Chapter 6 - The House Became a Home
Julieta stood in the foyer with the same suitcase.
Noah saw her first.
“Juju!”
He ran toward her.
Gianna followed.
Julieta dropped to her knees.
Both children crashed into her arms.
She laughed.
It was the first time I had heard her laugh.
Then she looked up at me.
“I haven't agreed permanently.”
“Understood.”
“This is a trial.”
“Understood.”
“I make decisions about their routine.”
“Fine.”
“You don't undermine me.”
“Fine.”
“And no hidden cameras in private rooms.”
I almost smiled.
“Already removed.”
Her expression softened.
“Good.”
Weeks passed.
Then months.
The estate changed.
Or maybe I did.
Julieta stopped calling me Mr. Verona.
Usually.
I came home earlier.
Usually.
I stopped holding business meetings during dinner.
Always.
One evening, I entered the kitchen and found Julieta feeding Gianna.
Noah sat in his high chair throwing peas.
“Your son is conducting an experiment,” Julieta said.
“What experiment?”
“How many peas fit inside a billionaire's shoe.”
I looked down.
Three peas sat inside my loafer.
“Noah.”
He laughed.
Julieta covered her mouth.
“You think this is funny?”
“Very.”
I removed my shoe.
Noah applauded.
I started laughing too.
The sound surprised me.
Julieta stared.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're staring.”
“I've never heard you laugh like that.”
“Neither have I.”
Silence settled between us.
Not uncomfortable.
Different.
Then the doorbell rang.
Marco entered.
“Detective Harris.”
The detective stepped into the kitchen.
“We got the final plea agreements.”
I stood.
“Kowalski?”
“Federal charges. He's not coming near your family for a very long time.”
“And Regina?”
“She cooperated. Still facing prison.”
I nodded.
Harris looked at Julieta.
“Ms. Marín, your testimony helped.”
“I only told the truth.”
“Sometimes that's enough.”
After he left, Julieta stood by the window.
“It's over?”
“Yes.”
“No more Kowalski?”
“No.”
“No Regina?”
“No.”
She exhaled.
I moved beside her.
“I owe you something.”
“You've apologized.”
“Not enough.”
“Emilio—”
“You saved my children.”
“I cared for them.”
“You stood between them and someone you believed was dangerous.”
She looked at me.
“Anyone would.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Not anyone.”
Our eyes met.
I wanted to kiss her.
I didn't.
Not then.
She worked for me.
She had already been placed in a position where my power had hurt her once.
I would not use it again.
So instead, I stepped back.
Months later, Julieta approached me in the library.
“I've been offered another job.”
My stomach dropped.
“Where?”
“Lake Forest.”
“Family?”
“Two children.”
I nodded slowly.
“When do you leave?”
She studied me.
“You aren't going to ask me to stay?”
“I want you to stay.”
“Then say it.”
I looked at her.
“Stay.”
“Why?”
There it was.
The question I had avoided for months.
I answered carefully.
“Because Noah loves you.”
She waited.
“Gianna loves you.”
Still waiting.
“And?”
I swallowed.
“And I love you.”
Silence.
Julieta stared at me.
“You're my employer.”
“Not anymore.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“What?”
“I transferred your employment contract to the family trust this morning. Marco manages it. Your salary and position are protected regardless of anything between us.”
She understood immediately.
“You planned this?”
“I wanted you to be free to say no.”
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she stepped closer.
“You're learning.”
“Slowly.”
“Very slowly.”
“Julieta.”
She smiled.
“Yes?”
“Are you saying no?”
She leaned closer.
“No.”
Then she kissed me.
From somewhere near the doorway, Marco muttered:
“Finally.”
I pulled away.
“Marco.”
He disappeared immediately.
Julieta laughed against my chest.
And for the first time since Catherine died, happiness didn't feel like betrayal.
May you like
It felt like permission to keep living.
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