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.

of tenderness, Elissa glanced at him before saying softly into the phone,

And he’s eaten plenty.”

the

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

call ended, her tone

know better than to miss that

gripped his pen, stealing a glance at Elissa

requiring any additional attention…

well-behaved children harbored a

the maid

Jones, Brantley’s

keeps calling out for his

hastily donned a

and turned, caught in

sweat dotted his forehead as

suspicions: Brantley was

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