You laugh once, short and disbelieving, because you don’t know what else to do with that kind of courage.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” you ask, and your pride tries to mask the tremor in your voice.
“Because you hired me to care for Sofía,” she says softly.
“I didn’t want to cross lines.”
You stare at her, realizing you’ve built your empire by crossing every line that ever tried to cage you.
“If you can help me walk,” you say, “then there are no lines between us that matter.”
Marina’s cheeks flush, and for a second the room feels too small for the electricity between you.
Then your phone rings, and the past decides to kick the door down.