Chapter 8: Sisterhood
Back at the penthouse, the transformation was already underway. Interior designers hired by Mateo had spent two non-stop days transforming the guest suite adjacent to Chloe’s room into an enchanting space filled with warm woods, custom murals of starry skies, and soft pastel linens.
Chloe had taken her role as big sister—by twelve minutes, according to the official birth records—very seriously.
"Look, Emma!" Chloe said, leading her sister to a low table covered in colored pencils and drawing paper. "Daddy said we can draw pictures for your mommy's hospital room."
Emma sat down hesitantly. She picked up a worn yellow pencil, then looked at the brand-new box of 120 artist-grade colored markers Chloe pushed toward her.
"Are these... allowed to be used?" Emma asked quietly.
"They're ours!" Chloe declared. "You can use all of them!"
Mateo stood by the doorframe, watching in silence. He noticed how Emma drew with remarkable precision—an undeniable inheritance from Elena's artistic soul. Emma was sketching a large tree with two little girls holding hands beneath it, one wearing yellow, one wearing brown.
"Daddy, look!" Chloe called out, spotting him.
Mateo walked over and crouched beside the table, studying the drawing. "This is beautiful, Emma. You have your mother's talent."
Emma beamed, a rare spark of pride lighting up her eyes. "Mommy says art is how you say things when words are too heavy."
Mateo swallowed hard, touched by the depth within such a small soul. "Well, how about we take this drawing to your mommy this afternoon?"
May you like
Emma threw her little arms around Mateo’s neck in a spontaneous hug. It was the first time she had initiated physical affection with him. Mateo closed his eyes, holding her tiny frame, feeling the missing piece of his soul finally locking into place.
---
