CHAPTER EIGHTY SIX

ELLA'S POV

I took the paper again and read the address, my heart pounding. Yes, this was the place - the moment of truth had finally arrived.

How would this reunion go? Would he even recognize me after all these years? Was he still the same handsome, vibrant man I remembered from my childhood, or had time taken its toll?

Nerves twisted in my stomach as I wondered if he had moved on, perhaps remarried and started a new family. The thought of him having other children, a life without us, stung more than I cared to admit. But I had to know - I needed those missing pieces to finally fill the void that had haunted me for so long.

Steeling my nerves, I stepped up to the front door and rapped my knuckles against the wood. Silence. I waited with breath, then tried again, still no answer.

Finally, the door creaked open to reveal a girl who appeared to be around my own age. She eyed me curiously, brow furrowing.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"I'm, um, I'm looking for Daniel Thompson," I managed