8- Rose

“Charity.”

Leo calls her name quietly.

The woman pulls back just enough to look at him, a bright smile spreading across her face.

“You've been avoiding me,” she complains, running a hand down his arm. “Do you have any idea how long I've been trying to reach you?”

“I've been busy.”

“Too busy to answer my calls?”

“Apparently.”

I look away before I can embarrass myself by staring at them.

So, this is what it feels like.

I thought Leo and I were building something. Maybe not a relationship yet, but something. The way he has been with my children, the way he smiles at me, and how naturally he fits into our little world have made me imagine things I probably shouldn't.

But clearly, I imagined too much.

I clear my throat and pick up the plates from the table.

“I'm sorry, but we're leaving soon. I need to get the children ready for school.”

Charity finally turns to look at me.

Her eyes travel from my face to my clothes before moving to the children. She gives me a smile that doesn't reach her eyes “Oh, you're the owner?”

“Yes. Rose.”

“Charity.” She says her name as though I should already know it.

I smile politely “Nice to meet you.”

She doesn't respond. Instead, she turns back to Leo, wrapping her arm around his again.

“Leo, why didn't you tell me you were coming here? I could have joined you for breakfast.”

He gently removes her arm.

“I didn't know you were looking for me.”

“That's because you never answer your phone!”

I resist the urge to sigh.

These two can have their argument somewhere else. I have three children to prepare for their first day at school, and my youngest troublemaker has already asked me four times whether we will be late.

I glance at my watch. Definitely not the morning for this. “Guys, come on, get your bags. The taxi will be here soon.”

All three children look at me. Then they look at Leo.nThen at Charity.

Oh, no.

I know those expressions.

“Uncle Leo, are you still taking us to school?” Leona asks, her little face suddenly serious.

Leo's expression softens.

“Of course, princess.”

Her shoulders relax, but she doesn't leave his side.

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Because Mommy said we should take the taxi, but you said you would take us yourself.”

“And I'm keeping my promise.”

She smiles and throws her arms around his neck. I look away, pretending to be busy arranging the plates. I shouldn't feel anything about this.

Leo has never promised me anything beyond helping the children. Whatever is happening between him and this woman is none of my business.

Still, it hurts.

And I hate that it hurts.

“Are you kicking us out?”

Charity's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I turn to find her standing with her arms folded across her chest, her expression openly offended.

I blink. "Excuse me?"

“You heard me. Are you kicking us out?”

I take a slow breath and offer her my sweetest smile. “Yes. I am. So?”

Her mouth falls open.

Behind me, I hear three little pairs of feet approaching.

“Leave our home,” my Leo declares, stepping in front of me. “You're not welcome.”

I stare at the back of his little head. Oh, my goodness.

“Who are you to be mean to Mommy in our house?” Leona adds, folding her arms to imitate Charity.

I press my lips together.

These children are going to make me cry one day, and it won't be because they are naughty.

Charity looks between them in disbelief. “Did you hear what they just said?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” I answer.

“Rose,” Leo begins, looking as though he wants to explain something, “we're in your house, and—”

“So what if she owns the house?” Charity interrupts. “Does she really not know who we are?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Should I?”

Her face reddens.

I have no idea who she thinks she is, but I certainly don't remember inviting her into my home to question my knowledge of other people's identities.

I check my watch again.

“Listen, I don't know what this is about, and frankly, I don't have time for it. I have three children who need to be at school for their orientation. Please continue this conversation outside.”

Charity lets out a disbelieving laugh. “You have some nerve!”

I stare at her. “I'm sorry, did you expect me to applaud?”

“Do you even know who you're talking to?”

“No.”

“I'm Charity!”

I wait.

She waits.

I continue waiting. Finally, I tilt my head. "Congratulations?"

My Leon bursts out laughing.

“Leon!” I warn, although I am fighting my own smile.

Charity's face twists with anger.

“You think you're funny? Do you have any idea who Leo is? He's the richest man in Valemont! He could buy every single villa in this neighborhood without even blinking!”

“Charity!”

Leo's voice cuts through the room.

It isn't loud, but the warning in it is enough to make her stop.

She turns toward him. “Leo, I was only—”

“Enough!” The word comes out cold. For the first time since she arrived, Charity seems unsure of herself.

I look at Leo, wondering why he sounds so different when he speaks to her.

Then I remind myself that I shouldn't care.

He can speak to her however he likes.

They can do whatever they like.

I have no intention of becoming involved in another woman's relationship.

I turn to him. “It's fine, Leo. You don't have to explain anything to me.”

His brows draw together. "Rose—"

“Really, it's fine.”

I give him a polite smile, the kind I would give any customer who had overstayed their welcome.

“Just take your…” I gesture vaguely toward Charity. “Well, whoever she is, and enjoy your morning.”

“Fiancée,” Charity says immediately.

“Friend,” Leo says at the same time.

Silence, complete, beautiful silence. I stare at them,them and then I blink.

Fiancée?

Friend?

I look from Charity to Leo and back again. Interesting, very interesting, but also none of my business. I nod slowly.

“Right.”

Charity looks as if she has just swallowed something bitter.

“Leo, what do you mean, friend?”

He doesn't answer her.

Instead, he looks at me.

And that somehow makes everything worse.

I don't want to know what he is thinking. I would rather not hear an explanation that might make me feel foolish for hoping there could be something between us.

I have spent too many years putting my children first to start losing my mind over a handsome man with a beautiful smile.

“Whatever the relationship is,” I say, keeping my voice calm, “you're both welcome to discuss it somewhere else. Kindly leave my restaurant. My time is precious.”

“Your restaurant?” Charity repeats, looking around as though she has only just noticed her surroundings.

“Yes. My restaurant.”

“You mean this place?”

I smile.

“No, I mean the palace next door. Of course, I mean this place!”

Leon covers his mouth.

Liam lowers his head, but I can see his shoulders shaking.

Even Leo's lips twitch.

Charity looks horrified.

“Leo, are you seriously going to let her speak to me like this?”

Leo's expression hardens.

“Charity, leave.”

“But—”

“Now.”

She stares at him, clearly shocked that he would dismiss her in front of strangers.

Then her gaze shifts to me. Whatever she sees on my face seems to make her even angrier.

“This isn't over,” she mutters.

I lift a hand in farewell.

“Have a lovely day.”

She spins around, her heels clicking angrily against the floor as she heads toward the entrance.

For one glorious second, I think peace has finally returned to my home.

Then Liam speaks. “Uncle Leo, we're going to be late for orientation.”

I close my eyes. Of course. My eldest has been trying to contain his excitement all morning, but now he looks genuinely distressed.

His first day at school is apparently more important than the little drama taking place in our house.

And honestly, I love him for that.

Leo notices his expression, too. “Don't worry, Liam. We'll get you there on time.”

Liam brightens immediately. “Really?”

“Really.”

Leona grabs Leo's hand.

“Then let's go! I want to see my classroom!”

“And I want to see the playground,” Leon announces.

“Of course you do,” Liam mutters.

I shake my head.

“Children, collect your bags. We are leaving.”

I turn toward the table to pick up the last lunch box, but Leo speaks before I can move.

“Rose.”

I pause.

“Yes?”

He looks at me for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Then his gaze flicks toward the entrance where Charity disappeared. “Can we talk?”

I give him a small smile. "About what?"

“About what just happened.”

I glance at the children, who are now watching us with far too much interest.

Then I look back at him.

“There's nothing to talk about, Leo.”

His jaw tightens. “That's not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

For a moment, he says nothing.

And that silence tells me more than I want to know.

I take a breath and reach for the children's bags.

“It's fine. We really need to leave.”

“Rose—”

“Please.”

The word comes out softer than I intended.

His expression changes.

I would rather not be rude to him. I would rather not punish him for something he hasn't even explained. But I also don't want to stand here pretending that seeing another woman claim him doesn't bother me.

Because it does.

And that is precisely the problem.

I thought I was being careful.

I thought I could enjoy his company without allowing myself to hope for anything.

Apparently, I was wrong.

Leo watches me for another moment before turning to Charity's abandoned direction.

“Wait here,” he tells the children.

Then he looks back at me.

“I'm not leaving without taking you and the children to school.”

“You don't have to—”

“I promised Leona.” this man seems to be enjoying this.

At that, Leona immediately wraps both arms around his leg. “And you can't break promises!” She looks up at him.

A faint smile touches his lips as he looks down at her. "Exactly."

I look at my daughter, who seems perfectly satisfied that she has secured her ride.

Then I look at Leo.

The man is impossible.

And the worst part?

He is just like the trio and, I am beginning to like him anyway.

I sigh, pick up my bag, and motion for the children to follow me.

“Fine. Let's go before Liam starts crying over the orientation.”

“I wasn't going to cry, Mommy!”

“Of course not, sweetheart.”

Leon laughs. "Cry baby"

Leona skips toward the door with Leo's hand firmly surrounding hers, while Liam follows with the dignity of a little gentleman.

I walk behind them, telling myself that this is nothing more than a ride to school.

Nothing more.

But when Leo turns around to check that I am following, his eyes meet mine. And for one foolish second, I forget all the reasons I should keep my distance.

The drive is silence. When we are getting out of the car someone calls me. A person I never expected to see again.

"Rose?"