After what he’d learned about Steven and his parents… after understanding what it meant to let someone into your home and make yourself vulnerable… Ryan wasn’t reckless with trust. He wasn’t naïve.
Eve looked at Marlene again.
The woman’s smile was polite, her posture respectful. She didn’t look like someone eager to pry.
Eve inhaled slowly. “Thank you,” she said quietly, to Ryan, not the housekeeper.
Ryan nodded, relief faintly crossing his face.
“But,” he added, his voice calm and firm, “I will ensure we don’t make ourselves vulnerable to anyone.”
Eve’s heart softened.
He was trying.
Not just to be good.
But to be wise.
Camila watched the exchange with quiet approval. Mitre didn’t say much, but he nodded as if acknowledging a man making a difficult decision with care.
Later th
