Mateo Visits
Chapter 16 - Mateo Visits
Mateo Morales arrived at the penthouse one Saturday wearing his best shirt and the suspicious expression of a younger brother who expected rich people to insult him in expensive ways.
Sofia had resisted bringing him. Harrison insisted only once, then backed away. “Your family should know where you work if you want them to.”
So Mateo came.
Emma gave him a tour as if she owned the place, which, Harrison privately thought, she did more than anyone. She showed him the nursery, the puzzle shelf, the piano she did not play well, and the kitchen sink where “Sofia fought the scary lady.”
Sofia nearly dropped a plate. “Emma.”
“What? You did.”
Mateo looked at his sister.
Sofia had not told him everything. She never did. Older sisters are terrible about editing pain to protect younger brothers.
Harrison stepped in quietly. “Your sister protected my daughter when I failed to see what was happening. My family owes her more than wages.”
Mateo’s face changed.
He looked from Harrison to Sofia.
“You didn’t tell me.”
Sofia shrugged. “You had exams.”
Mateo stared at her in disbelief. “You got slapped by a rich villain and didn’t tell me because I had anatomy?”
Emma nodded solemnly. “She was very brave.”
Mateo turned back to Sofia, eyes wet despite the joke in his voice.
“You’re impossible.”
“So are you.”
They hugged near the marble island.
Harrison looked away to give them privacy.
Emma did not. She watched with fascination, then whispered to her father, “Families are loud.”
May you like
Harrison smiled softly.
“The good ones can be.”
