Chapter 2 - THE LITTLE BOY WHO REACHED FOR HER
Sophia tried to leave.
Alejandro stopped her at the lounge door.
“Wait.”
She turned.
“What?”
“I want to thank you.”
“You already did.”
“No. I didn't.”
He reached into his jacket.
Sophia stiffened.
Alejandro noticed.
He slowly removed his wallet.
Then placed several bills on the table.
Sophia looked at them.
Five hundred dollars.
Maybe more.
She shook her head.
“No.”
Alejandro frowned.
“You helped my son.”
“I know.”
“Then take it.”
She looked at him.
“Leo isn't a problem someone needs to pay me to solve.”
Silence.
Alejandro's expression changed.
Sophia continued.
“He was overwhelmed. The room was too loud. The lights were too bright. He needed a quieter place and someone willing to listen.”
Alejandro looked toward the sleeping boy.
“I tried.”
Sophia's voice softened.
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“Nothing worked.”
“Sometimes children need us to stop asking them to be okay before they are.”
Alejandro looked at her.
For the first time, Sophia saw something beneath the frightening reputation.
Exhaustion.
Guilt.
And a father who had no idea how to reach his child.
“Does he have someone who helps him with sensory difficulties?” she asked.
Alejandro nodded.
“His pediatrician has referred us to specialists. We're still learning what he needs.”
“Good.”
Sophia smiled faintly.
“Then keep learning.”
Alejandro studied her.
“Do you have children?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
Sophia hesitated.
“My grandmother raised me. She worked with children.”
It was partly true.
Her grandmother had cared for children.
But she had also spent years hiding one.
Sophia.
Alejandro looked toward Silas.
“Have someone drive Miss Brooks home.”
Sophia immediately shook her head.
“No.”
Alejandro frowned.
“It's late.”
“I know how to get home.”
“Manhattan isn't safe at this hour.”
Sophia almost laughed.
Neither was he.
“I'll manage.”
She left before he could argue.
But as she reached the service corridor, she heard Leo's sleepy voice.
“Papa?”
Alejandro answered softly.
“Yes, little lion?”
“Where's the singing lady?”
Sophia stopped.
Alejandro said something she couldn't hear.
Then Leo whispered, “She made the scary things quiet.”
Sophia pressed a hand against her chest.
For one dangerous moment, she wanted to turn around.
Instead, she kept walking.
Because she had already made one mistake.
May you like
She had sung the song.
And now Alejandro Duca was looking for the woman she had spent seven years pretending not to be.
