Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE WAS NO LONGER SAFE
Victoria Haynes was arrested that evening.
So was Margaret Caldwell.
The charges would take months to sort through.
Financial crimes.
Conspiracy.
Unlawful access to medical information.
Evidence related to Lily’s disappearance.
The newspapers called it the collapse of two dynasties.
Rosa called it Tuesday.
Because Lily still needed dinner.
A bath.
Her favorite bedtime story.
And exactly three kisses on her forehead before she would sleep.
The mansion had never felt less important.
After Lily finally drifted off, Rosa packed a bag.
Ethan found her folding clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“Going home.”
He looked genuinely stunned.
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“After what happened?”
“Especially after what happened.”
“Rosa, your apartment address is public.”
“I know.”
“Reporters are outside.”
“I know.”
“And Victoria’s associates are still being investigated.”
“I know.”
“Then why would you leave?”
Rosa stopped packing.
“Because this isn’t my home.”
Ethan looked around the guest suite.
“It could be.”
She looked at him.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Turn fear into a reason for us to live together.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Then what are you doing?”
Ethan opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Rosa nodded.
“Exactly.”
He sat on the edge of a chair.
“I don’t know how to do this.”
“Neither do I.”
“I lost three years.”
“I lived them.”
He flinched.
Rosa softened.
“I’m not trying to punish you.”
“I know.”
“I need my life back.”
“My apartment.”
“My routine.”
“My choices.”
“You can have all of that.”
“Not if I stay here.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
“What about Lily?”
“You can see her.”
“How often?”
Rosa smiled faintly.
“You sound like we’re negotiating a custody agreement.”
“Maybe I’m terrified you’ll give me three hours every other weekend.”
“I won’t.”
His shoulders relaxed.
“We’ll figure it out.”
The next morning, Ethan personally drove them home.
No convoy.
No photographers.
Just one black SUV and a security vehicle at a distance.
Rosa’s apartment was small.
Two bedrooms.
A narrow kitchen.
Children’s drawings taped to the refrigerator.
Books stacked everywhere.
Ethan stood in the doorway.
For the first time, he saw the life his daughter had lived.
A tiny pair of shoes.
A height chart marked on the wall.
Photographs from birthdays.
Lily wearing a paper crown.
Lily covered in spaghetti sauce.
Lily sleeping beside Rosa.
Ethan stared too long.
Rosa noticed.
“You okay?”
“No.”
She nodded.
“Fair.”
Lily grabbed his hand.
“My room.”
She dragged him down the hallway.
Ethan entered.
Pink blanket.
Stuffed animals.
A plastic keyboard on the floor.
He crouched beside it.
“You had a piano.”
Lily nodded proudly.
“Mama bought it.”
Rosa leaned against the doorway.
“Seventeen dollars at a thrift store.”
Ethan pressed one key.
It squeaked.
Lily laughed.
“Good piano.”
“The best.”
Ethan spent the afternoon assembling a puzzle with her.
He was terrible at it.
Lily informed him repeatedly.
When it was time to leave, she hugged him.
“Tomorrow?”
Ethan looked at Rosa.
She nodded.
“Tomorrow.”
He kissed Lily’s hair.
Then he walked toward the door.
Rosa followed.
“Ethan.”
He turned.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For letting me leave.”
His expression hurt.
“I never want you to stay because you’re afraid to go.”
Rosa watched him walk away.
That sentence stayed with her all night.
The next morning, a delivery arrived.
She expected flowers.
Maybe toys.
Something expensive.
Instead, there was one cardboard box.
Inside were her old Columbia textbooks.
Her notebooks.
Her research papers.
And a university application.
On top was a handwritten note from Ethan.
YOU DIDN’T LOSE YOUR FUTURE.
SOMEONE INTERRUPTED IT.
FINISH IT WHEN YOU’RE READY.
May you like
Rosa sat on the kitchen floor and cried.
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