After losing his wife in a tragic accident, Bernie is left to care for his 10-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea—the girl he loves like his own. But when child protective services deny him custody due to his unstable income as an artist, Bernie takes on three jobs just to prove he can provide for her.

After months of hard work and painful separation, Bernie is finally allowed to visit Andrea at the shelter—only to find out she’s gone. She was taken by a man claiming to be her biological father, someone Bernie believed had disappeared from their lives long ago. In a desperate search, Bernie and the police locate Andrea at the airport, about to board a flight with the man.

Bernie intervenes, ready to fight to keep Andrea, but is stunned when the man—Fred—hands over a birth certificate and shares his story.Fred had gone to prison when Andrea was a baby. Now a changed man, he explains he only came to say goodbye to the daughter he never got to know. He assures Bernie that Andrea belongs with him, the man who raised and protected her.

A month later, Bernie’s adoption of Andrea is finally approved. When they return home, Bernie finds that one of his paintings has sold, along with a handwritten note: “Thanks for protecting Andrea.” It’s unsigned—but Bernie knows exactly who sent it.