Billionaire Pretends to Be a HOMELESS SINGLE FATHER to Find True Love

Then why are you packing your bags?  Because I can’t keep doing this.  Doing what?  Pretending I’m happy living with a man whose entire life revolves around his daughter.  She’s my daughter.  I know.  Then what’s the problem?  Ryan, you’re a billionaire. You could have any woman you want.  But I want you.

 It’s not that simple.  I don’t want any [music] woman. I want you.  If not for your money, do you really think I would put up with a man with a child?  You don’t have to put up with anything. You said you loved Lily.  I said I was trying.  She heard you say that.  Ryan, I’m not going to spend [music] my life raising someone else’s child.

 She’s not someone else’s child. She’s mine.  And that’s exactly the problem.  Then go.  You’ll regret choosing a child over a woman.  I’d regret choosing a woman over my [music] child.  Daddy?  Lily.  Is she leaving?  Yes.  Did I do something wrong?  No, sweetheart.  Then why does everyone leave?  I don’t know.

 Will you leave, too?  Never.  Daddy, why doesn’t anyone want to be my mother?  Because some people don’t [music] understand how lucky they would be.  Maybe they don’t like me.  Don’t ever say that.  Then why did she say you should choose between me and her?  Because she didn’t understand.  What did Mommy understand?  Your mother [music] understood that love means staying.

 I miss Mommy.  I miss her, too.  Will you ever love someone again?  Only if she loves you first. Mom, how long have you been standing there?  Long enough.  I’m leaving, Mom. Both of us.  Leaving where?  I’m going to disappear. [music] No name, no money. I need to know if a woman can love Lily before she knows what we have.

 And if you find her?  Then Lily gets a mother [music] who chose her first.  Are you sure, son?  Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be fine. You need to go sleep.  Your lawyer is waiting downstairs. [music]  Cancel everything.  Everything?  I’m leaving.  Where?  Somewhere nobody knows Ryan Carter.  You’re the CEO of Carter Holdings.

[music]  Exactly.  And what are you planning to do?  Find out if anyone can love a man who has nothing.  You’re talking about another test?  Not just me this time.  Lily?  If a woman can’t accept my daughter when she thinks I’m poor, she doesn’t deserve either of us when she discovers I’m rich.  What if you actually find someone?  Then I’ll tell her the truth.

 And if she hates you for lying?  I’ll deserve it. Lily, stay close to me.  Are we really homeless?  For now.  This doesn’t feel like one of our vacations.  It’s not.  Are you scared?  A little.  You’re never scared.  I’ve never had to find out who people really are.  Daddy, I’m hungry.  Let’s see if we can find somewhere to eat.

 Good afternoon. What can I get for you?  How much is the cheapest [music] meal?  $3.  I only have two.  That’s okay.  I’ll just take [music] something for my daughter.  What’s her name?  Lily.  Lily, what do you like?  Pancakes.  Then pancakes it is.  I said I only have $2.  I heard you.

 I can’t pay for that.  Then don’t.  Why?  Because she’s hungry.  You don’t even know us.  I don’t need to know someone’s whole story before [music] helping a hungry child.  I’ll pay you back.  If you ever can.  And if I can’t?  Then just make sure Lily remembers someone was kind to her. I’ll get that right out for you.

 Thank you.  Maya, a word.  [music]  Harold, I was just  Chatting while tables sit dirty.  They needed help.  You gave that man’s kid a free plate. Do it again, your pay gets cut in half.  Miss Maya?  Yes?  Are those your pancakes?  They were.  Why aren’t you [music] eating?  I’m not very hungry.

 Maya, you haven’t eaten.  I’m fine.  You gave her your own breakfast.  She’s a child.  You could have given her something else.  I could have.  Why didn’t you?  Because sometimes you have to give the thing you would rather keep.  Who taught you that?  My mother.  She must be proud of you.

 She is.  Daddy, can Maya be my friend?  I think she already is.  I’d like that. You’re still here.  We’re fine.  I didn’t ask if you were fine.  It’s just for tonight. We’ll figure something out.  You don’t have to sleep outside [music] tonight.  What?  My brother has an old room above the diner. It’s empty.

 Maya, you don’t know me.  That’s true.  Then why would you do this?  Because every time I ask you something, you look at her before you answer.  Thank you.  Don’t thank me yet. You still have to convince me you’re not [music] going to break anything.  I’ll try.  Come on.  Maya?  Yes, sweetheart?  Do you have a family?  My mother.

 Where is your father?  He left when I was little.  Did he leave because of you?  No, sweetheart. It  Daddy always tells me people leave because they don’t know what they’re losing.  Your daddy sounds very wise.  He’s actually very rich.  Lilly.  What?  Remember what we talked about?  Oh, sorry.

 It’s okay.  She’s been through a lot.  So have you.  How can you tell?  Because people who have never been hurt don’t protect their hearts that carefully. You’re quiet tonight.  I’m thinking.  About what?  You.  Me?  I don’t understand you.  What’s so difficult?  You keep helping us when you have [music] nothing to gain.

 Should kindness always come with a reward?  Most people think it should.  Then maybe most people are tired.  What do you want from life?  A peaceful home, a happy family, people who don’t leave when life becomes difficult.  What if the man already [music] had a child?  Then the child would be part of the family.

 Just like that?  [music]  If I love the man, how could I tell his child they aren’t part of my heart?  You really mean that?  Of course.  You have no idea what that means to me. I brought breakfast.  You didn’t have to do that.  I know.  Maya, I don’t want you stressing yourself over us.  Who said I was stressed?  This, all of it.

 I’ll figure something out. I’ll find work.  Harold’s actually short-staffed.  Harold? You think he’d take someone like me?  Someone’s got to wash those dishes. Come down when Lilly wakes up. I’ll introduce Harold, this [music] is Daniel. He’s looking for work. He He said you were short-staffed.  Short-staffed, not desperate.  I’ll do whatever you need.

 Dishes, stock, cleaning. I know your type. Sleep in the alley, work a shift, disappear [music] with the till. I understand. Try me.  Dishes and stock, 6:00 to close.  [music]  Yes, sir.  Third of what I pay the others.  Harold, that’s not fair. He’d be doing the same work  Maya, whose diner is this?  Yours.

 Then let me run it. You didn’t call me like I instructed you.  I’ve been busy. Kindly make your order. I have a lot of people to attend to.  Maya, who’s that creep looking at us?  His name is Daniel.  He looks homeless.  He’s a father.  Same thing. You could do better.  Better than what?  Better than struggling with a man who can’t even afford dinner.

 You seem very interested in my life.  Because I care about you.  Then respect my choices.  You’re making a mistake.  Maybe, but it’s mine to make.  Have dinner with me tonight.  No.  Just dinner, Maya.  I said no.  You’d rather waste your time on a man with nothing.  That’s not your business.

 Make it my business.  Let go of me.  I’m not finished talking.  Derek, you’re hurting me.  She said let go.  Who do you think you are?  Someone telling you to get out.  This isn’t over. Are you okay?  I think so.  I need you to find out who a man is.  Goes by Daniel, works at a diner on 5th.

 There was something in the way he looked at me. Like he had nothing to lose. Find out who he really is, whatever [music] it costs.  Maya, why are you crying?  I’m not crying.  You are.  My mother’s medical bill came today.  Is she sick?  Yes.  Will she be okay?  I hope so.  Hey. Lyle told me about your mother.

 How much do you need?  Don’t worry about it.  Maya.  I’ve handled things before.  You helped us when you couldn’t afford to.  Because you needed help.  And now you [music] need help.  I’ll manage.  Why won’t you let anyone help you?  Because I don’t want people to love me because they feel sorry for me.

 What if someone helped [music] because they loved you?  Then I’d probably be too afraid to believe them.  Marcus. I need something handled tonight.  Whatever you need.  A woman named Grace Brooks, [music] Maya’s mother. There’s a medical bill.  I’ll need the hospital.  St. Agnes. I don’t know the amount.

 Doesn’t matter. It’ll be handled by morning. It can’t come from me, not directly.  The foundation accounts, [music] no name attached. Thank you, Marcus.  You really care about [music] this one.  Yeah, I do.  He’s been washing dishes for a third of minimum wage.  Apparently so. Why would a man like that pretend to have [music] nothing? That wasn’t in my scope.

 You paid me to find out who he is, not why. So, that’s the game.  The hospital called.  What did they say?  The bill’s paid. All of it.  That’s incredible, Maya.  They said an anonymous donor, some foundation. My mother’s going to be okay.  She’s going to be okay.  [laughter]  Thank you for everything.

 For giving Lily a home here. For giving me someone to talk to.  You gave me a chance when you didn’t have to. That’s more than I’ve gotten from anyone in a long time.  Maybe you and Lily are my angels.  Maybe you’re ours. Hi, Maya.  I’m busy, Derek. I don’t want any trouble.  Hey, I I was just looking out for you.

Maya, did you really think Daniel was homeless? Who knows what a creepy man like that wants?  What are you talking about?  Ask him who Ryan Carter is.  Who?  The billionaire.  Stop playing games.  Your homeless boyfriend is Ryan Carter.  That’s impossible.  Ask him.  Ryan?  Maya.  Who are you?  I’m Ryan Carter.

 The billionaire?  Yes.  And Daniel?  Was the name I used.  So, every conversation was a test?  At first.  At first?  Then I fell in love with you.  You don’t get to say that after lying to [music] me.  I was afraid.  Of what?  That you’d love my money and tolerate my daughter.  Tolerate her?  That’s what every woman before you did.

 And you thought I was going to be like them? You should have trusted me.  You’re right.  I gave you my food.  I know.  I gave you a room.  I know.  I loved your daughter.  I know.  And you were watching me the whole time. [music]  I’m sorry.  I need you to leave.  Maya, wait.  Please leave, too.

 Daddy, why isn’t Maya coming back?  She needs time.  Did you tell her the truth?  Yes.  Oh. Then why did she leave?  Because I lied.  But you love her.  I do. She doesn’t want to hear it.  Maybe she just wants you to prove it.  How?  Mommy used to say sorry isn’t [music] enough when someone is hurt.

 Your mother was right.  Why are you here? And did you pay my mother’s bills?  Yes.  I told you I don’t want your money.  It isn’t my money.  Then whose is it?  A foundation I started.  Why?  Because you taught me something.  What?  That helping someone shouldn’t be about what you get back.

 Ryan.  I’m not asking [music] you to forgive me.  Because I promised Lily I wouldn’t give up on the family I found. You don’t get to call us a family.  Not yet.  Then what do you want?  A chance to earn the trust I destroyed.  What if I never trust you again?  Maya, you’re making a huge mistake.

 I’m not interested.  He’s a billionaire. He lied to you.  I know.  Then why are you still defending him?  Because you don’t understand.  Understand what?  He lied because he was afraid nobody would love his daughter.  That’s an excuse.  Maybe.  You deserve someone better.  I don’t need someone richer.

 Then what do you need?  Someone who understands that love isn’t about what a person owns.  And you think that’s Ryan? You came.  Lily asked me to.  She missed you.  I missed her, [music] too.  Maya, I can’t undo what I did.  No, you [music] can’t.  But I can spend the rest of my life being honest.

 Why me?  Because you gave my daughter your food when you couldn’t afford another meal.  Anyone should have [music] done that.  But not everyone did.  Ryan, I was angry.  You had every right to be.  I thought everything between us was fake.  The disguise was [music] fake.  And the love?  Never.

 How do I know?  Because when you walked away, I didn’t miss the waitress who helped me. I missed the woman who made my daughter feel loved.  You really love her that much?  She’s my heart.  Then I don’t want to take your heart away from you.  You never could.  Maybe that’s what I was afraid of.  [music]  Afraid of what? I was falling in love with both of you.

 Maya, are you staying?  If your father behaves.  I’ll behave.  Promise?  I promise.  Ryan, there’s something I need to tell you.  What?  I don’t care about your penthouse. I don’t care about your penthouse.  Good.  I don’t care about your cars.  Even better.  I don’t care about your billions.

 Then what do you care [music] about?  You.  Maya?  And Lily.  You don’t know what that means to me.  I think I do.  [snorts]  Then let me ask [music] you something.  I’m listening.  Will you marry me?  Ryan, you already know the answer.  I want to hear it anyway.  Yes.  Does that mean you’re my mommy now?  Only if you’ll have me.

 I’ve been waiting for you.  So have I.  You know, you went looking for someone who would love you without your money.  I did.  And what did you find?  A woman who loved my daughter before she knew [music] I was rich.  And a man who finally learned that true wealth isn’t what you have.  It’s who stays.

 Exactly. So we’re a family now?  Yes, sweetheart.  A real family. Then I don’t need anything else.  Neither do I.