C39 Sarah Returns Home

While the Smith, Chambers, and Mooney families were discussing the overseas assignment, another event was unfolding elsewhere.

At the Wood Mansion, the atmosphere was unusually calm.

The emergency meetings at the company had exhausted Kelvin. Even though he rarely showed it, managing a corporation while dealing with internal conflicts and shareholders was never easy.

Before dinner, he came in and sat down in the living room and loosened his tie. For the first time that day, he felt relaxed. Then his phone rang. Kelvin glanced at the screen. The moment he saw the caller ID, his eyes widened.

For a second, he thought he was imagining things. His hand trembled slightly before he answered. "Sarah?" His voice was softer than usual. The voice that came from the other side immediately made him stand up. "Dad."

Just one word. Yet it felt as if years of longing disappeared instantly. Kelvin's eyes turned red. "My daughter." He laughed happily. "How have you been? Your father misses you so much."

Sarah laughed softly. "I know, Dad." Then she paused. "I'm at the airport." Kelvin froze. "The airport?" "Yes." Another pause followed. "Dad... can you come fetch me?" The next second Kelvin was already grabbing his car keys. "I'm coming right now."

Without waiting for another word, he ended the call and rushed toward the door. Meanwhile, Samantha and Ben had just come downstairs. Tracy had also walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of snacks.

All three froze. They watched Kelvin run past them like a teenager who had just won the lottery. Nobody had ever seen him move that fast. "Kelvin?" Tracy called. No response. He was already outside.

Moments later the sound of a car engine echoed through the compound. Then he was gone. The three people left behind looked at each other. "What just happened?" Ben asked. Nobody knew. They tried calling him. The line was busy. Eventually they gave up and returned to the living room. Still confused.

Kelvin was driving toward the airport at a speed that would have horrified his security team. His daughter was coming home. After five years. Five whole years. Sarah Wood. His precious daughter. His pride. His greatest headache. And also the child he missed the most.

The more he thought about it, the happier he became. Then another thought suddenly struck him. His expression changed. "Oh no." He was going to meet his daughter empty-handed. What kind of father does that? Immediately he changed direction.

A few minutes later he stopped at a nearby shopping center. The employees inside watched in shock as one of the country's most influential businessmen rushed through the store searching for gifts.

Within minutes he emerged carrying the biggest teddy bear he could find. It was so large that it nearly covered his face. The employees stared as he left. Nobody dared laugh. But several people secretly took photos.

At the airport. Sarah had just collected her luggage. She was standing near the entrance when she spotted a familiar figure. A man in an expensive suit. Holding an enormous teddy bear. Looking completely ridiculous. Her cheeks immediately turned red. "Dad..."

She wanted to pretend she didn't know him. Unfortunately, Kelvin had already seen her. His eyes lit up instantly. He waved the teddy bear enthusiastically. Sarah could feel people staring. Yet despite her embarrassment, her eyes became moist. Five years.

Five years since she had last seen her father in person. The next moment she ran toward him. Kelvin opened his arms. Father and daughter embraced tightly. Neither wanted to let go. Small tears formed in Sarah's eyes. "Dad..." "I missed you."

Kelvin smiled. His own eyes were suspiciously wet. "I missed you too." "And your mother misses you even more." Sarah laughed through her tears. For a moment neither of them spoke. They simply enjoyed being together again.

On the drive home, Kelvin talked almost nonstop. Mostly about one person. Monica. His granddaughter. Sarah listened patiently. She learned about Ben's child, Monica. About Samantha. About the company. About the coming wedding. About how spoiled Monica already was despite being a new born yet.

Eventually Sarah laughed. "Dad, I haven't even met her yet." "You will love her." "I know." Then another realization hit her. She had forgotten to buy gifts. Immediately she asked Kelvin to stop at a shopping center.

When the stopped, she rushed inside. By the time she returned, she carried several bags. Baby clothes. Toys. Stuffed animals. Children's books. And many other things.

Kelvin stared. "Sarah." "The child is still so young ." Sarah shrugged. "Then she can use them later." Thinking about Samantha, whom she had never met, Sarah purchased several elegant gifts as well. Jewelry. Cosmetics. Accessories.

Not because she was trying to impress anyone. Simply because she wanted to welcome the woman who would become part of the family. As a silent shareholder in the company, Sarah received more than enough income to afford such things. Money had never interested her much. But family did. Even though she was far away from them.

About thirty minutes later, they arrived at the Wood Mansion. Inside, everyone was still waiting. The moment the front doors opened, several heads turned. Then everyone froze. Kelvin entered first. Still carrying the giant teddy bear.

The sight alone was strange enough. Then another figure appeared behind him. A beautiful young woman carrying several shopping bags.

For a second nobody moved. Then Tracy's eyes widened. "Sarah..." The bags dropped from Sarah's hands. "Mom." Tracy forgot about dignity. Forgot about age. Forgot about appearances. She rushed forward. Mother and daughter embraced tightly. Both began crying immediately.

Ben smiled. For the first time all evening, genuine happiness appeared on his face. His sister was finally home. After all these years.

Even Samantha, who had never met Sarah before, felt warmth rise within her chest. She quietly observed the reunion. Then her gaze shifted toward the shopping bags. Most were filled with baby items.

A strange feeling touched her heart. This woman had never met Monica. Yet she had already bought gifts for her. Without realizing it, Samantha smiled. Maybe... Just maybe... The Wood family wasn't as cold and complicated as she once believed.

Eventually Tracy released Sarah. Everyone moved into the living room. Kelvin finally put down the giant teddy bear. Sarah laughed. "I think Dad loves that bear more than me." The room erupted into laughter.

The Wood Mansion felt completely alive. Nobody noticed it yet. But Sarah's return was about to change many things. Not only within the family. But within the company itself. And perhaps... Within Mike's life as well.