The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

The old man scanned the mother and daughter before him, and in the next second, pulled out a stick of cotton candy, presenting it to Twila. "Hey kiddo, you're quite the charmer, I like you. So here, this cotton candy's on me." Twila instinctively reached out for it. But then she remembered her mom's warning about not accepting treats from strangers. She withdrew her hand, "Thanks, but no thanks."

The old man, taken by her politeness, insisted, "Come on, take it. I made it myself, as a little reward for well-behaved and smart kids like you."

Twila, unable to resist the temptation, finally gave in, "Thank you."

She held the cotton candy as if it were a precious treasure.

Hestia handed the old man a couple of dollars, "Thank you for your kindness, this is all I have."

The old man refused the money, "No need, young lady."

He then handed her another stick, "I can see life hasn't been easy for you, raising a child on your own. Everyone deserves a sweet treat now and then."

Hestia, holding the cotton candy in one hand and the two dollars in the other, was suddenly reminded of someone from her past who used to look out for her.

As a bus sped past, Hestia caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.

...

town the following evening, accompanied by a

doctor heard them asking about Hestia and feared she might

you guys? What do you want with Hestia?"

of Hestia," they

about to say more when a

again!" he exclaimed, rushing towards

sound of a man's angry

"Stop, just stop-"

in, "Merrick, have you no shame?

rage, retorted, "This wench has been flirting around;

clutching a stick of cotton candy, while Twila stood by, her

growing even angrier, was about to strike again when Nathan swiftly kicked him down, restraining him, "Hitting a woman? What kind of man does that make you?" "Damn it, let me go-" Merrick cursed, writhing in

firmly subdued Merrick, who then accused her,

with a tissue and approached Hestia, "Miss

Hestia tense

behalf of