“It belonged to my late wife,” he said, placing the small velvet box in my hand. “She wore it every day for thirty years. She believed in helping strangers. I think she’d want you to have it.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “I can’t… it’s too valuable.”
“You gave up something precious for me,” he replied. “Let me return the kindness.”
I whispered thank you, fingers brushing the worn gold heart pendant.
Then he smiled. “I hear you have a prom coming up.”
I laughed. “I did… but now, no dress.”
He grinned. “A friend owns a boutique. I told her what you did. She wants you to pick any dress you like—on the house.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re serious?”
“As serious as a father’s gratitude.”
Three days later, I walked out of that boutique with the pale pink gown I’d dreamed of. On prom night, I wore it with the pendant at my collarbone—and saw him at the door, his daughter beside him, waving.
That’s when I knew: the real gift was how kindness came full circle, changing both our lives.
