Theodore simply vanished. From Christmas to New Year’s, he made no further appearances in Emma’s life.
She hardly noticed his absence. Her days were so full—with the holidays, with her family, and with Sebastian—that there was no room left for old memories.
If there was one small shadow cast over those happy days, it was a piece of sad news she heard at the Wellness Center.
Mae was the one who told her: Robert had passed away. The cheerful older man who always called her “the little dancer” would no longer be there.
“I saw his son putting him in the ambulance myself,” Mae said, wiping her eyes. “The old guy just never came back.”
In a place like the Wellness Center, a unique camaraderie existed among the patients. The loss of one of them was felt by all, prompting quiet moments of reflection. But life moved on.
Some of the other patients were curious. “He had a son? What’s he like? We never saw him around.”
Mae, who was a wealth of local gossip, didn’t know much. “He’s from Crestmont. A handsome young man. I think they live just down the street, so maybe we’ll see him around.”
But whether a life is lived in a blaze of glory or in quiet obscurity, it ultimately fades like the wind. After a few days of discussion, Robert’s name was mentioned less and less, until he was forgotten. No one thought about the son who might be living just around the corner.
The charity also replied, forwarding an anonymous note left by the donor: *Every child is an angel. Sometimes they just run into this world so fast they leave a few parts behind. I hope this small contribution can give them a pair of wings to help them find their dreams again.*
She wondered where he had gotten so much money. Her brother had told her that Theodore had sold his company, even telling her the final sale price. Was this where the money came from?
“His company had some valuable core technology and source code,” Larson had explained. “Even though it was poorly managed, the brand still had some recognition. Plus, he managed to keep most of the core engineering team. As a package deal, it sold for a decent price. But after paying off bank loans, severance for employees, and splitting the rest with other shareholders, I have no idea what he was left with.”
***

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