Chapter 9 - The Little Girl Who Saved Them All
Their son was born in spring.
Lucas Reyes Pharaoh.
Talia became obsessed with being a big sister.
She carried diapers.
She whispered stories.
She guarded the crib like a tiny soldier.
Damen watched his children sleeping one night.
Yolanda sat beside him.
"You never thought you'd have this."
"No."
"Do you miss the old life?"
He thought about it.
"Sometimes."
She looked surprised.
"Why?"
"Because I miss knowing exactly what tomorrow looked like."
Yolanda laughed softly.
"And now?"
"Now tomorrow is unpredictable."
She leaned against him.
"That's life."
"I like it."
Years passed.
The bakery expanded.
Javier eventually returned.
Not to reclaim anything.
To know his daughter.
Talia welcomed him.
Lucas knew him as Uncle Javier.
Damen and Javier developed an unlikely friendship.
They disagreed constantly.
But they shared one thing.
They would protect the children.
One summer afternoon, Talia asked Damen a question.
"Why did you save Mommy?"
He smiled.
"Because you asked me."
She laughed.
"No."
She shook her head.
"You wanted to."
Damen looked at Yolanda.
She smiled.
"She's right."
He nodded.
"Yes."
Talia thought.
"Did you love Mommy then?"
Damen looked embarrassed.
"Not the way I do now."
Yolanda laughed.
"When did you?"
Damen answered honestly.
"When I realized I could lose everything and still feel rich if you two were safe."
Yolanda's eyes filled.
Talia didn't understand.
Children rarely do.
But someday she would.
That night, Damen took the old red box from its hiding place.
The evidence was gone.
The archive had been surrendered.
Only one photograph remained.
His father.
Elena Reyes.
And a little baby Yolanda.
He gave it to Yolanda.
She cried.
"This belongs to you."
She shook her head.
"No."
She gave it back.
"It belongs to the past."
Damen looked at the photograph.
Then placed it inside a fireproof box.
Not as a secret.
As history.
The past would not rule them.
The next morning, Damen received a call.
Mateo had died in prison.
The news brought no celebration.
Only silence.
Yolanda sat beside him.
"Does it bother you?"
"No."
"Why?"
"He was a part of the reason I lost my father."
She nodded.
"But?"
"But I don't want his death to define me."
She touched his hand.
Damen looked at her.
"I spent my life trying to become powerful enough that nobody could take anything from me."
"And now?"
"Now I know that was impossible."
He smiled.
"People can take money."
"They can take houses."
"They can take ships."
"They can take names."
He looked toward the living room where Talia and Lucas were laughing.
"But they can't take the moments you chose to give away."
Yolanda kissed him.
The house was warm.
The windows were open.
The ocean was visible beyond the porch.
No guards.
No weapons.
No empire.
Just family.
Then Talia came running.
"Daddy!"
"Yes?"
"I need help."
"With what?"
"My science project."
Damen looked at the clock.
"Right now?"
"Right now."
He sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
Yolanda laughed.
"You're the boss."
May you like
Damen shook his head.
"Not anymore."
