«All set, boss,» the young man said, pushing his half-eaten plate of fries away. «Just leave it there. I’m out.» As the busboy reached for the plate, a woman’s voice cut through the diner’s hum. «Hey, put that down. What are you doing?» Emily rushed over from behind the counter. «Sorry about that.» She stopped the busboy. «Hey, wait a second.»

She turned to the customer who was already halfway to the door. «Sir, you barely touched your food.»

He shrugged, pulling a crumpled bill from his pocket. «I only have two bucks on me, is that okay?»

Before Emily could answer, an old man sitting in a corner booth spoke up, his voice frail. «Miss, I… I don’t have any money with me. My family… I can’t seem to remember where they are.»

Emily’s heart softened. She smiled gently at the old man. «Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll help you find them.» She then took the plate of fries. «Sir, the burger you ordered earlier was… well, let’s just say it found a better home. I just made this fresh one. Please, have this.»

«Grandpa, you should sit,» said a small voice. Emily’s six-year-old daughter, Maya, looked at the old man with wide, serious eyes. «Mommy says eating leftovers will give you a tummy ache.»

Emily’s cheeks flushed. She thought fast. «Oh! My goodness. You’re our 100th customer today! That means your meal is on the house.»

The old man’s eyes lit up. «Really?»

«Grandpa, how do you like mommy’s cooking?» Maya asked, leaning over the table.

He took a bite of the burger, his eyes closing in bliss. «Wow. This is the best burger I’ve ever had in my life.»

«Well, if you like it, you can come by anytime,» Emily said warmly. «I’m always here.»

«Thank you,» he whispered. «Thank you.»

Later that evening, as the city lights began to sparkle outside, Emily wiped down the last table. «Grandpa, it’s getting late. If you don’t have anywhere else to be, we’re about to head out.»

«Okay,» he said, getting up slowly. «I’ll go too.»

«See you tomorrow, grandpa!» Maya chirped, waving.

«See you tomorrow, little one,» he murmured. As Emily and Maya walked out into the cool New York air, a sleek black town car pulled up to the curb. A man in a sharp suit jumped out.

«Sir, your money!» the busboy called, running out with the two-dollar bill. «You forgot your money!»

A younger, impeccably dressed man stepped out of the town car, his face etched with worry. «Grandpa, I finally found you.» He turned to a woman next to him. «Is he okay?»

«Mr. Sterling, his Alzheimer’s is getting worse. He’s been gone for a week this time.»

The young man, Michael Sterling, gently took his grandfather’s arm. «Grandpa, it’s me, Michael. Your grandson. Come on, let’s go home.»

«You’re my grandson? Really?» the old man, Arthur, looked confused. «No, I have to find someone.»

«Find who?»

Arthur’s eyes suddenly cleared with a mischievous glint. «Oh, you little rascal! I remember now. Look at you. This is all your fault. If you had just found me a granddaughter-in-law and given me some great-grandchildren, I’d stay home and play with them all day. But no, you made me go out and look for one myself! I’ve been searching for days!»

Michael sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. «Alright, alright. I’ll start setting up some dates the minute we get back.»

«Really? I’m telling you, I just met the perfect girl today. She’s so kind. Runs a little diner right over there. And her burgers… absolutely delicious.»

«Okay, Grandpa. I’ll go find her. But you have to come home with me first.»

«You promise?»

«I promise. I’ll check it out right away. Now, let’s go home.»

A certified check for two million dollars. Emily stared at it, her hands trembling. «It’s really over. The buyout money for the brownstone finally came through.» The old Brooklyn house her parents had left her was gone, but this was a new beginning. «Two million dollars… plus everything I’ve saved all these years… we can finally get a real place.»

«A big house, Mommy?» Maya asked, her eyes wide. «But I don’t want you to be so tired anymore. When I grow up, I’m going to work really hard and give you a good life.»

Emily hugged her daughter tightly. «Okay, sweetie. That’s a deal. Now come on, let’s go tell your dad the good news.»

They walked to the small apartment they shared with Jake, Emily’s partner of seven years. As she approached the door, she heard voices from inside.

«Jake, when are you going to marry me?» a woman’s voice purred. «My dad said if you do, he’ll give you shares in the company.»

«Oh, baby, don’t rush,» Jake’s voice replied. «You know I haven’t officially broken things off with Emily yet. She was too young to get married when we first got together, and I’ve kept her waiting for seven years. I told her once I buy a house, we’d make it official. As soon as the deed is in my name, I’ll drop her for good.»

«You better,» the woman said. «You know I’m pregnant.»

«Almost there, babe. Almost there.»

Emily felt the world drop out from under her. She pushed the door open. Jake and a woman she recognized as her boss’s daughter, Tiffany, were wrapped around each other on the couch. His mother, Sarah, was sitting in an armchair, beaming at them.

«Auntie, I’ll say it again. If you want me to marry your son, he better bring a house to the table.»

«Honey, don’t you worry,» Sarah said, patting Tiffany’s hand.

«Mom,» Emily’s voice was a dead whisper.

«Why are you back so late? Where have you been?» Sarah asked, feigning surprise.

«Mom, business was good tonight, so I’m late,» Maya said, running past them. «Daddy!»

Jake jumped up, his face pale. «Honey, you’re back.»

Emily held up the check, her hand shaking with rage. «I have great news. The buyout for the old house came through. Two million dollars. Plus my savings… we have enough to buy a big house in the city.»

«Wow, really?» Jake said, forcing a smile. «Emily, let’s go house hunting tomorrow.»

«Yeah, yeah, yeah,» his mother chimed in. «Honey, you’ve worked so hard all these years. It’s time to enjoy life.»

«So, Jake,» Emily said, her voice dangerously quiet. «We get the house… can we finally get married?»

«Of course. As soon as the house is bought.»

«Really?» Emily took a step closer. «Honey… why do you smell like perfume?»

«Oh, uh, Maya and I went shopping today. She wanted to buy you a bottle of perfume. We tested some, but then… I remembered you don’t like that stuff. So we didn’t buy it.»

«Yeah, yeah,» his mother added quickly. «But I got you a gift.» She handed Emily a small, tacky keychain. «Take it with you when you go out, so it’s like I’m there with you.»

«Alright,» Emily said, her voice flat. «Go freshen up.» She couldn’t look at them.

That night, Emily tossed and turned, a recurring dream haunting her. Don’t be nervous, take a deep breath. Quick, I see the baby’s here. There are three more inside. You guys. Where are you taking my child? She would wake up in a cold sweat. What is going on? Why do I keep dreaming I had more than just Maya? I must be exhausted.

In a high-rise office overlooking Manhattan, Michael Sterling stared at a file. «Mr. Sterling, we’ve found her. The woman your grandfather met. Her name is Emily Lin. Her partner, Jake Wu, is a line worker at one of our subsidiary plants in New Jersey.»

Michael looked at the photo of Emily. «This woman… why does she look so familiar?»

«Mr. Sterling,» his assistant, Susan, said. «And?»

«That woman from seven years ago… still no leads?»

«Seven years ago, you were drugged at the Greenfield Hotel,» Susan recounted softly. «We found a woman to help you. You took her locket. But the security footage was corrupted beyond repair. We still can’t confirm who was with you that night.»

Michael clenched his fist. A name echoed in his mind. Jake Wu. Was it you? Once I find out who was behind this… I’ll come for you.

«Susan, find her,» he commanded. «Keep looking. As for Emily Lin… I’ll meet her myself.»

The next day, a black car pulled up to Emily’s diner. Michael stepped out. «Two bowls of ramen,» he said, sitting at the counter.

Emily served him, her mind elsewhere. It’s already 11 AM. I wonder if Jake got the deed to the house sorted out.

«It’s pretty clean in here,» Michael observed. «Would you like to order something else?»

He slid an envelope across the counter. «The elderly man who ate here last night… he’s my grandfather. He has Alzheimer’s. There’s a fifty-thousand-dollar reward for his safe return. Thank you for your kindness.»

Emily stared at the envelope, then pushed it back. «Fifty thousand? Thanks, but no thanks. My food isn’t worth that much. I’m just glad the old man found his family. Please, use that money to take better care of him. Besides, if he was really that rich, would he have gone missing in the first place?»

Michael was taken aback. She’s not like the others. «Are you turning me down?»

«No, sir. I’m just saying you don’t have to put on a show for me. And just because someone has an assistant, it doesn’t automatically make them a CEO, right? If you’re not eating, I’ve got work to do.»

«Mommy!» Maya called from the back.

Michael watched her go. Strange. She feels so familiar. He stood up as she returned. «How long are you going to keep pushing me away? Have we met somewhere before?»

«Sir, I think you have the wrong person. We’ve never met.»

«Mommy, are you okay?» Maya asked, tugging on her apron.

«I’m fine, sweetie.»

Michael knelt down to Maya’s level. «How old are you, little one?»

«Uncle, I’m six.»

«No, she’s eight,» Emily cut in quickly. «If there’s nothing else, I’m closing up. Maya, help Mommy pack up. We’re leaving.»

As they left, Michael murmured to Susan, «She’s clearly six years old. Why would she lie about it? If she’s six, the timeline matches… but she has a partner. Am I overthinking this? Find a way to get a strand of the kid’s hair for a DNA test.»

Susan nodded, approaching Maya with a lollipop. «Hey, kiddo, come here.»

«Uncle, Mommy said I can’t take things from strangers. Thank you though,» Maya said politely.

Susan sighed as she walked away. «Could this kid really be Mr. Sterling’s? No way. He couldn’t have a kid this cute.»

«Hurry up, Maya. Let’s go home and see the big new house!» Emily said, forcing a cheerful tone.

They arrived at a brand-new condo building. The name on the directory made Emily’s blood run cold. It wasn’t her name. It wasn’t Jake’s name. It was «LIU, TIFFANY.»

«Honey, is everything sorted out?» Jake asked, walking into the lobby with his mother.

«Oh, you’re here. I’ve got it all arranged. The deed should be finalized in seven days.»

«Really? That’s great! Our family finally won’t have to live in a rental anymore.» Emily’s voice dripped with sarcasm. «Honey, thank you for the house money. It’s all because of you.»

«No problem,» Jake said, missing her tone completely. «As long as our family is happy. I’ve decided to throw a huge housewarming party. I want everyone to know I have a wonderful wife.»

«Yes,» his mother added. «At the party, we’ll show everyone my wonderful daughter-in-law, Tiffany Liu!»

Back in his office, Michael read a report. «Emily Lin, 27 years old. Mr. Sterling, her age might match the woman from seven years ago, but I checked hotel records. She was never a guest at The Greenfield.»

«Finding no one in seven years can’t be a coincidence. Maybe I was wrong.» He looked at another file. «And she and her partner Jake Wu bought a new condo? They’re having a housewarming soon.»

«Yes, and you said her partner works in one of our factories.»

«Yeah, just a line worker. But something’s off. She and Jake never got legally married. And seven years ago, she was under the legal age anyway.»

«Who hasn’t made mistakes when they were young? These are small details. Since she doesn’t want money, here’s the plan. Promote Jake Wu to deputy director of the factory. And give him a significant raise.»

«Okay, sir.»

At the New Jersey plant, the manager called Jake into his office. «Director Hu, this is the new promotion list. Jake Wu is the new deputy director. A personal selection by Mr. Sterling himself.»

«What did Jake do to deserve that? Straight from the line to deputy director…»

Jake could hardly believe it. «Am I really going to be deputy director?»

«Yes, yes! Thank you, Director!»

He rushed home. «Honey, guess what? You’re my lucky star! The director said I’ve been promoted to deputy director!»

«Really?» his mother shrieked. «I told you my son was amazing! He’s going to make it big! What’s the salary?»

«A hundred and fifty thousand a year.»

«Our family is going to be successful!»

«Honey, that’s fantastic!» Jake beamed. «This is a double celebration! At the housewarming in two days, I’m not just going to brag about my wonderful wife, I’m also going to announce my promotion!»

The party was in full swing. The condo was filled with people. «Oh my, Sarah. Your Jake is doing so well! A new house and a promotion to deputy director!»

«Keep it low-key, huh? I heard it was a personal appointment by the CEO of Sterling Enterprises in the city.»

«Sterling Enterprises… I hear he can make the whole city shake with a single phone call. I can’t believe your Jake knows him personally.»

«Well, the CEO and I do have a bit of a connection,» Jake said with a smug grin. «In the future, you all have to look out for me.»

A new guest arrived, and a hush fell over the room. «Isn’t that Richard Lowe, the GM of Lowe Industries? One of the top three manufacturing companies in the state?»

«Lowe Industries has a deep partnership with Sterling Enterprises. Maybe Jake set this up, too.»

«Mr. Lowe, what an honor to have you,» Jake said, rushing forward.

«You’re too kind. Aren’t you celebrating your move today? As Tiffany’s father, I had to come and see the young man Mr. Sterling himself recommended for a promotion. You have a bright future.»

«I’ll keep working hard, sir.»

Just then, the door opened. Emily and Maya walked in. «Wow, Mommy, what a beautiful place.»

«What is she doing here?» Sarah hissed. «Emily, are you here to embarrass my son? Look at what you’re wearing!»

«Mom, this is the best outfit I have.»

«Grandma, Mommy doesn’t buy clothes for herself. Please don’t criticize her,» Maya said.

«Alright, Mom, stop it,» Jake said. «Let’s get up there and make the announcement.»