Robert was surprised to see Cora was calling him. Was she not well enough to come to work? Last night when he left her place, she seemed to be fine. "Cora?" He answered.

"I need to go to New York, as fast as possible. I am sorry. My Papa…" Cora's voice broke and Robert could only hear her sob.

Robert clasped his phone with both hands. "Cora? What happened? What is wrong with your father?"

"He is dying. My Papa is dying and I need to go home." Cora sobbed.

"Wait, what?" Robert had trouble understanding what Cora said. "Where are you? Are you home? I am on my way."

Robert passed Rosamund's office. "Something happened with Cora's father, I have to go to her." He did not wait for a reaction and rushed to Cora's house.


"Please call or text me when you arrive in New York." Robert had booked a flight ticket for Cora while she packed her bag. John drove them to the airport. She had just checked in and was now ready to go through security.

"I hope that I will be on time." Cora's voice was soft.

Robert took Cora's face in his hands and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "Be safe." He saw tears in Cora's eyes. "I will be here waiting for you." He continued.

Cora nodded and whispered a thank you.

He watched how she passed security, her small figure even smaller. How he wished he was going with her. He did not like it, that she was travelling alone. She had been very sick and now was going to lose her father.

He booked her a first-class ticket. This way she had her private little suite on board. Harold would pick her up from the airport, which made Robert feel a little bit at ease, knowing she was with her family the second she stepped outside the airport. He had asked Harold to keep him updated.


"Harold, how is Papa?" Cora said when she saw her brother standing in the arrival hall.

"He is still with us, but we need to hurry. He is waiting for you." Harold took her suitcase, and with his other hand, he pressed her against him. And started walking to the car. He had used one of the company cars with a driver.

The trip to the hospital felt like ages, but finally, they arrived. Harold gave the driver instructions to bring her suitcase to their family home and then walked to the front doors. "Are you coming?"

Cora felt nervous entering the room. Her father was lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by machines. Her mother sat next to him. His face was peaceful as if he was sleeping. She was happy to see his face without tubes sticking out of his mouth or nose.

"Cora, please say goodbye to your father. He is waiting for you." Her mother said when Cora stepped closer. Her mother had dark circles under her eyes.

Cora took a seat on the other side of the bed and took her father's hand in hers. Softly she pressed a kiss on it. "Oh, Papa. I have to thank you for everything. You did so much, and because of you, I am standing where I am right now. Thank you for giving me the chance to explore London and for letting me go." She felt a soft squeeze in her hand and looked up. "Because of you, I met the most wonderful man, Robert would have made you proud." That last part she said very close to his ear so her mother would not hear it.

Her father had opened his eyes and gave her a soft smile. "I am proud." He said almost inaudible.

Cora felt a tear escape her eye. She pressed her father's hand against her cheek. "I love you, Papa."

After a long time sitting like this, his hand started to feel heavy but she did not want to let go of him.

Harold touched her shoulder. "Cora, you need to let go. He is gone."

Cora stared at her father's face. He was peaceful, it was something that made her feel a little bit better. He had not been anxious and she had told him about Robert. He knew she had found someone.

"Cora, let us go home. We cannot do anything else here."

It surprised Cora how cold her mother sounded, but she had never shown a lot of emotions. In that regard, she did fit in with the English people. Cora felt her own eyes burn from all the tears, she was the opposite of her mother. Her emotions were always visible.

When they stepped outside, Cora noticed it was already dark. She looked at her clock and saw hours had gone by. She saw a text message from Robert. Her heart melted when she read it.

In my heart I am with you.*

She looked at his profile picture, a dapper man in a light grey suit. His blue eyes sparkled, she still wondered who he was looking at when this picture was taken. Was it a former girlfriend? Cora took a deep breath before she answered his text.

My father passed away.*

Tears rolled over her cheeks when she hit send. Harold wrapped his arm over her shoulder and pressed her against his shoulder.

"I am glad you made it in time dear sister."

Martha turned around in her front seat. "You and Harold will make him proud, I know."

Cora raised her eyebrows. What did she mean by this comment?

Harold's grip loosened. "Can we discuss this later?"

Now Cora looked at Harold. "What do we need to discuss?"

"It can wait. Let us first have a good night's sleep. It was an exhausting day."

"Who is that man at the gate?" Martha asked, pointing at the gate infront of their house.

Cora tried to look through the window, but she could not see the man clearly. They were too far away.