Chapter 15: The Maid's Boundary
Later that evening, after Mateo had been tucked into bed, Arthur found Rosa in the drawing room, polishing the remaining intact statues. "Thank you," he said quietly, standing a respectful distance away. "For today. For handling him when I couldn't."
Rosa stopped her polishing, turning to face her employer. Her expression was polite but firm. "I did what needed to be done today, Mr. Arthur. But I am the housekeeper. I clean the floors and I manage the staff. I cannot be the one to manage your son's heart."
The words stung, but Arthur knew they were true. "He's hurting," Rosa continued, her voice softening slightly. "He is drowning in this big, empty house. You can pay me to clean up the broken china, sir, but you cannot pay me to be his father. That job belongs to you."
