Sofia’s Choice
Chapter 13 - Sofia’s Choice
Sofia expected to be fired anyway.
That was how power usually worked. Even when rich people apologized, staff became reminders of their shame. Reminders were inconvenient. Inconvenient people were reassigned, dismissed, paid to disappear.
So when Harrison asked to speak with her privately in the breakfast room, Sofia prepared herself.
He stood near the window, jacket removed, sleeves rolled once, looking less like a billionaire and more like a father who had not slept in months.
“I owe you an apology,” he said.
Sofia blinked.
“You trusted me with my daughter’s safety,” he continued, “and I made it too hard for you to reach me.”
“You were traveling, sir.”
“That is an explanation. Not an excuse.”
Sofia looked down at her hands. They were red from dishwater and nerves.
“I need this job,” she said, hating how small the words sounded.
Harrison’s face tightened. “You have it. With a raise, if you want to stay. If you do not, you will receive a full year’s severance and a written recommendation that tells the truth about your character.”
Sofia looked up.
No one had ever offered her a choice after hurting her.
“Miss Emma needs familiar people,” Sofia said.
“She needs safe people,” Harrison replied. “If staying makes you feel unsafe, I will not turn your kindness into another obligation.”
That sentence nearly broke her.
Sofia thought of Emma’s small hand reaching for hers, Mateo’s tuition, Caroline’s threat, the slap, the nursery door.
“I want to stay,” she said. “But not if she comes back.”
Harrison nodded.
May you like
“She won’t.”
For the first time that day, Sofia believed the room might mean what it said.
