Chapter 11 - THE WOMAN WHO TAUGHT HIM TO STAY
Mara and Mateo began spending more time together.
Not in grand restaurants.
Not at expensive parties.
But in the conservatory.
They worked side by side.
Repaired planters.
Organized community programs.
And argued about whether roses needed more sunlight.
Mateo was terrible at gardening.
Mara found this endlessly amusing.
One afternoon, he planted a rosebush upside down.
Mara stared.
"Mateo."
He looked up.
"What?"
"Roots go down."
He looked at the plant.
Then at her.
"That explains a lot."
She burst out laughing.
He smiled.
He loved that sound.
But Mara remained cautious.
One evening, she told him:
"I won't let Ruby become attached to someone who disappears."
Mateo nodded.
"I understand."
She looked at him.
"Do you?"
He considered.
"Not completely."
Mara smiled faintly.
"That's an honest answer."
He continued.
"But I want to learn."
She studied him.
"Then start by being consistent."
Mateo nodded.
"I can do that."
And he did.
He showed up.
Not only when it was convenient.
Not only when he felt strong.
He attended Ruby's school gardening exhibition.
He helped repair a broken shelf in Mara's office.
He remembered birthdays.
He listened.
And slowly, Mara began trusting him.
May you like
Not because he was powerful.
But because he stayed.
