It's fine. They pulled up to a small office building. Mara unbuckled. You'll be here when I get out. We'll be here.
Mason promised. Mara nodded and disappeared inside. Mason turned to look at Elena. What did you say to her? Nothing much.
Elena, I just let her be honest. Mason studied her face. You're good with them, he said quietly. The kids. Elena looked away.
I'm not doing anything special. You're doing more than you think. I'm just trying to be helpful. Why? The question caught her off guard.
What? Why are you trying so hard to be helpful? Mason's voice was gentle. You're a guest here. You don't owe us anything.
I know that. So why? Elena didn't have a good answer. Or maybe she did and didn't want to say it out loud because being useful meant being wanted. Because if she was helping, she wasn't just taking up space.
Because David's voice still echoed in her head, and she needed to prove him wrong. "I like your kids," she said instead. "They're good people. They like you, too. " Sophie likes everyone. Sophie's picky about who she attaches to.
Mason turned back to face the windshield. She's decided you're safe. I don't know if that's true. It is. Mason paused.
Can I ask you something? Sure. What are you planning to do long-term? There it was. The question Elena had been avoiding.
I don't know, she admitted. Find a job, I guess. Save money, get my own place. What kind of job? Whatever I can get.
I have a degree in marketing, but I haven't worked in 4 years. David wanted me home. Mason's jaw tightened at the mention of her ex-husband. "You could work from here," he said carefully. "While you figure things out, "Mason, I'm serious.
The kids are doing better with you around, and honestly," he looked at her. "I could use the help. " "You have a housekeeper and a chef who comes three times a week. I'm not talking about housekeeping. " Mason ran a hand through his hair. I'm talking about someone who actually cares about them as people. Who notices when Mara is struggling or when Ethan's hiding something or when Sophie's anxious.
You notice those things when I'm here, which isn't enough. Frustration leaked into his voice. I'm trying to run a company and raise three kids who've all been through trauma. Something's always falling through the cracks. Elena didn't know what to say.
Think about it, Mason said. No pressure, but the offer's there. Before Elena could respond, Mara emerged from the building. She looked exhausted, but slightly lighter. She climbed back into the SUV.
"How'd it go? " Mason asked carefully. "Fine. " "Just fine," "Dad, it was fine," Mason wisely dropped it. On the drive home, Elena's phone buzzed. She'd finally charged it the day before. The screen showed 17 missed calls from David and one text message.
We need to talk about the settlement. Elena's stomach dropped. You okay? Mason asked, eyes on the road. Yeah, just my ex.