I took a job bathing a paralyzed billionaire because my children were starving and I had no other choice. I told myself it was only work, only a…
“A while ago.”
My heart began pounding.
Christopher looked suddenly nervous.
I had never seen him nervous.
“Rachel.”
“Yes?”
“I spent years believing everything good in my life came with a price.”
He looked toward the mansion.
“Money.”
“Power.”
“Loyalty.”
“Even survival.”
His eyes returned to mine.
“Then you walked into my room because you needed a paycheck and somehow became the first person in years who never wanted anything from me except answers.”
I smiled.
“I wanted the paycheck too.”
He laughed.
“Fair.”
Then he became serious.
“I love your children.”
My throat tightened.
“I love your brother, even when he threatens to throw me out windows.”
“He likes you.”
“He has an odd way of showing it.”
“That’s Ryan.”
Christopher took a breath.
“And I love you.”
Everything went quiet.
I looked at the man I had once feared.
The man whose necklace had reopened the deepest wound of my life.
The man who had carried my brother’s secret for seventeen years.
The man who had been broken physically, morally, emotionally—and had spent years trying to rebuild.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
He smiled.
Then his knee buckled.
I caught him.
“Romantic,” I said.
“Extremely.”
“Do billionaires usually fall over during declarations of love?”
“Only the charming ones.”
I laughed against his shoulder.
We married the following spring.
Small ceremony.
Family only.
Ryan walked me down the aisle.
Brandon carried the rings.
Emma threw so many flower petals that the floor disappeared beneath them.
Mrs. Alvarez cried harder than anyone.
Christopher walked the final six steps without crutches.
Everyone stood.
Afterward, he whispered, “I practiced for three months.”
I kissed him.
“I know.”
“How?”
“Mrs. Alvarez tells me everything.”
“Traitor.”
Five years have passed since the day I first entered Bennett House.
Brandon is thirteen now.
He plays baseball and insists he will make the major leagues.
Emma is ten and wants to become a veterinarian, a fashion designer, and possibly president.
Ryan lives twenty minutes away.
He visits constantly.
Too constantly, according to Christopher.
Marcus remains in prison.
The criminal companies were dismantled.
