Chapter 6 - Redefining the Contract
Over the next two weeks, Maria recovered fully, but she never moved back to the cottage.
Daniel forbade it. He hired a professional estate management company to handle the heavy cleaning, cooking, and maintenance of the mansion.
"Your new job, Maria," Daniel announced one evening over a dinner they all shared at the massive dining room table, "is to help me run a new project. I'm establishing the Eleanor Cole Foundation, named after my mother. It's going to fund childcare and medical relief for single working parents who can't afford to take time off when they're sick."
Maria’s jaw dropped. "Daniel... that’s incredible."
"And I need someone I trust completely to manage the community outreach program," Daniel said, sliding a contract across the table. "You'll have a full salary, comprehensive health insurance, a corporate retirement plan, and your own office in the city. You aren't my housekeeper anymore, Maria. You're my partner in this."
Maria looked at the paperwork, her eyes filling with tears of joy. She looked around the bright, warm dining room, then at her daughter, who was happily coloring a picture of a house with a giant yellow sun over it.
May you like
"I don't know what to say," Maria gasped.
"Say you'll accept," Daniel smiled. "Because Elena already agreed that she likes living in the big house permanently."
