Recovery

Stella peered at the bags she meant to put up with and sighed closing the doors to turn to him. Unafraid, she moved closer.

Mia fidgeted and stopped putting up with him as well.

"I have something to say," She told him, his hazel eyes scanned her, her feet started to feel like jello, the fear was there but this was the same justification for this whole mess.

"Go ahead," His voice resounded in her head, grounds battled with the sentiment, she had to see this with unclouded eyes.

"I'm leaving, Madrid...with Mia," She said.

Max toughened and held on to her,

"Last week, you were abducted..."

She shook her head "I know that"

"...under administration and men were assassinated."

She didn't know if she would ever remain the same after that horrible experience, she worried excessively about Mia and checked on her over time but Max decided to hedge her in again like a prisoner, she wouldn't tolerate that.

"All because I was so naive to raise bigger questions."

"I'm taking off," She said.

"And I'm not letting you go"

"It's not safe here,"

"Nowhere is safe, you're safe with me"

"Do you know how it feels to not be able to keep it together with Mia through the abduction?"

"That's exactly how I felt when I lost you and Mia"

She scoffed.

"You're not going to make me admit guilt every day of my life are you?" He asked and she toughened up.

"I'm not going to overlook this," She said.

"I have a lot of people who finally have a reason to blame me for everything that's taken place, don't start now Sirena"

"I blame you, Max, I blame you!" She huffed and puffed pacing about.

"You're the only one capable of hurting me and you're doing just that. I know it's complicated but_"

"Where were you when I needed you? You abandoned me, you fabricated lies. You keep everything from me"

He fidgeted "I'm not going to simulate that you weren't planning on keeping Mia a secret. It was for your own interest. I wasn't going to drag you into this family crisis either.

It's not always about you Stella, get that into your head"

She shuddered with bitterness "I don't even know why I let you bring me here in the first place"

"I brought you both here so I can be a better father and perhaps a better groom to my wife"

"I am not your wife" She snapped.

"Are you my mistress then?" He mumbled and his hand stroked her face.

She heated up.

"I'd be happy to put you in that place as well"

"I'm being thoughtful"

"You only speak from a place of pain, Sirena. I won't apologize anymore because that's the only thing you think I have to offer"

"My decision still stands, I'm taking Mia and I'm going home" She sniffed.

Max gazed at Mia, she was staring at him likewise and she put her fist on his shirt, he was surprised that she had been the whole time, she was a ray of sunshine.

"I have to clean up, that bathroom better be in good shape or you'll be giving the housemates trouble"

Stella felt relief as he brought her back to her.

"The bathroom is spotless"

"Good, I left a shaving kit in there"

She lurched when he held her shoulders "What are you doing?"

"Walk or do I have to push you in myself"

Her breathe caught "I don't think this is necessary"

"I do," He said and closed the door, she rolled her eyes and Mia giggled.

He pulled up a shaving kit and shaved accordingly.

"Let her watch"

"I don't think she'll have to worry about learning," She said as Mia focused on him swinging her hands as if to grab him.

He turned after patting his face with a towel and leaned over.

"She still recognizes me" He quirked an eyebrow. "It could be traumatic you know? Discovering that daddy disappeared. I want her to live every day to remember me as much she recognizes you, Sirena"

"Touché"

"Have you seen the horses, Sirena?" His eyes twinkled.

"What horses?"

"At the back, outside"

"I don't care for chargers, Max. I want to go home"

He grinned taking her by the hand so they could go outside.

She gazed at the large garden and flowers blossoming. Appreciating the aesthetic, she smiled.

"Do you like it, Sirena? I water them every week" He said.

"Really? Because I haven't seen you lift a finger"

"Very early in the daylight, you see flowers are very subtle, you must be rigorous with them but you must also be very subtle," He said plucking a cabbage rose to give to her.

She scoffed "Did your father tell you that?"

His eyes flickered "No, my mother,"

She softened and lowered her hands on the pouch Mia was sleeping on. "Oh"

"She was so busy keeping me up on my feet that I almost forgot what a TV was..."

She pulled back as he opened the wooden gate to enter,

He walked to the stables,

Consciously, her eyes followed his casual stride, it was quick but graceful, indeed he had a good walking step. His brown hair appeared lighter in the sun and a dimple appeared when he acquainted himself with the horse he especially picked with brown skin, white mane and tail, it was big around the loins and hollered when he came.

Her eyes roved at every action on his set shoulders and biceps as he saddled it and took his time to adjust the buckle.

"Nice to see you, Starlight," He said.

Its head lowered in a nod nudging him and he grinned.

He called for Amelia and she rushed over to get Mia.

Stella held her firmly, even from Amelia, she was scared to leave her alone.

"Ven aqui" He raised a hand.

"If you must, I understand, but that is what the boss wants"

"Sirena,"

"I'll stay here,"

The horse started to turn and he rode toward them.