“I won’t pay your tuition.”
She looked surprised.
“But?”
“I’ll offer you a different job.”
“What?”
“Private educational assistant.”
She frowned.
“You already hired me as a housekeeper.”
“I know.”
“I’m not qualified to be their therapist.”
“I’m not asking you to be.”
“Then what?”
“Help me establish a routine.”
Luía considered it.
“That’s different.”
“Yes.”
“And you’ll pay me more?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
He told her.
Her eyes widened.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I can afford it.”
“That’s not the point.”
“What is?”
“You’re trying to buy a solution.”
Ricardo stared at her.
She was right.
He hated that she was right.
“I don’t know what else to do.”
Luía softened.
“Then learn.”
The word stayed with him.
Learn.
Not hire.
Not replace.
Not outsource.
Learn.
That evening, Ricardo sat at the dining table with all six girls.
He asked each one to tell him one thing they missed about Claris.
