Chapter 7 - Reclaiming Identity
With the immediate threat of Beatriz extinguished, the penthouse transformed from a safe house into a home. The red mark on Mariana’s cheek had faded, and with it, the hunched, apologetic posture she had carried for so long.
One morning, she found Leo cleaning his vintage motorcycle in the garage downstairs. She walked up to him, a newfound determination in her stride.
"I want to work," Mariana said.
Leo paused, wiping grease from his hands with a rag. "You don't have to. You have enough settlement money secured—"
"I know," she interrupted gently. "But I need to. Before I met my late husband, before Beatriz trapped me, I was studying architecture. I loved designing spaces. I want to finish my degree. I want my daughters to see their mother build something of her own."
May you like
Leo looked at her, truly looked at her, and a warm, proud smile spread across his face. "Okay. Let's find you a university program."
He didn't question her capability or try to manage her choices. He simply stood beside her, ready to support her next steps. It was a stark, beautiful contrast to the controlling cage she had escaped.
