Chapter 5 - The Price of Staying
Marina didn’t explain.
“My history isn’t something you get to use against me.”
Beatrice folded her arms.
“You were hired to provide stability.”
“And someone told six-year-old children they caused their mother’s death.”
“I never said that.”
Dante’s voice cut between them.
“They said you did.”
“They’re upset.
They misunderstand things.”
“Then explain what you said.”
For the first time, Beatrice looked uncertain.
“I told them their mother was trying to get to them.
That’s the truth.”
“You left them believing she died because they called for her.”
“I lost my sister, Dante.”
“And they lost their mother.”
The silence that followed felt old.
Marina understood then that nobody in this house had been allowed to grieve without making room for Beatrice first.
The next morning, Dante put their agreement in writing.
Working hours.
Days off.
Permission for Sofia to visit.
A commitment to arrange counseling for the boys.
Marina read every line.
“I also need a working key to any room the children can enter.”
He placed a ring of keys on the desk.
“And the west room?”
His hand stopped.
“That was Elena’s sitting room.”
“Then lock it properly.
The boys used it to hurt someone because nobody explained what it meant.”
Dante looked toward a photograph on his desk.
“I haven’t moved anything.”
“You don’t have to do it today.”
He nodded once.
At lunch, Gabriel placed his phone in front of Marina.
“The video’s deleted.”
“Thank you.”
“From the trash folder too.”
“That was the right thing to do.”
Rafael set a new bottle of shampoo beside it.
“I used my allowance.”
Miguel brought a towel.
It was folded badly.
Marina accepted it with both hands.
That afternoon, Sofia arrived with Rosa after school.
She took one look at the mansion and whispered, “Are we at your job or a museum?”
“Job.
Touch fewer things.”
Sofia grinned.
The boys watched her from the stairs.
Rafael pointed at her glasses.
“Why’s there tape?”
“Because they broke.”
“Why don’t you get new ones?”
Sofia shrugged.
“Why’d you dump water on somebody who was bringing you snacks?”
Gabriel choked on a laugh.
Marina covered her mouth.
For twenty minutes, the house sounded almost ordinary.
Then Beatrice came downstairs.
Her eyes settled on Sofia.
“I thought this was a workplace.”
“It is,” Dante said from his office doorway.
“And she’s welcome.”
Beatrice smiled.
It was the same smile Marina had heard in her voice on the first day.
May you like
That evening, Marina found a folded note inside her coat.
YOUR DAUGHTER DOESN’T BELONG HERE.
