😱 💔 At the airport, a millionaire encounters his former maid. and learns a startling reality
Renowned businessman and hotel group owner Alexandre Morel rushed to his boarding gate amid the commotion of a packed terminal. Suddenly, however, his steps stopped abruptly.
A tired young mother sat on the floor with two infants in her arms. The kids were barely shielded from the cold air conditioning by a thin blanket, and her bag doubled as a makeshift pillow.
Alexandre felt her heart constrict. There was no mistake the frail form, the brown hair cascading over a weary face. His breath caught as he got closer: it was Élodie, his former maid, who had been sacked years previously due to a bogus accusation of stealing.
Their gazes locked. Those once-bright green eyes were now obscured by fear and fatigue. Alexandre looked down at the twins… and stopped.
His eyes were with them. It was the same distinctive green as his father’s. He had to lean against the wall to prevent himself from collapsing since his legs were trembling. 😲
— Élodie Tell me I’m mistaken. Do these kids belong to me? With emotion choking his voice, Alexandre muttered.
The young woman broke down in tears. Crushed beneath an unbearable weight, she dropped her head. Her voice was hardly audible when she eventually summoned the bravery to speak.
— You ought never to have discovered… Your mother made every effort to keep us apart. Alexandre, she threatened me. She would have ruined my life if I had spoken.
Under him, the ground felt as though it were giving way. The past abruptly reappeared, cruel and unforgiving: his mother’s cruel words, her contempt for “the maid’s daughter,” the unexpected resignation letter… It all made sense. In a horrible manner.
Why didn’t you send me a letter? His eyes were burning, and he nearly yelled. Why did you give me the impression that you had deceived me?
Élodie dug into her bag and took out a yellowed, old envelope that was stamped all over it.
In a weak voice, she continued, “I tried.” Every letter I sent was returned with the red stamp, “Unknown Address.” It was already too late when I discovered I was having twins.
Alexandre’s heart broke. Still stunned by what he saw, he knelt down in front of the kids and embraced them. His entire being shook when one of them raised a hand and lightly touched his cheek with their fingertips. It was a simple, well-known gesture.
— Evan and Timéo, Élodie muttered, her lips trembling. Evan and Timéo are their names.
Abruptly, a voice resounded throughout the hallway:
— Final call for the Paris–New York flight.
Slowly, Alexandre raised his gaze to the boarding gate. Years of loneliness, deception, and remorse were reflected in his eyes. Then he reached for his ticket and tore it firmly in two without hesitating.
I’m not going anywhere. Not now. I refuse to allow anyone to steal my family from me once more.
At last, Élodie started crying. Travelers hurried by them, unconcerned. The world had stopped for Alexandre, though.
He was no longer the dutiful son or the aspirational businessman. He didn’t need any money, success, or travel at that very moment. The delicate feel of two small arms holding him contained everything he had ever wanted in life.
