doesn’t make it mine.”
She was quiet for a moment.
Then she smiled sadly.
“My mother used to say character is what you do when nobody is watching.”
She picked up Riley.
“I hope I never forget.”
Ethan felt something shift inside him.
Catherine inhaled slowly.
“Come on. Before I start crying during work hours.”
She turned.
Ethan was standing in the doorway.
Catherine screamed.
Her bucket tipped completely this time.
Water rushed across the floor.
Straight over Ethan’s expensive shoes.
Silence.
Catherine stared down.
Then up.
Then at Riley.
“We have achieved something historic,” she whispered.
Ethan said nothing.
“Fired before lunch.”
His eyes moved from the soaked shoes to the carefully arranged money.
Then to her handwritten note.
“You’re not fired.”
Catherine blinked.
“I’m not?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She glanced at his shoes.
“Because your feet are suggesting otherwise.”
Something happened to Ethan’s face.
November 8, 2026 · editor editor
The corner of his mouth moved upward.
“Catherine, I want to offer you another position.”
She stared at him.
“What kind of position?”
“My personal household assistant.”
