Chapter 8 - THE HOUSE WITHOUT CAMERAS
Gabriel removed the cameras.
Not all security.
He wasn't insane.
Exterior surveillance remained.
Entrances.
Gates.
Restricted offices.
But the playroom cameras came down.
The nursery hallway.
The family dining room.
Gone.
Jonathan asked whether that was wise.
Gabriel answered:
“I want my daughters to grow up in a home, not evidence.”
Lily's medical team changed.
This time Emma helped interview them.
Gabriel pretended she didn't.
Nobody believed him.
The new physical therapist, Dr. Naomi Chen, immediately liked Emma's approach.
“She needs structured therapy,” Naomi explained, “but she also needs play, autonomy and confidence.”
Gabriel looked at Emma.
“Don't.”
She smiled.
“I didn't say anything.”
“You're thinking loudly.”
Lily progressed.
Slowly.
Some weeks she walked farther.
Some weeks pain and fatigue pushed her back toward the walker.
Nobody called those weeks failures.
Sophia began using the walker too.
Not because she needed it.
Because twins apparently considered medical equipment communal property.
Lily objected violently.
Normal sibling behavior delighted Gabriel more than it should have.
Emma stayed.
Her mother improved enough to move into assisted living nearby.
Gabriel offered to pay.
Emma refused.
He offered again.
She threatened to quit.
He stopped offering.
Mostly.
Their relationship changed quietly.
Coffee left outside her door.
Conversations after the twins slept.
Emma teaching him to make pancakes.
Gabriel producing something resembling burned architecture.
Then one evening he kissed her.
Emma kissed him back.
Then pushed him away.
“No.”
Gabriel stared.
“That seemed contradictory.”
“It was.”
“Explain.”
“You're my employer.”
He hated reasonable obstacles.
“So?”
“So I will not become the maid sleeping with the billionaire who signs her paycheck.”
“I don't care what people think.”
“I do.”
That stopped him.
Emma continued.
“I spent years being reduced to how I look. Then I became household staff in a rich man's house. I will not build a relationship where I have to wonder whether I can say no because you own the roof over my head.”
Gabriel listened.
Actually listened.
The next morning, Emma found an envelope.
She almost threw it at him.
Inside was not money.
It was a termination agreement.
Full severance.
Housing for six months.
A letter of recommendation.
And an offer for a completely different job.
Director of an early-childhood accessibility foundation Gabriel was establishing in Alessandra's name.
Emma stared at him.
“You fired me?”
“Yes.”
“You are unbelievable.”
“You said you couldn't date your employer.”
“I didn't say fire me!”
“I solved the problem.”
“You created three new ones!”
Gabriel smiled.
She hated that smile.
Then she started laughing.
He did too.
Three months later, after Emma had moved into her own apartment and started her new job, she kissed him again.
May you like
This time she didn't stop.
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