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“When the bidding commenced, something came over me, and I had to have this house for you. For us.”
I nod, slowly taking it all in.
“It’s only three blocks away on the beach.” He points in the house’s direction, the opposite way we usually walk.
“I’m familiar with the house.” I shake my head. “I can’t believe you bought it.
“The cost is not what concerns me. I received a phone call and email to say I can start working in a week.”
I shake my head again to find sense in all the news he’s sharing with me. “Are you concerned about Rose? Because Mum is happy to mind her until I find a childcare facility.”
“Our life together will be nothing like the one we had in Ulara. I’ll be on a rotating roster and—”
“Hey, I understand,” I murmur, knowing it’s inevitable.
“If we’re planning for our future, I want you to consider what you want. Do you want to continue working for your father’s business?”
I let out a sigh. “Dana mentioned the same thing today.”
“I want you to reflect on what it is you want for yourself at this time of your life?”
I shake my head, unsure of what he’s asking me. “Do you want me to stop working and care for Rose?”
“Is that what you want?”
I stare out to the golden horizon, searching for answers. The breeze has picked up. Loose strands of hair blow around my face, and I don’t brush them away. Instead, I hide my face behind a curtain of hair. “I want to spend more time with my daughter. I also want to focus on something for me. I enjoy working, not every day, as I want time with Rose.”
“So don’t work. Study part-time,” he says to the sunset as though it offers new hope. “You can spend some time studying at home as well. Simply choose something that interests you and you’ll enjoy because it’s an ideal time to change. Life may only get harder to make a big career change.”
“Is it how you feel? Do you believe it’s too late for you to change?”
He frowns before meeting my gaze. “The promise I made to my parents before coming here was I’d do the right thing by Rose and you… continue with my medical studies, support you both, and be responsible. This all translates to resuming my residency at a hospital.”
“I understood oncology wasn’t the right path for you. I recall you saying how finding a cure made you happy. Patients dying and sick children tore your heart out.”
He looks to the sand, where the waves crash close to the rocks. His eyes glaze over, deep in thought. I know he misses Ulara, the people, his friends, and his adopted family.
The shaman.
“I assumed you’d continue in medical research. You enjoyed working—” I stop myself from saying more. He puts his hand in mine and squeezes it. I’m thankful he’s discussing our future and wish he’d talk about what happened on his journey with the Ularans because until he does, he’s not really here with me. Only physically while he silently mourns.
“Honestly, I’m happy to continue working at Monte for a while longer. I have plans and renovations I want to see come to fruition. You should find a new career or work that makes you happy since money isn’t a problem.” This deal he has made with his father seems to be tied up with a monetary bow. “You’re an intelligent man, so study something of interest to you. You’re in a new country, a new city, appreciating a different ocean. Tomorrow is a new day. Make it yours.”
He turns and kisses me. “I wish it was that easy. I made a promise, and I need to honor it.”
Are you bloody kidding me?
We barely finished discussing how he’s free to choose his own path.
His parents aren’t here.
We’re in control of our future.
He thinks my father has a hold over me. Well, his parents are next level. I study his face, only he is wearing his unreadable professional expression.
Twenty months ago, I fell in love with this beautiful, honorable man. His morals impressed me, and I knew he was someone I could trust. I have faith in us, only we have a long way to go beforeheis happy.
All I can do is keep chipping away at his armor and hope I don’t break him in doing so.
