Alexander glanced at Sofia, who lowered her head. He knelt to Ethan’s eye level. “Ethan, do you like Sofia?” he asked.
“I like her a lot. She’s my best friend,” Ethan replied.
“Why your best friend?” Alexander asked.
Ethan thought for a moment. “Because she plays with me, listens to me, and never rushes me. She believes I’ll walk like the other kids one day.”
Alexander’s heart clenched. “And what about me? Am I your friend?” he asked softly.
Ethan was silent, then whispered, “You’re my dad, not my friend. Dad is important, but a friend is always there.”
The answer pierced Alexander’s chest. He turned to Sofia and saw her eyes glistening. “Ethan, I want to be your friend. Will you let me?” he asked.
“Really, Dad?” Ethan’s eyes lit up.
“Really. But being friends means playing together, listening to your stories, and watching you practice with Tia Sofia,” Alexander said.
Ethan leapt with joy, nearly losing his balance. “Then tomorrow, you have to come to the garden and watch.”
Alexander smiled, a wave of emotions flooding his heart. “I’ll be there. Tomorrow, I promise.”
Ethan threw his arms around his father. “Now I have two best friends, Dad and Tia Sofia.”
Alexander hugged his son tightly, his chest brimming with love. He whispered, “Go to bed now, champ. Tomorrow will be a special day.”
When Ethan had gone upstairs, Alexander turned to Sofia. “Thank you,” he said.
“Thank you for what, sir?” she asked.
“For caring for my son when I didn’t know how,” he replied.
Sofia gave a shy smile. “The boy is very special. Anyone would love him.”
Alexander remained silent, a storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. He told himself, “Tomorrow, I must be there.” He knew he had three meetings scheduled, a video call with investors at eight, and a report to finalize.
But suddenly, all of it felt meaningless. “I’ll be here in the morning,” he said firmly, surprising himself.
That night, Alexander found Ethan fast asleep, his crutches neatly by the bed, as if ready for the day. Sitting at the edge of the bed, Alexander gazed at his son, his heart aching. “How long has it been since I watched him sleep? How many moments of his childhood have I missed?” he thought.
He canceled all three meetings and rescheduled the video call. For the first time, he chose family over work. The next morning, Alexander woke at six-thirty, dressed in simple clothes—a rarity on a weekday—and headed to the kitchen.
Sofia was already there, preparing breakfast. “Good morning, Sofia,” Alexander said, startling her.
“Good morning, Mr. Hayes. You’re up unusually early,” she replied.
“That’s right. Is Ethan still asleep?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. He usually wakes around seven-thirty. We start exercises at eight after breakfast,” Sofia said.
Alexander checked his watch. It was only seven-fifteen. “Is there anything I can help with?” he offered.
Sofia looked flustered. “You want to help prepare breakfast, sir?”
“Of course. What does Ethan like on Monday mornings?” he asked.
“Hotcakes, sir. He says he needs the energy to start the week,” Sofia replied.
Alexander chuckled. “Really? I never knew that.”
Sofia smiled gently. “He always says so. Besides, it gives him motivation for training.”
Alexander watched her skillfully stir the batter and pour each pancake. He realized she wasn’t just cooking; she was creating joy for his son. “Sofia, may I ask you something personal?” he said.
“Yes, sir,” she replied.
“Why do you care so much about Ethan?” he asked.
Sofia paused, then answered softly, “When I was a child, I saw my brother shunned because of his weak legs. I remember the sadness in his eyes when he couldn’t keep up. I became his best friend, making up games he could play, encouraging him to try new things.”
She continued, “It worked. Now Carlos is in high school. He still has limitations, but he never gives up. He lives with strength.”
Alexander studied her, seeing deep pride in her eyes. “And you want the same for Ethan?” he asked.
“What I want is for him to be happy. I want Ethan to believe he can do anything, because with a loving family, he’ll go further than my brother ever could,” she said.
Alexander’s chest tightened with emotion and shame. His son had every material comfort but lacked his parents’ care. At that moment, Ethan entered the kitchen, his hair tousled, gripping his crutches.
“Dad!” he exclaimed. “You haven’t gone to work?”
“Good morning, champ. Today I stayed to watch you train, remember?” Alexander said.
Ethan’s eyes lit up. “Really? You’ll see how strong I’ve become?”
“Of course. But first, let’s have breakfast. Sofia made special hotcakes for you,” Alexander said.
Ethan cheered, hobbling to the table. During breakfast, Alexander observed quietly. His son and Sofia laughed like old friends, sharing stories and planning their training.
Ethan was so happy he couldn’t stop talking, constantly turning to his father. “Dad, did you know I climbed three steps without crutches?” he said.
Alexander’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s amazing.”
“And I know stretching exercises like grown-ups,” Ethan added.
“Stretching exercises?” Alexander asked.
“Yes, Tia Sofia taught me. She says muscles have to be ready before practice,” Ethan said.
Alexander glanced at Sofia, seeing she knew exactly what she was doing. At eight, they went to the garden. Sofia spread a mat on the grass. “Come on, Ethan. Let’s start with stretches,” she said.
Ethan lay down, performing each movement with precision. Alexander was astonished. “Very good. Now we’ll work on balance,” Sofia said, helping Ethan to his feet and setting the crutches aside.
“Try standing for thirty seconds without them. If you succeed, tomorrow we’ll try forty-five,” she said.
Ethan lifted his chin with determination. “I want to try a whole minute.”
“Take it slow. Thirty seconds is already excellent,” Sofia said.
Ethan let go of his crutches. Alexander held his breath, watching his son tremble as he tried to stay upright. “Fifteen seconds,” Sofia counted, her voice encouraging.
“See that, Dad?” Ethan called out, his eyes fixed ahead.
“I see it. You’re incredible,” Alexander said.
“Twenty-five. Thirty,” Sofia finished. Ethan wobbled and nearly fell, but she caught him.
“I did it! A full thirty seconds!” Ethan shouted in triumph.
Alexander swept his son into his arms, his eyes glistening. “Ethan, I’m so proud of you!”
The boy beamed, panting with excitement. “Now you understand why I love training with Tia Sofia, right?”
“I understand,” Alexander whispered. In the days that followed, he began to change. He no longer left at dawn but stayed for breakfast and watched Ethan’s morning practice.
The more he observed, the more he marveled at Ethan’s progress. The boy could stand longer, walk with confidence, and his smile returned. One afternoon, while Ethan was drawing in his room, Alexander invited Sofia into the library.
The vast room, lined with bookshelves, felt warmer than usual. Standing by the window, Alexander hesitated before turning to her. “Sofia, I owe you more than gratitude. What you’ve done for Ethan goes beyond a housemaid’s duties.”
“You’ve given my son hope, and you’ve given it to me as well,” he added.
Sofia shook her head, flustered. “Mr. Hayes, I only did what my heart told me. I never expected more than seeing Ethan happy.”
Alexander stepped closer, his expression sincere. “That’s why I want to make you a proposal. I want you to become Ethan’s official therapeutic companion, not just a maid.”
Sofia froze, her eyes widening. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
“I mean dedicate all your time to Ethan. The other housework will be handled by someone else. Your sole responsibility will be to support him, continue what you’ve been doing, but officially, with proper recognition and compensation,” he explained.
Sofia fidgeted, her hands twisting. “But, sir, I don’t have a degree. Everything I know comes from helping my brother. That’s not enough to—”
Alexander interrupted gently. “Then I’ll sponsor your education. I’ll cover the full cost of a physical therapy program—tuition, books, everything. Meanwhile, you’ll stay here, work with Ethan, and receive a higher salary. Your family will also be supported.”
Tears welled in Sofia’s eyes. “Mr. Hayes, why would you do this for me?”
“Not just for you. I’m doing it for Ethan. My son needs you, not only as a friend but as a source of strength I can’t replace. And you deserve the chance to pursue what you’re gifted at,” he said.
Sofia lowered her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. Gratitude, fear, and joy flooded her heart. She thought of her mother and brother struggling to make ends meet. “Mr. Hayes,” her voice broke, “I won’t let you down. I promise to give my whole heart to Ethan.”
Alexander nodded, a spark of trust in his eyes. News of Ethan’s progress soon spread through high society. Some of Alexander’s acquaintances, who knew him as a cold businessman, began to whisper.
They couldn’t believe a billionaire would let a maid influence his son so deeply. At a charity gala, Alexander brought Ethan along. Sofia appeared in a simple pale blue dress, drawing curious and disdainful glances.