Maria had just returned from taking Junior to the new school nearby. The school fees were already paid—another quiet gesture from Alexander. She hadn't thanked him yet. She wasn't sure if she was ready.
As she stepped into the elevator of the apartment complex, the doors were about to close when a hand reached in.
They opened again.
Alexander.
Dressed in grey slacks and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, he looked more relaxed than usual. Less CEO, more… human.
Maria's breath caught.
He stepped in silently, and the elevator doors shut.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then, he broke the silence. "I didn't know you'd be here this early."
"I live here now," she said, her tone neutral. "That's what you wanted, isn't it?"
"No," he replied softly. "I just wanted you safe. Comfortable."
She looked away, arms folded. "Well. You've done that. You can go back to your world now."
He stepped closer, but not too close. "Maria… I know you think this is guilt. Or control. But it's not. I missed five years of my son's life. I want to know him. And I want to know you—the woman I never took the time to understand."
The elevator dinged. Her floor.
She stepped out. He didn't follow.
She paused, turned slightly. "He likes drawing. And boiled eggs."
His eyes lit up. "Thank you."
She nodded and walked away, heart pounding.
Inside her apartment, Maria leaned on the door and exhaled.
She hated that he still affected her. She hated even more that she didn't entirely hate it.
And somewhere deep inside, a seed was growing.
Not love.
Not yet.
But something that might one day become it.