Elissa, always attentive, rustled up some fruits and a small plate of beef stew for Brantley, who devoured them with the voracious appetite of a growing lad.

With a playful grin, the maid quipped, “Boys this age can eat a horse and still ask for dessert.”

Brantley’s face flushed with embarrassment as he shot back, “No way!”

Elissa chimed in gently, “She’s just teasing, kiddo.”

Brantley felt a lump form in his throat, torn between tears and gratitude.

Though he felt embarrassed, a flicker of joy spurred him on, and he attacked his homework with newfound energy.

Elissa reviewed his work with a critical eye, her standards firmer than Raphael’s.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of her phone shattered the quietude of the moment.

Brantley breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze fixed on Elissa as she conversed with Raphael, his ears straining to catch every word…

A persistent feeling of doubt gnawed at Brantley’s confidence.

glanced at him before saying

And he’s eaten plenty.”

the other end

Brantley’s presence, Elissa carefully navigated the conversation, steering clear of any hint of

ended, her tone turned

better than to miss

glance at Elissa before

additional attention…

harbored a constant

of the night, the maid

Jones, Brantley’s

out

her eyes, Elissa hastily donned

dim light, Brantley tossed and turned,

forehead as

gentle touch confirmed her suspicions: Brantley

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