Chapter 12 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO SEE HER
Aleandro watched Sophia change.
She smiled more.
Laughed more.
Walked with a confidence he hadn't seen before.
She was still working at the estate.
But she no longer lowered her eyes when wealthy guests passed.
One evening, Aleandro found her in the garden.
Emma was asleep in a stroller.
“Beautiful night,” he said.
Sophia smiled.
“Yes.”
He sat beside her.
For a while, they watched the stars.
Then Aleandro said:
“I owe you an apology.”
Sophia looked at him.
“For what?”
“For not seeing you.”
She laughed softly.
“You saw me every day.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“I saw someone who worked for me.”
Sophia's smile faded.
He continued.
“I didn't see the woman raising a child alone. Or the daughter carrying grief. Or the person who deserved kindness.”
Sophia swallowed.
Aleandro looked away.
“I was arrogant.”
She smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
He laughed.
“Fair.”
Sophia looked at him.
For the first time, she saw something beneath his reputation.
May you like
A man trying to become better.
And perhaps, she thought, that was where love began.
