rmth. "Welcome home, Julia. This is

ened in surprise at how tidy everything was. "Wow, you're quite the organized one

en. "Yeah, sometimes I cook for myself, but I'

ble bedrooms and the cozy decor. When they reached the second master b

We've just gotten married, and I know you might not be com

ent, grateful that Max understood her tho

e and gently tucked them behind her ear. Julia's face flushed red, thinking he

, "How about you bringing your mother to stay with

u, Max! But I don't want to burden you wit

e, aren't you? he said, impressed. "But I like that about you, Julia. I will t

erstanding. Thank you, Max. This is a beauti

ction. "I'm happy to have you here, Julia

living room, the modern kitchen, and the comfortable bedroo

say," she stuttered, her vo

e pulled her into a warm embrace.

ppy. This is our new home, and

ity that she had never felt before. She knew that Max was

a house. It's safer and cheaper to rent, and besides, I wo

one" Julia, as your husband, it's my responsibility to take care of you. Please don't worry abou

her words, "Are you angry?

know that you're my responsibility, and I'm committed to takin

. I've never had a man stand up for me like this

ly. "I promise to make this marriage work, and don't worry, I'm wil

l the responsibility, think we should thick-off a house from

Okay, madam, your

ty." But he simply said, "I'm glad you're comfortable wi

he heard a woman's worried voi

arrested by the insurance company for an

auded an insurance company some years a

hold of him for many years, all to no a

since then, no one has heard from him. Now that the insurance company couldn't

. "Why did they pick her

ted by her daughter, who helped with paying the bills, and Maria was another

ase hurry up and come over. Your mother and I were about to step out wh

ulia, but we need to act fast. Your mother is being held at the pol

. She felt a surge of anger towards her fathe

o, Maria?" Julia aske

igure out our next step. And Julia,

She felt a sense of determination. She knew Jul

onversation with a concerned expression. "I have to

oncern to anger. "I'll dr

lia filled Max in on the situation. He listened intent

s already there, pacing back and forth. Ju

his eyes fixed on hers. And she knew she wasn't alone. S

other's situation. She couldn't believe her fa

ollowing closely behind. Maria w

aria said, hugging her. "

struggling not to let out. It's not