I'm proud of you, he said. You know that, right? You tell me every day because it's true every day. Lily pulled back and looked at him with those dark eyes. Victoria would be proud of you, too.
You know that, right? Daniel's throat tightened. Even after 5 years, the mention of Victoria's name could still bring him to his knees. I hope so. I know so.
Lily took his arm. Now come on. We have 300 donors waiting to hear you talk about how amazing my mother was. The gala was held in the grand ballroom of the Hayes Tower, the flagship building of Hayes Enterprises. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over hundreds of guests in evening wear all gathered to celebrate the foundation's fifth anniversary.
Daniel stood at the edge of the room watching the crowd mingle and laugh and toast to Victoria's memory. Rachel was there deep in conversation with a group of foundation volunteers. Edward and Margaret sat at a table near the front, looking uncomfortable in the spotlight, but present nonetheless. And Lily was everywhere, greeting guests, charming donors, moving through the crowd with a confidence that reminded Daniel so much of Victoria, it made his heartache. She's remarkable, isn't she?
Daniel turned. A woman stood beside him, mid-40s, elegant with kind eyes and silver streaks in her dark hair. I'm sorry. Do I know you? No, but I know you and I knew Victoria.
The woman extended her hand. Diana Mitchell. We spoke on the phone years ago. I sent you the video. Daniel's breath caught.
Diana, you were Victoria's college roommate. For 4 years, we were like sisters. Diana's eyes glistened. I should have come sooner. I should have reached out after the funeral, but I was living in London, and by the time I processed everything, years had passed.
You came now. That's what matters. Diana nodded, watching Lily work the room. She looks just like Victoria. The same presence, the same fire.
She has Victoria's heart, too. All of it. Victoria would have loved seeing this. Diana gestured at the gala, the guests, the giant portrait of Victoria hanging above the stage. All these people gathered in her name, helping families find each other.
It's exactly what she would have wanted. Daniel thought about the 15 years Victoria had spent searching for Lily, the investigators, the dead ends, the crushing disappointments followed by impossible hope. She had understood better than anyone what it felt like to lose a child and spend your whole life trying to get them back. She would have been out there, Daniel said softly, talking to every family, hearing every story, making sure everyone felt seen. You're doing that for her now.
Trying to It never feels like enough. Diana touched his arm. It's enough, Daniel. Trust me. Victoria talked about you, you know, in those last months.