But she's better than before. Yes. So Elena will get better, too, right? Another pause. I hope so, Mason said.
Elena pressed her face into the pillow. She'd expected to lie awake all night. Instead, she fell into the deepest sleep she'd had in months. When she woke, pale winter sunlight was streaming through the windows. For a moment, she forgot where she was.
Then, it crashed back. Everything. Elena sat up slowly. She was still in the borrowed clothes, still in a stranger's house, still divorced, still broken, but alive. She got up and opened the bedroom door.
The house was quiet. She followed the smell of coffee to the kitchen. Mason was there, already dressed in a suit, typing on a laptop. He looked up when she entered. Morning.
Morning. Elena hovered in the doorway. I should probably go. Where? I don't know.
Somewhere. Mason closed his laptop. The storm's still bad. Roads are a mess. And honestly, he studied her.
You look like you need another day. I can't just stay here. Why not? Because I'm a stranger. You were a stranger yesterday.
Today you're Elena who borrowed my late wife's clothes and made Sophie laugh at dinner. Elena didn't know what to say. Mason poured her coffee. Look, he said carefully. I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable, but I have three kids who are already asking if you're staying, and I know what it's like to have nowhere to go.
So, here's what I'm offering. Stay for a few days. Figure out your next move. No pressure. No expectations.
Why would you do that? Because I can. Mason handed her the coffee. And because someone should. Elena took the mug.
Her hands were still shaking. I don't know how to thank you. Don't thank me yet. Mason smiled slightly. You haven't met the kids when they're fully awake.
As if on Q. Thundering footsteps echoed from upstairs. Sophie burst into the kitchen. Elena, you're still here. Good morning, Sophie.
Are you staying? Daddy said maybe you're staying. Are you? Please say yes. Mason sighed.
Sophie, we talked about this. I know, but give her space. Sophie deflated slightly, but she climbed onto the chair next to Elena anyway. I'm glad you didn't leave, she said quietly. Elena felt something shift in her chest.
Me, too, she heard herself say. And for the first time in 24 hours, she meant it. 3 days turned into a week. Elena kept telling herself she'd leave tomorrow, find a job, find an apartment, find some way to restart her life that didn't involve living in a billionaire's guest room like a charity case. But every morning, Sophie would knock on her door with that hopeful smile, asking if Elena wanted pancakes.
And every evening, Mason would casually mention that the roads were still bad or that he'd appreciate help with homework or that Mara had actually asked where Elena was, so she stayed. The house developed a rhythm. Mason left early for his office downtown. The kids had online classes most days because of the lingering winter weather. Elena found herself naturally filling the gaps, making lunch, helping out Ethan with his math homework, sitting quietly in Mara's room while the teenager did her own thing.