Chapter 7 - Earning His Keep
Julian didn't just come back to Ohio; he moved there.
He rented a small, modest apartment down the street from the bakery. At first, I refused to let him near the children. But Julian didn't push. He just showed up.
Every morning at 4:00 AM, he was outside the bakery, helping me unload heavy sacks of flour. The billionaire who used to fire people for bringing him the wrong coffee was now sweeping my floors and wiping down counters.
He didn't try to buy me with gifts. He tried to buy my trust with effort.
One afternoon, Maya fell and scraped her knee on the sidewalk outside the bakery. Before I could even run out, Julian was there. He knelt on the concrete, not caring about his slacks, and gently scooped her up.
May you like
"It's okay, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice incredibly soft as she cried against his shoulder. "I've got you. You're safe."
I watched through the glass window, my heart aching. Leo and Sam ran over, clinging to Julian's legs. He didn't look like a CEO. He looked like a father. And for the first time, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, people could change.
