His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter 58

I hesitated for a moment, gathering my courage. "How's your work going? Do you

ever get tired of it?"

Carlos set his glass down and looked at me. "It's progressing well," he answered, his voice measured. "There are challenges, but it's fulfilling."

I nodded, feeling relieved by his openness. My curiosity grew. "Do you ever miss the simpler days? Or the time before you took on all these responsibilities?"

I leaned in a little more, feeling the pull to know more. "Do you ever wonder what your life would have been like if you hadn't taken on all this? If you didn't have to carry so much responsibility?"

Carlos paused for a moment, as if considering my question carefully. For a brief second, I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Sometimes," he admitted, his voice quieter. "But we can't always choose our paths, Doris. Sometimes, we're put where we need to be." There was something deeper in his words, and the way he looked at me in that moment made my heart skip a beat. Carlos wasn't just the calm, collected figure / had always thought him to be. He was layered, thoughtful, carrying the weight of his own responsibilities quietly. I realized then how much more I wanted to understand him, to see past the walls he had built around himself.

As I sipped more wine, I couldn't help but think how handsome Carlos looked tonight. His calm demeanor, his quiet strength-it all made me feel something I hadn't before. I leaned in closer, my voice a little softer, "You've always been so calm and collected. I thought you'd resent me for being so forward."

Carlos remained composed, but his gaze softened as he looked at me. "I don't mind."

Chapter 58

feeling the tension of the night dissolve. But as I moved closer, Carlos gently placed a hand on my shoulder, lightly pushing me back. He watched me carefully, his glasses catching the light from the fire. His restraint felt almost protective, like he was trying

maid's voice interrupted from downstairs. "Mr. Carlos, Miss

here."

like a splash of cold water. "Miss Odette?" I asked,

calm, his voice steady as

getting closer to him, feeling like something was happening between us-and he was engaged? My face flushed with embarrassment,

sorry," I stammered, trying to stand up too quickly. The room tilted slightly as the wine caught up with me, and Carlos reached out to steady me with

quietly. "You've had a long day. Go to

argue, and hurried to my room. As soon as I was alone, I collapsed onto the bed, my mind spinning. Fiancée. How had I let myself get so close to him? I had almost kissed him-and he had a

quietly beside me, his toys spread out on the bed. His innocence was a comfort,

9

to move quickly before I changed my mind. But just as I was zipping it up, there was a soft knock at the

her expression polite but

has asked that you stay. He wanted you to know that Miss Odette's arrival last night was an accident. She won't be coming

my hands still clutching

safer for you and