Ricardo immediately offered to drive her.
She refused.
“I’ll take the bus.”
“It’s two hours.”
“I’ll manage.”
He looked at her.
“Luía.”
She stopped.
“Let me help.”
This time, she didn’t argue.
At the hospital, they learned that Marta needed surgery.
Luía sat beside her mother, terrified.
Ricardo stayed outside.
He didn’t interfere.
He didn’t use his money to take control.
He simply waited.
Hours later, Luía came out crying.
“She’s going to be okay.”
Ricardo smiled.
“Good.”
She looked at him.
“You stayed.”
“I told you.”
“What?”
“Sometimes you just stay.”
Luía began crying again.
Ricardo hugged her.
It was the first time.
And neither noticed Mariana standing at the end of the hallway.
The girl watched them.
Then she smiled.
Later that night, Mariana asked Ricardo a question.
“Do you love her?”
He almost choked on his coffee.
“What?”
“Luía.”
“She’s our employee.”
