The grand ballroom of the Ashford Estate was glowing under dozens of crystal chandeliers.
Golden light danced off marble floors while wealthy guests chatted in expensive silk gowns and tuxedos.
Clara sat comfortably near the middle of the room in her motorized wheelchair.
She adjusted the folds of her deep green dress while listening to the quiet classical music playing nearby.
Her husband, Julian, stood proudly right beside her shoulder.
Julian smiled warmly and greeted every important guest who walked past their small circle.
He held a high position as the chief executive officer of the family financial firm.
Clara had survived a terrible car crash six years ago that stole her memories.
She remembered very little about her early life before the accident happened on that rainy night.
Julian had been there to care for her through every step of her long medical recovery.
He managed her rich family estate and protected her from any stress that might hurt her health.
Clara appreciated his constant care, even though a quiet empty feeling remained deep inside her heart.
Suddenly, the soft ambient noise of the party fell completely quiet near the front entrance doors.
A young boy in an oversized green hoodie walked slowly past the heavy velvet curtains.
His hair was messy, and his small sneakers left dusty prints across the polished marble floor.
The security guards stepped forward immediately to block the little intruder from moving any further.
However, the boy darted quickly between two guests to reach Clara's wheel chair.
Julian stepped forward instantly and put his hand out to block the child's path.
Julian: Step back from her right now!
The boy stopped in his tracks and looked up with wide, tearful eyes.
He did not look angry or mean at all.
Leo: I am not trying to hurt her.
Julian: You have got nerve coming in here. Do you even know who she is?
Clara: Wait, Julian!
Clara raised her hand gently to stop her husband from pushing the young boy away.
She felt a strange, fast thud inside her chest the moment she looked into his brown eyes.
The boy stepped closer until he was standing directly in front of her metal footrest.
Leo: I just need you to let me hold your hand... because you used to hold mine.
Clara froze as a cold shiver ran all the way down her back.
She reached her right arm out slowly toward the nervous child.
Leo: My mother said if I ever found the lady with the green eyes...
The boy reached out his small, dirty palm to touch her fingers.
Leo: ...and the scar by her wrist...
Julian gasped in panic and reached down to pull the boy back by his shoulder.
Julian: What are you talking about?
Leo: ...I should ask her for my hand back.
Clara gasped loudly as the boy's warm fingers finally wrapped around her own.