Chapter 12 - THE DAY THE PAINT CAME BACK
Emma turned four in the spring.
Her birthday party took place in the mansion's garden.
There were balloons.
Cupcakes.
A small inflatable castle.
And a table covered with art supplies.
Alessandro arrived carrying a wrapped box.
Emma ran toward him.
“Flower man!”
He laughed.
“Happy birthday, Picasso.”
She opened the gift.
Inside was a professional children's watercolor set.
Brushes.
Paper.
A small wooden easel.
Emma gasped.
“For me?”
Alessandro nodded.
“For you.”
She hugged him.
Sophia watched from nearby.
Her eyes filled.
Later, Emma insisted Alessandro sit for a portrait.
He agreed.
She painted him with a purple hat.
Green shoes.
A yellow dog.
And a giant blue butterfly floating above his head.
Alessandro studied the picture.
“Is that supposed to be me?”
Emma nodded proudly.
“You're happy now.”
He looked at her.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
Sophia approached.
“Thank you.”
Alessandro looked up.
“For what?”
“For making her feel safe.”
He shook his head.
“She made me feel safe first.”
Their eyes met.
Something quiet passed between them.
But Alessandro understood the imbalance of their positions.
He was still Sophia's employer.
She still depended on the household for income.
So he did not pursue her romantically.
Instead, he focused on changing his life and ensuring Sophia had genuine independence.
Months later, Sophia accepted a position at a community preschool.
She moved with Emma into a small apartment nearby.
Alessandro helped arrange a smooth transition but respected her decision to live independently.
The day she left, Emma hugged him.
“Will you forget me?”
Alessandro knelt.
“Never.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
Then she pressed a yellow flower sticker onto his cheek.
“For when you get sad.”
May you like
He laughed through tears.
And kept the sticker there until bedtime.
