Prologue
Kate wore her favorite pink frock that was brought by her grandpa. It was the nicest-looking thing she ever wore. In her five-year-old mind, she knew if she wore the nicest looking dress then her father would be happy to see her and let her play with her oldest sister Emily whom she never met but only saw her pictures in her grandpa's huge house which looks like a castle of any Disney movies she saw.
She runs to her grandpa's room and starts calling him 'grandpa we are getting late. Daddy is waiting'
But she saw her grandpa was coughing very badly like he can't breathe and she stopped midway and timidly asked 'grandpa. are you ok'?
Leon Evans still looks physically fit in his three-fit suit and considered to be the most ruthless businessman of all time but his heart skips away and his expression softens with love when he sees his little Kate face with worry. He smiled to assure her that her grandpa is fine but he got another fit of cough that shook him so bad that he almost falls but he finds the little hand support on his waist and looks down it was his beautiful granddaughter that he found to love her every passing of day so much that he started to come early from his office so that he can spend time with this little highlight of his day
He caressed her cheeks' hey sweetheart I'm fine. Just a tiny cough'
Kate nodded and admonished him in her soft childlike voice 'you must have the ice cream. Mommy always told me that if you eat ice cream then you get sick'
He smiled at her and picked her up 'yeah you are right but I haven't eaten any ice cream because you eat all mine' he tickled her tummy and she giggled and Leon tightened his hold and hugged her tight. Because he knows he will miss her so much. Who knows that she would wrap him around her little finger?
A year ago, he got a call from a woman named Sussie informing him that he got another granddaughter and she wants him to give her child his family name otherwise she will go to the press. When he got to know about his son's affair that resulted in a child. He was furious and wanted to kill his one and only son first for ruining his family name and reputation second for putting his family legacy in danger. God knows which gold digger he knocked her up and now she is after his money.
His son Ryan put a blind eye to his responsibility but Leon was a man of honor and he knew no matter what he won't let his blood shackle in some low-class trailer house. But when he went to check that woman and that child, she said to be his son. He got a reality check of all time. Susie was dying and looked to be hanging by the threat. And there was a tiny and frigid-looking child crying non-stop.
As much as he was disgusted by the scene presented in front of him, he was pitying the woman's living condition and the cries of the child showed that it was a cry of hunger.
Sussie told him that she was dying from aids and she got a few days left hardly if that mattered. But she can't leave her child homeless or in an orphanage knowing how rich and well-known her father is.
The living condition and the stack of drugs and the area were well enough for Leon to understand what Susie did for a living. He immediately did a DNA test and against his better judgment, it was found indeed Kate was his son's daughter. She died after a few days leaving Kate motherless. He paid for the funeral expense and decided that he will adopt Kate and take her responsibility. His good-for-nothing son can abandon his blood but he can't. And how can he, Kate's big innocent blue eyes break any hardcore man's heart? In the first few days Late haven't spoken any word just silently cry for her mother and had a nightmare while sleeping. She misses her mother and from there Leon realized that Sussie despite her profession was a good mother somehow.
Leon was helpless about Kate, as his son was still not accepting Kate nor he was ready to be introduced to her world. He knew he got other ways that will force his son to accept Kate and let her live with his family but he let that thought pass because first he won't let Kate go through a hard time because of her parent mistake and secondly he liked having Kate around and the emptiness he felt for such a long time was finally filled but this little girl was now bouncing in his arm excitedly that she is going to meet her family for the first time. But she doesn't know that he is making a decision with a heavy heart that will change her life, but he has no choice.
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'Dad I told you so many times. I need time. I just can't bring that girl into my life. I got a wife and a daughter whom I love so much. Mona will leave me dad and it will tarnish our reputation.' Ryan argues with his dad
Lean stood tall with the help of his stick and pointed at him 'You should have thought about this before it's too late. Kate is your responsibility and she needs a father and mother in her life. I'm giving you an ultimatum of a month otherwise forget all about the shares and inheritance. I will give it to Kate and charity'
Ryan loses all his face color 'Da...Dad you can't be serious for that bastard girl and her w***e of a mother you are giving away all our wealth. It's my right and my Emily inheritance'
Leon passes him a murderous glare 'Mind your f*****g mouth. If you ever call Kate by this name I swear on my mother you will be begging in the roads. I will do anything for that child. Have you ever put yourself in her position that she is motherless and fatherless even though her father is very much alive? (He softens his tone) Ryan, my son Kate is very precious. She is so down-to-earth and the empathic girl I ever met. Even at this age, she is a wise and kind soul. I'm telling you will regret it if you don't appreciate her
Ryan was anxious and wanted to get out of this discussion 'Then why don't you keep her like you are doing right now. I know she is not your responsibility but dad I need time. Mona is still angry about the affair and I promised her that I will not bring Kate into this house. That's the reason she hasn't divorce me. I need time'
Leon shakes his head 'but son I don't have time. You have no idea it's killing me that I have to give kate away to you guys where she won't is loved. But I got limited time'
'what do you mean dad? What's wrong you are scaring me
'I had lung cancer last stage. And you need to take care of Kate if you want to have the inheritance 'He said with a calm yet firm voice.