The little girl’s small hand was clenched into a fist. Slowly, with great effort, she opened her fingers… and held out something that sent a chill down Ivan’s spine.

In her palm lay a thin gold chain. At its end hung a small heart-shaped locket, cracked down the middle.

But it wasn’t the jewelry that shocked him the most.

Inside the locket was a photograph.

An old, faded picture, its edges worn with time.

It was him.

Ivan.

Younger, smiling. Beside him stood a woman he had once loved… and lost forever.

— What… what is this? — he whispered in disbelief.

The girl coughed weakly. Her chest rose with difficulty.

— Mister… — she murmured. — You’re… Ivan, right?

He stepped back as if struck by lightning.

— How do you know me? — he asked, his voice trembling.

She closed her eyes for a moment, exhausted.

— My mom… told me about you… — she whispered. — She said if anything ever happened to her… I had to find you…

Ivan’s hands began to shake.

— Your mother… who is she? — he asked hoarsely.

— Anna… — the girl replied softly.

His world collapsed.

He hadn’t heard that name in years.

— Is Anna… still alive? — he asked quietly.

The girl slowly shook her head.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

— No… an accident… hospital… I ran away… I wanted to find you…

A heavy pain tightened in Ivan’s chest.

He had left.

Thinking it was the right thing to do.

Never knowing he had left behind a child.

— Are you… my daughter? — he whispered.

She looked at him with big, frightened eyes.

— Mom said… you’re my dad…

Ivan pulled her into his arms at once.

— I’m sorry… I didn’t know… I swear… — he sobbed.

— I was afraid… you wouldn’t want me… — she cried softly.

— Never. I’ll never leave you again. I promise.

He quickly took out his phone.

— Please, send an ambulance… a child is injured…

Then he leaned closer to her.

— Stay with me. I’m here.

She gave a faint smile.

— Really…?

— Always, — he answered firmly.

In the distance, a siren began to sound.

And for the first time in many years, Ivan felt that life was giving him a second chance.

A chance to fix his mistakes.

A chance to be a father.

A chance to begin again.