He gently stroked my hair. It was a silent comfort, but it gave me immense strength. “You’re not a fool,” he finally said in a deep, gentle voice. “You’re a good person because you treat others with sincerity. You assume they do the same. The problem isn’t with you, but with the people who took advantage of your kindness to hurt you.” He paused before continuing. “And you’re not weak. You went through a pregnancy alone, gave birth, endured betrayal and abandonment, and still carried on.”
A woman capable of doing that isn’t weak. You’re much stronger than you think. Her words were like warm water on my frozen heart. It was the first time someone hadn’t seen me as a fool, but as someone strong. She looked at me not with pity, but with respect. Then her expression turned serious. As for my past with Chloe, that ended a long time ago, long before what happened in Mai. There’s absolutely nothing between us.
I wanted to make that clear so you wouldn’t have any doubts. He was setting a firm boundary, making sure I didn’t feel displaced or uncomfortable. His emotional intelligence deeply moved me. I looked at him, and through my tear-filled eyes, I saw only sincerity. That night, Julián stayed by my side until I had completely calmed down. He didn’t make any grand pronouncements; he simply listened to everything I needed to say. His presence, his embrace, made me feel incredibly safe. Without realizing it, I understood that this man was slowly becoming the strongest pillar in my life.
Over time, life began to find its rhythm. I threw myself completely into my new job. During the day, I would take the subway to Chelsea, while Julián would drop Lili off at a highly reputable daycare near Tribeca, one he had carefully researched. In the evenings, I would rush to pick her up. It was exhausting, but my life had meaning. I was working at what I loved and watching my daughter grow up happily every day. Noticing how difficult it was to balance work and caring for Lili, Julián suggested hiring a nanny.
At first, I refused. I didn’t want to continue depending on him, but he was firm. “Don’t see this as help,” he said. “See it as my responsibility as a father. I want my daughter to have the best possible care and for her mother to have some time to breathe.” His logic was impossible to refute. Finally, I agreed. A few days later, a woman in her fifties arrived. Julián introduced her as Marta. She would take care of Lili and the house. Marta had a kind face, a warm smile, and a look full of experience.
From the very first moment, she exuded confidence. Lili, who was usually wary of strangers, connected with her immediately. She babbled happily and reached out to Grandma Marta almost instantly. Marta was an incredible professional. She fed Lily, put her to sleep, and played with her effortlessly. She knew nursery rhymes and stories. She seemed to have an endless supply of ways to entertain her. Thanks to her, I was able to go to work without a care in the world. She was also an excellent homemaker. Julián’s large loft was always spotless, and her cooking was simply delicious.
Leave a Comment