Chapter 13
I shook my head almost violently. “No, sir. I… I don’t want anything.”
‘Billions,” he pressed, as if testing me. “Take it. No one would refuse.”
looked up at him, heart hammering. “I only want… a job. That’s enough for me.”
Dr. Celeste smiled proudly, squeezing my hand. “You hear that? She asks for nothing but work. This girl is different.”
The young man-Maximilian-was silent, studying me like I was a piece of evidence in a trial. His eyes were sharp, suspicious. Finally, he spoke, his tone clipped. “Thank you for saving my Abuela.” But the way he said it, stiff and cold, felt more like accusation than gratitude.
bit my lip and looked down. I could feel him judging me, already painting me as some greedy tranger trying to climb into their world.
She will work for me,” Dr. Celeste said firmly. “From today, she stays. My last assistant left afte er wedding. I will not let this child slip away.”
Maximilian’s jaw tightened, but he nodded slowly. “As you wish, Abuela.”
A week later, Dr. Celeste was discharged.
rode in the car with her, the leather seats cold beneath me. Maximilian was at the wheel, his lands gripping it hard, veins showing. Don Wilbert had already left to meet old friends.
stared out the window at Monaco’s glittering streets, feeling smaller with every passing econd. Everything outside screamed wealth, untouchable power. And here I was, a girl who ›nce begged to keep a roof over her head.
Dr. Celeste reached over, brushing my arm gently. “Do not be afraid, child. You deserve kindnes
00.”
blinked fast to keep the tears from spilling. “I… I don’t know if I do.”
She gave a soft laugh. “You do. I see it in you.”
The car pulled into the Castillo estate, a fortress disguised as a mansion. Tall iron gates, guards n uniform, a house so big it felt like a kingdom. Servants lined up, bowing as we entered.
wanted to disappear.
Dr. Celeste touched Maximilian’s arm gently. “Send her to her room, Maximilian.”
He gave a short nod, respectful to her, but when his eyes flicked briefly to me, there was something there I couldn’t read. Something sharp, almost dangerous, but fleeting.
‘Yes, Abuela. I will handle it.”
My heart pounded. I didn’t know if I was walking toward a beginning or a trap. Maximilian opened the guest room when I followed him in. The room was bigger than any place I had ever stayed in, but before I could even look around properly, he closed the door behind us with a sharp click.
He stepped closer, one hand pressed above my head against the wall. His voice was low, cold, almost like a blade sliding against skin.
“Listen carefully. If you are a gold digger, leave now. My Abuela has suffered enough. I will not let
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you use her kindness.”
I felt my throat tighten. My eyes stung, but I forced myself to speak. “I am not… I just wanted to survive. That is all.”
He leaned closer, his eyes hard. “That is what they all say. I have seen too many people pretenc to care just to steal. My grandmother deserves peace, not another parasite.”
My chest ached at his words. I bit my lip until I tasted blood. “I never had anything. Not money, not family, not even safety. Do you think I would dare take advantage of the only person who has shown me kindness? I only asked for a job. Nothing else.”
For a second, something flickered across his face. His eyes softened, but only for a breath. Ther he straightened, pulling his hand back.
“We will see.”
He walked out without looking back.
The next morning, I was already helping Dr. Celeste when Maximilian walked in, silent as ever. stood behind her chair, taking notes as she dictated. He stayed in the doorway, arms crossed his eyes fixed on me.
‘Maximilian, do not stand there glaring. You will scare her away.”
‘That might be for the best.”
looked down at the notebook in my hand, my chest tightening again. “I am not leaving. You can keep watching me if that makes you feel better.”
‘Child, do not let him intimidate you. He was born with that face. He cannot help it.”
The corner of Maximilian’s mouth twitched, but he stayed silent.
Later, he caught me alone in the hallway. He stepped into my path, forcing me to stop.
Do not take advantage of her. I will know if do.”
swallowed, gripping the hem of my blouse.
you
You already think the worst of me. What more proof do you want? My scars? My past? My empty pockets? Do you want me to peel myself open so you can see how ugly it all is?”
de froze. His jaw clenched, but he did not speak.
You do not have to like me. Just let me stay. For once, I want to feel like I belong somewhere.”
For the first time, he did not argue. He just stood there, silent, before walking away. Months have passed and slowly, I found a place in that mansion. Dr. Celeste grew fond of me in ways I never expected. She would smile at me during rounds and say, “Dahlia, you are careful. You listen more than you speak. That is rare.” She never made me feel small. With my salary, I saved every coin. She once offered to pay for my schooling but I shook my head.
‘No, Dra. Celeste. I don’t want people to say I used you,” I whispered.
Her hand touched mine gently. “You are not using me. You are earning my trust. But if you truly want to do this on your own, I will write my recommendation. Let the scholarship recognize your
effort.”
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Her words made me cry when I was alone at night. She gave me the bridge, but I still had to walk it myself. And I did. I studied with hunger in my chest. On my free hours, I stayed in the operating rooms, standing quietly at the back while Dr. Celeste guided me. Sometimes she would lean close and murmur, “Watch carefully. The smallest mistake can cost a life.”
I promised myself I would never waste that chance.
Maximilian left during those years. He said nothing when he left, only a curt nod toward me. I knew he never trusted me. All he said before boarding the plane was, “Do not let my grandmother down.”
bowed my head and answered softly, “I will not.”
That was the last time I saw him.
