth.

Every morning, Sophia would run into her mother’s room before sunrise.

“Mommy, wake up.”

Emma opened her eyes as the little girl jumped onto the bed.

“Good morning, my princess.”

Sophia wrapped her tiny arms around Emma’s neck.

“You’re late.”

Emma laughed.

“For what?”

“For our pancakes.”

Emma kissed her forehead.

“You’re the boss of this house.”

Sophia giggled.

“I know.”

Emma smiled, but behind that smile was a pain she never allowed anyone to see.

Every time she looked into Sophia’s eyes, she saw Ethan.

The same deep blue eyes.

The same smile.

The same stubborn little expressions.

She had spent five years trying to forget the man who had broken her heart.

Instead…

She had spent every single day raising a daughter who looked more like him as she grew older.

---

Across the city…

Everything had changed for Ethan Blackwood as well.

Blackwood Industries was now one of the largest technology companies in the world.

Business magazines called him The Billionaire King.

Television channels praised his success.

Investors admired him.

Employees respected him.

But none of them knew the truth.

Behind the expensive suits…

Behind the confident smile…

Lived a man who had never forgiven himself.

Every night before sleeping, Ethan opened the same small wooden box.

Inside was a silver ring.

Emma’s ring.

The words engraved inside had begun to fade.

Forever Starts Today.

He gently touched it.

“I’m still waiting…”

Five years had passed.

He had never loved another woman.

His engagement with Victoria Collins had ended less than a year after it was announced. The business merger had been completed, but the relationship had never become a real marriage.

People believed Ethan was too busy for love.

Only he knew…

His heart had never belonged to anyone except Emma.

---

One Monday morning…

Blackwood Industries prepared for its biggest product launch.

Hundreds of reporters gathered outside the headquarters.

Luxury cars arrived one after another.

Employees rushed through the entrance carrying files and laptops.

The company’s logo covered the giant glass building.

Inside his office, Ethan adjusted his tie before looking through the floor-to-ceiling window.

His assistant, Michael, entered.

“Sir.”

“The investors from London have arrived.”

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Michael nodded but hesitated.

“Sir…”

“Today marks five years since your engagement announcement.”

Ethan remained silent.

Michael immediately regretted mentioning it.

“I’m sorry.”

Ethan looked toward the city skyline.

“Don’t be.”

“I remember every date.”

---

At the same time…

Emma was walking Sophia to kindergarten.

“Mommy.”

“Can we buy ice cream after school?”

Emma smiled.

“Only if you finish all your vegetables tonight.”

Sophia thought seriously.

“That’s a difficult deal.”

Emma laughed.

“You’ll survive.”

As they reached the school gate, Sophia suddenly stopped.

“Mommy.”

“Where is my daddy?”

Emma froze.

The question she had feared for years had finally come.

She slowly knelt beside her daughter.

“Your daddy…”

“He lives far away.”

“Does he know me?”

Emma looked into Sophia’s innocent eyes.

For a moment…

She didn’t know how to answer.

Finally she whispered,

“I don’t think he does.”

Sophia lowered her head.

“Oh.”

“Maybe one day he’ll find us.”

Emma hugged her tightly.

Maybe…

She thought.

Or maybe some stories were never meant to have happy endings.

---

That afternoon…

Ethan’s black limousine stopped outside Blackwood Industries.

Dozens of cameras flashed as he stepped out.

“Mr. Blackwood.”

“One photo, please.”

“Sir.”

“How does it feel to become the youngest billionaire CEO in America?”

Ethan smiled politely but didn’t answer.

He rarely spoke to the media anymore.

As he walked toward the entrance, a small red ball suddenly rolled across the driveway.

A little girl chased after it without looking.

At that exact moment…

A speeding delivery van turned the corner.

People screamed.

“Watch out!”

The driver slammed on the brakes.

The tires screeched loudly.

Without thinking, Ethan ran forward.

He grabbed the little girl and pulled her into his arms just seconds before the van came to a stop.

The world fell silent.

The child looked up at him with frightened eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“My ball rolled away.”

Ethan knelt down and smiled gently.

“It’s alright.”

“Are you hurt?”

The little girl shook her head.

“No.”

Then she smiled.

The moment Ethan saw that smile…

His heart stopped.

Those eyes.

That smile.

Those tiny dimples.

She looked exactly like…

Emma.

Before he could speak again, a familiar voice echoed from the crowd.

“Sophia!”

Ethan slowly turned around.

The moment his eyes met the woman running toward them…

Time itself seemed to stop.

Emma Carter.

Standing only a few steps away.

Five years had passed.

But the love he thought he had buried came rushing back in a single heartbeat.

To Be Continued…