The billionaire pretended to go to Europe… But what he saw on the hidden cameras between his housekeeper and his daughters left him frozen.-yilux

Then June cried.

It wasn’t loud. That made it worse. It sounded like something small finally breaking after being bent too long.

I knelt in front of both girls and felt the distance I’d built the second I got close. Not physical distance. The kind that comes when children stop believing the truth is safe with you.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

My voice cracked on the second word.

Lily’s eyes filled, but she held on. “Are you sending Mara away?”

“No.”

I answered too fast because I’d already seen what hesitation could do.

“No,” I said again, slower. “Mara stays if she wants to stay and if you want her here.”

June pulled back just enough to look at me. There was a red mark on her wrist. Finger-shaped. Precise. It might’ve faded within an hour, but I knew I’d see it longer than that.

“She said you liked her better,” June whispered.

The room tilted a little.

Mara crouched beside me. “Girls, go with Cal to the kitchen. Ms. Beverly is bringing hot chocolate.”

June refused to move until Mara promised to come too. Lily only moved when I promised the phone would stay with me.