Chapter 16 - AFTER THE STORMSix months passed.
Elena's life became quieter.
She liked that.
Her new job gave her a small office with a window overlooking the city.
Nobody called her “the housekeeper.”
Nobody whispered about Damian Cross.
Nobody cared about Vanessa Hale.
At least, that's what Elena told herself.
Mia adjusted faster.
Children often did.
She made new friends.
Started preschool.
Learned how to write her name.
And every Friday, she asked the same question.
“Is Damian coming tomorrow?”
Elena would smile.
“Probably.”
Mia would nod.
“Good.”
Damian never announced his visits.
He simply appeared.
Sometimes with flowers.
Sometimes with books.
Once with an enormous stuffed rabbit.
Mia loved that one.
Elena noticed something else.
Damian no longer tried to rescue her.
He asked before helping.
He listened.
He respected boundaries.
And slowly, painfully, something changed between them.
Not romance.
Not yet.
Something more fragile.
Trust.
One evening, Damian stood outside Elena's apartment.
“I have something to tell you.”
She opened the door wider.
“What happened?”
“Nothing bad.”
He hesitated.
“The board offered me a position in London.”
Elena's expression changed.
“For how long?”
“One year.”
Mia appeared behind her.
“Are you going away?”
Damian crouched.
“I might.”
Mia frowned.
“Who said you could?”
Damian smiled.
“I suppose nobody.”
She crossed her arms.
“Then don't.”
Elena laughed.
But Damian didn't.
May you like
Because he was looking at Elena.
And Elena suddenly realized that leaving might be harder for him than staying.
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