CHAPTER 3 — The Woman Who Cleaned His First Life
Maria expected to be fired.
That was the only logical outcome.
She had crossed an invisible line that people like Victoria enforced without needing permission.
But Daniel didn’t dismiss her.
He didn’t raise his voice.
Instead, he asked:
“How long has she been here?”
Maria hesitated.
“Two hours,” she said. “I didn’t have anyone to watch her tonight.”
Victoria scoffed. “That’s not his responsibility.”
Daniel didn’t look at her.
“Whose responsibility is it, then?”
No one answered.
Because the question was inconvenient.
Maria tightened her hold on Sophia.
“I can leave,” she said quickly. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Daniel finally looked at her fully.
And something in his expression softened—not pity, but understanding.
“I know you didn’t mean harm,” he said.
Victoria blinked. “Daniel—”
He raised a hand slightly.
Not aggressive.
Just absolute.
“Not now.”
That stopped her.
Because it had never happened before.
Daniel turned toward the kitchen doors.
“Come with me,” he said to Maria.
She hesitated. “Sir?”
“Not as staff,” he clarified.
A pause.
Then he added something quieter.
“As someone I need to understand what just happened here.”
May you like
That sentence changed everything.
Not because it was kind.
