Chapter 9 - THE FIRST TIME I ASKED HER TO STAY
Sofia turned five in October.
Her birthday party took place in a community art center.
Not my estate.
Maria's rule.
Normal children.
Normal cake.
Normal chaos.
I attended without security inside.
Caleb sat in a car outside and hated everything.
Sofia opened presents.
Paint.
Books.
A toy doctor kit.
Then she gave me something.
My own gift.
A drawing.
Three figures.
Maria.
Sofia.
Me.
I stared.
“Where's your father?”
She pointed upward.
A yellow star.
“Daddy's there.”
My throat tightened.
“And me?”
She pointed to the tall black-stick figure.
“You're here.”
Simple.
No replacement.
No confusion.
Here.
Maria watched me.
Later, after Sofia fell asleep at her grandmother's house, Maria and I walked outside.
Cold night.
“I need to tell you something.”
She immediately said:
“No.”
I frowned.
“You don't know what.”
“You have proposal face.”
“What is proposal face?”
“Terrifyingly sincere.”
“I am not proposing.”
“Good.”
I breathed.
“I love you.”
Maria stopped walking.
That was worse, apparently.
“Daniel.”
“You don't have to say anything.”
“Good.”
“I am practicing.”
She looked at me.
“You picked a terrible moment to practice.”
“I waited ten months.”
“That's not what I mean.”
She folded her arms.
“I love you too.”
My brain stopped working.
Maria smiled.
“But.”
Of course.
“I am not moving into the estate.”
“I didn't ask.”
“Yet.”
“Fair.”
“I don't want your money.”
“I know.”
“I won't work for you.”
“I know.”
“And Sofia does not become Hale property because you love us.”
That one hurt because I understood why she needed to say it.
“Never.”
Maria studied me.
Then stepped closer.
“Okay.”
“Okay what?”
“You can kiss me.”
I nearly laughed.
Permission.
Choice.
Things I had once considered weakness.
I kissed her.
Slowly.
No cameras.
May you like
No guards.
No transaction.
