Gary looked at the card, then at Evelyn, then at Bruno standing behind her. He turned pale. "Miss St. James, the the architect." "You have 30 seconds before I buy this hospital and fire you," she said calmly. 10 minutes later, Sophie was being transferred to a private room with a view of the city, a pullout bed for Bruno and a team of three nurses dedicated solely to her care. Bruno stood in the corner of the new room, watching the nurses settle Sophie in.
He felt dizzy. The relief was so intense it was almost physical, washing over him in waves. But mixed with the relief was a strange, jagged tension. He looked at Evelyn. She was standing by the window, looking out at the rain.
She looked out of place here, a diamond in a cardboard box. She had just saved his daughter's life with a swipe of plastic, but she looked terrified to turn around. "Evelyn," Bruno said softly. She turned. The mask was gone.
She looked stripped bare. Is she Is she okay? Evelyn asked, her voice trembling, her fever is down. The new meds are working. You did that?
I threw money at it, she said bitterly. It's the only thing I know how to do. It's what my father taught me. If it's broken, buy a replacement. If it's messy, pay someone to clean it up.
She looked down at her hands. I treated you like an employee, Bruno. I treated your life like a transaction. I'm so sorry. Bruno walked over to her.
He didn't touch her. Not yet. He just stood close enough to smell the jasmine perfume that had haunted him all weekend. You didn't just throw money. Bruno said, "You came here.
You ran after me." Arthur and James wouldn't have done that. Preston wouldn't have done that. Daddy. A small raspy voice came from the bed. Bruno and Evelyn both turned.
Sophie was awake, her eyes blurry but focused. She was looking at Evelyn. Bruno moved to the bed. Hey monkey, how you feeling? Thirsty?
She whispered. Then she pointed a small finger at Evelyn. Is that the princess? Bruno blinked. The what?
You said you were going to a castle to help a queen. Sophie rasped. She looks like a princess. Evelyn froze. She had faced down boardrooms of angry shareholders, but a six-year-old girl with a teddy bear seemed to paralyze her.
Slowly, tentatively, Evelyn walked to the bedside. She lowered herself onto the edge of the mattress, disregarding her thousand skirt. "Hi, Sophie," Evelyn whispered. "I'm not a princess. I'm I'm Evelyn.
Sophie studied her with the intense, unblinking scrutiny that only children possess. Then she held out her worn out teddy bear. Mr. Bear is sick, too, Sophie said seriously. He lost an eye. Evelyn looked at the bear.
Then she looked at Bruno. A smile, genuine and soft, broke across her face. It transformed her. Well, Evelyn said, taking the bear's paw gently. I happen to fix things for a living.
I bet if we try really hard, we can fix Mr. Bear. She looked up at Bruno. Her eyes were shining. And maybe he needs a new suit, too. Blue to match his dad.
Bruno felt his heart thump against his ribs. Later that night, the hospital room was quiet. Sophie was asleep, her breathing deep and rhythmic. The storm outside had passed, leaving the city lights twinkling in the wet darkness. Bruno sat on the windowsill.
Evelyn was on the small sofa, her shoes kicked off, reading a parenting magazine she had found in the lobby. You know, Bruno broke the silence. The tabloids are going to have a field day. St. James is seen at city hospital with mystery man. Evelyn didn't look up.
Let them. [clears throat] I don't care. Preston is going to spin this. Bruno warned. He'll tell Arthur you're erratic, unstable. Evelyn closed the magazine.
She stood up and walked over to Bruno. Let him, she said fiercely. I sent a memo to the board while you were getting coffee. I'm calling for a vote of no confidence in the merger. I'm splitting the company.
I'm taking the design division, the part that actually builds things, and I'm leaving the corporate shell for Arthur and Preston to fight over. Bruno's eyes widened. That's That's suicide. You'll lose the fortune. I'll lose the shackles, she corrected.
She stepped closer, invading his space, her eyes searching his. I realized something today, Bruno. I've been building skyscrapers to prove I'm big enough to be seen. But I felt bigger sitting on that bed holding a teddy bear than I ever did in the boardroom. She reached out and took his hand.
Her fingers were warm. I don't want a fake date, Bruno. She whispered. I'm tired of pretending. I want something real.
Even if it's messy, even if it's broke. even if it's just traffic and medical bills and rain. Bruno looked at her, this complicated, terrifying, beautiful woman who had fought for him. "It's a lot of rain," Bruno murmured, leaning in. "I have an umbrella," she whispered. Bruno kissed her.
"It wasn't a movie kiss. It was desperate and real, tasting of coffee and exhaustion and hope. [clears throat] It was the collision of two lonely worlds finally finding an orbit. When they pulled apart, Evelyn rested her forehead against his. "So," she breathed. "About your job.
Am I still fired?" Bruno grinned crookedly. "Yes," she said. "You're fired as a junior draftsman. I need a partner. Someone who knows that the foundation is more important than the paint. someone who isn't afraid to tell me when I'm wrong.
She glanced at sleeping Sophie. And she added softly, "I think I might need a family." Bruno squeezed her hand. We come as a package deal, and the kid has expensive taste in teddy bears. Evelyn laughed, a sound that filled the sterile room with life. "I think I can handle it." Outside, the clouds broke, revealing a sliver of moon.
The storm was over. The blueprint was drawn. And for the first time in a long time, they were both ready to build something that would last.