Chapter 8 - A Father’s Gratitude
Rory walked up the grand staircase toward the nursery. The morning sunlight was streaming through the high arched windows, casting long, warm golden beams across the hardwood floors.
He opened the nursery door softly.
Inside, the scene was completely transformed. Lily and Rose were sitting on a soft rug in the center of the room, playing happily with wooden building blocks. For the first time in eight weeks, the dark circles under their eyes had faded, replaced by color in their cheeks and genuine, joyful laughter.
Sitting on the floor with them, patiently helping them build a wooden castle, was Veronica. She was laughing along with them, her warm, gentle presence radiating through the room.
Rory stood in the doorway for a moment, watching them. His heart, hardened by years of violence, crime, and ruthless ambition, softened in a way he hadn't felt since his wife had passed away years ago.
Lily looked up and saw him. "Daddy!" she squealed, leaping up and running across the room.
Rose followed right behind her. Rory dropped to his knees, catching both of his daughters in a tight, desperate embrace. He buried his face in their hair, smelling the sweet, simple scent of baby shampoo, feeling their small arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
"Daddy, the buzzing monster is gone!" Rose giggled into his shoulder. "Miss Veronica chased it away!"
"I know, baby," Rory whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he held them tighter. "I know. It's never coming back. I promise you."
He kissed the tops of their heads and gently let them go back to their blocks. Then, he stood up and looked at Veronica, who had risen to her feet and was standing respectfully nearby, smoothing her uniform apron.
"Veronica," Rory said softly. "Come with me for a moment, please."
Veronica followed him out into the quiet hallway. She looked slightly nervous, wondering if she was about to be dismissed now that the crisis was resolved.
"Mr. Starks... if you no longer require my services in the nursery, I can return to my regular duties in the main house—"
"Stop," Rory interrupted gently. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a thick document along with a set of keys.
"You saved my daughters' lives, Veronica," Rory said, looking directly into her eyes. "You saw what world-renowned doctors, expensive equipment, and my own security team missed. You acted with courage, intelligence, and love for two little girls who aren't even yours."
"I just did what was right, sir," she murmured softly.
"Doing what is right is rare in my world," Rory said. "Which is why I'm changing things. Starting today, you are no longer a housemaid."
Veronica blinked in surprise. "I'm not?"
"No," Rory smiled faintly. "You are being appointed as the Head Household Manager and the Chief Guardian of my daughters. You will oversee their care, their safety, and the entire estate's domestic operations. Your salary will be ten times what you were making before."
Veronica’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "Mr. Starks... I... I don't know what to say..."
"That's not all," Rory continued, handing her the document and the keys. "I had my legal team look into your past. I know about your family in South America, and I know why you had to flee. As of three hours ago, your father and younger brother have been placed under the protection of my security network in Colombia. They have been given safe passage to New York. They arrive tomorrow. This key is for a townhouse three miles from here, fully paid for in your family's name."
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Tears welled up in Veronica’s eyes. She covered her mouth with her hands, overwhelmed by the sudden, life-changing magnitude of his gratitude. "You... you brought my family here? Safe?"
"You protected my family," Rory said, his voice ringing with absolute sincerity. "The Starks family always pays its debts."
