Gerald sits at the head of the long table. He wears a fitted white polo shirt that sets off his tan and highlights his muscular physique.
He flicks through the business pages of a newspaper, preferring the old-school feel of an actual paper rather than scrolling through news on his smartphone.
"Eat up," he urges with an easy smile. His presence is both reassuring and unsettling. But I can't fully trust this lavish lifestyle he's granted us. Despite his hospitality, it just seems too good to be true.
Yara digs in happily while I pick at my plate. I know I'm hungry, but I can't force myself to eat.
Gerald notices my hesitation. "It's a lot, I know," he says gently. "But I promise, you'll get used to it."
I meet his gaze. Under the charm, I sense something darker in his eyes.
But I swallow my misgivings and force a smile. "We appreciate everything you've done for us."
Gerald leans forward, voice low and earnest. "This is your home now. I'll take care of you, like family."
His words kindle a fragile hope inside me. I want to believe them with every fiber of my being.
That Yara and I have finally found a safe harbor after years adrift.
"Thank you," I say softly.
I reach over to clasp Yara's hand, allowing myself to feel hope just for a moment.
After breakfast, Yara excuses herself to go and peruse more of the grounds while I retreat to my room. At the window overlooking the sprawling estate, I take a deep breath. For the first time in so long, I feel like I can breathe freely, without fear nipping at my heels.
This is our chance, I tell myself. Our new beginning.
I squeeze my eyes shut and make a silent vow—I will fight to the death to protect the life we're building here.
Eyes open, I gaze out at the lush grounds and smile as I see Yara skipping by and then talking to something that looks a bit like a duck.
"Here's to our new life, little bird," I whisper.
I must be strong, for Yara's sake. Her happiness means everything to me.
I straighten my spine and lift my chin. The past is behind us. Ahead lies the promise of joy.
And I will do whatever it takes to fulfill that promise for my daughter.
For her, for us, I will make this work.
Chapter 13
Alina
Gerald approaches me as I stare out the window, taking in the expansive grounds and mentally comparing it to the tiny apartment Yara and I just left behind.
"You don't seem like yourself," says Gerald, his brow furrowed. "The you that I've got to know up until now, I mean."
I frown. He's right. I'm not myself.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to appear ungrateful." I pause, trying to find the right words. "We just got here, and you've already done so much for us. It's just a lot of change at once, I guess. As a mother, you always feel this overwhelming sense of responsibility for your child. You question every decision you make, wondering whether it's in their best interest, or if you're being selfish."
"Alina," he places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze, "I may not have known you for that long, but what I do know is you don't have a selfish bone in your entire body."
“Well, I appreciate you saying that," I sigh. "But am I really worth risking everything for? What if you change your mind and then we're out on the streets? Or worse, we get deported back to the life we left behind?”
“You have nothing to worry about. Without you my life is nothing, Alina.”