Chapter 35

It had been a week since that call, and although Margaret had tried to keep her routine, the news of Lorenzo's arrival in Paris unsettled her. Every time she thought about seeing him, her chest tightened. What did he want to say? What had he discovered?

That morning, the Parisian sky was gray, as if the city shared her uncertainty. Margaret dropped Mateo off at daycare and returned home, intending to get some work done. But she couldn't focus. She paced the living room, trying to distract herself, but her mind kept returning to the same thought: Lorenzo.

The doorbell startled her. She checked the time; she wasn't expecting anyone. When she opened the door, her heart skipped a beat.

-Lorenzo.

He stood there, impeccably dressed, with a determined expression and something else she couldn't quite place.

-May I come in? -he asked, his voice low.

Margaret hesitated before stepping aside.

Lorenzo entered, holding out a bouquet of flowers.

Margaret took them hesitantly, then turned to place them in a vase on the table.

-You'd better have something important to say -she remarked.

Lorenzo stood in the middle of the room, the weight of his words evident on his face.

-Clarisse won't bother you anymore.

Margaret spun around, shocked.

-What does that mean?

Lorenzo took a deep breath.

-It means I spoke with her. I made things clear. I removed her from her position and asked her to return to Colombia. She has no excuse to interfere with you anymore.

Margaret narrowed her eyes.

-Do you really think it's that simple? Clarisse isn't the type to accept "no" as an answer.

-I know -Lorenzo replied firmly-. But this time, she has no choice. I made a decision, and she knows I won't back down.

Margaret studied him, searching for ulterior motives.

-Why did you do it? Do I suddenly matter so much to you?

Lorenzo lowered his gaze for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

-Because I was wrong. I let her cross lines I never should have allowed. But this isn't just about you. It's about me too. I'm tired of letting others control my life.

Margaret felt a lump in her throat but masked it with a sardonic smile.

-Nice speech, Lorenzo. Let's see if you stick to it.

Lorenzo nodded slowly, accepting her challenge.

-I will. I'm tired of losing what truly matters.

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken emotions. Finally, Margaret broke it.

-Is that all you came to say?

Lorenzo stepped closer, his gaze softer.

-I just want you to know I'm here. No matter how long it takes, I'll prove you can trust me.

Margaret didn't respond, simply nodded faintly and looked away.

As Lorenzo prepared to leave, he added:

-Thank you for listening.

When the door closed behind him, Margaret remained still, staring at the flowers. Despite everything, something about Lorenzo's words echoed within her.

In the hallway, Lorenzo exhaled deeply. It was just one step, but he knew he was closer to earning his place in Margaret and Mateo's lives again.

He reached the elevator, hands in his pockets, his mind restless. As the doors opened, he clenched his teeth and turned back impulsively. Walking briskly to Margaret's door, he knocked firmly.

Margaret opened it again, surprise and weariness on her face.

-Did you forget something? -she asked dryly.

Lorenzo shook his head, breathing deeply.

-No. But there's something else I need to say.

Margaret raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.

-What is it now? Another empty promise?

-No, this is different -he stepped forward, making her retreat as he entered.

Margaret sighed, closing the door, clearly frustrated.

-If you're here to repeat yourself, we can do this later. I'm tired.

-It's not that -Lorenzo interrupted, his voice soft but laden with emotion-. Margaret, I need to be honest with you.

Her skeptical look faltered under the weight of his words.

-Since I arrived in Paris, something in me has changed -he continued, locking his eyes on hers-. And I can't ignore it anymore.

Margaret frowned, unsure of where this was headed.

-What are you talking about?

Lorenzo took a deep breath as though the words cost him more than he expected.

-You. I'm starting to feel things for you, Margaret.

The air in the room stilled. Margaret blinked, utterly confused.

-What...? -she stammered-. Lorenzo, what are you saying?

-Exactly what you heard -he said, stepping closer-. I don't know how or when it started, but I can't get you out of my head.

Margaret stepped back, needing distance to think clearly.

-This is ridiculous. We've barely talked beyond work.

-I know. But I can't help how I feel. There's something about you that feels like I've known you forever.

-You can't tell me this now -Margaret said, shaking her head, struggling to regain control-. It's too much.

Lorenzo tilted his head, observing her closely.

-I know it's unexpected. But I needed to be honest. I'm done hiding how I feel.

Margaret pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to sort through her thoughts.

-This changes nothing -she finally said, her voice trembling slightly-. We're here for work, Lorenzo. We can't mix things.

Lorenzo nodded, though the intensity in his gaze remained.

-I understand. But I can't promise my feelings will just disappear. I wanted you to know. And I'll do whatever it takes to win your heart.

Margaret stood silent, unable to respond. Lorenzo's truth shook her in ways she wasn't ready to admit.

Finally, Lorenzo stepped back, respecting her space.

-I don't expect an answer now. I just wanted to be honest.

Without another word, he turned and left, leaving Margaret alone with her thoughts.

She sank onto the sofa, her mind spinning. Lorenzo's words echoed, and for the first time in a long time, she felt her carefully constructed world start to crumble.