Chapter 11 - Three Years Later, Leo’s First Word Was “Mama”—But the Baby I Thought I Had Lost Changed the Meaning of the Word ForeverLeo was three.
My son was three.
They were inseparable.
They shared toys.
Shared snacks.
Shared secrets.
They fought over everything.
But they always protected each other.
Leo's heart was stronger.
My son had no major health problems.
He called me Mama.
So did my son.
The first time Leo said it, I cried.
Not because I wanted to replace Sophia.
Because I knew he needed someone.
Sophia's photograph hung in the nursery.
I told Leo about her.
"She loved you."
"She is my real mom?"
"Yes."
He nodded.
"And you?"
"I'm Hunter."
He smiled.
"You're Mama too."
I cried again.
Lorenzo watched from the doorway.
He smiled.
We had built something strange.
Not perfect.
But real.
One evening, he asked me to dinner.
He looked nervous.
"I need to tell you something."
"What?"
"I love you."
I stared.
He continued.
"Not because you saved Leo."
"Not because you're his caregiver."
"Because you're you."
I smiled.
"I love you too."
He kissed me.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was gentle.
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And for the first time, I didn't feel like the maid.
I felt like family.
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