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“I get where you’re coming from. You’re trying to protect the child.”
“And also it’s true. God is love. My inability to love the people out there doesn’t mean God can’t. He still loves them.” She blew out a breath. “I believe their hearts are in the right place. They love God too and have zeal for Him.”
“Maybe we should change the topic before you talk yourself into sincerely apologizing to them.”
She cracked a smile.
“Should we call child protective services?”
“The aim is never to take a child away from the parents. Not unless absolutely necessary.” She looked at him through his reflection on the silver walls of the elevator. “Which is probably why whoever went to Holly’s place didn’t do anything. It’s a difficult balancing act. I don’t think someone should make a child stand outside a building holding a sign and yelling Bible verses all day. I don’t agree with that man’s views, but that doesn’t give me the right to take his child away.” She tipped her head back against the elevator wall and closed her eyes. “It breaks my heart to see children hurt.”
Seth moved in front of her and tugged her against himself. He rested his face against her hair when she melted against him.
“The boy could be fitted with a prosthetic. He could be running around, playing catch with his friends.” She sniffed, and Seth wrapped his arms tighter around her. “He should be home, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate.”
He wanted to say something to comfort her, but his throat had gone dry.
The people had been protesting outside his office building for nearly a full year, and Seth had never once cared about any of them. His concern was only for the safety of his employees.
Break my heart for what breaks yours.
Seth smoothed down Clary’s hair, and the elevator door opened behind him.
Standing outside was Oliver. His eyes widened when he saw them. I was worried, he mouthed, then quietly took a step back and let the door close again.
Clary stood back and rubbed her fingertips under her eyes, brushing away the moisture. “I’m okay. I’m okay.” She sniffed.
And this was why Grandma Moretti had thought it was better for Clary to come to San Francisco and fix the mess Hugh left behind instead of working at Safe Homes. How many tears had she shed for the children she encountered? How much heartache had she gone through? How many times had she been met with such aggressive behavior?
She tipped her face to the side and studied her reflection. “I think I’ll need to put on some makeup to cover up the mark.” She turned back to him with a smile. “At least I met Grandma Moretti before this happened.”
Seth decided then that he should get the security footage of what happened and keep it on his phone, or Grandma Moretti might just think he had hit Clary.
“Good news?”
Her smile widened. “We have temporary consent.”
“Temporary.”
Clary waved it off. “She just threw that in for just-in-case.”
“Just in case what? Just in case she changes her mind?”
“Just in case she has something else she wants to spring on me.” Clary pursed her lips. “I wonder what else she’s keeping from me.”
“What did she spring on you?”
“That the Bay mansion is mine. Mrs. E left it to me in her will, and apparently I’d have to keep my CEO job to afford the property taxes. I’ve never paid property tax in my life. How much is it?”
“I thought the old wo—May Eolenfeld—died over a decade ago.”
“It’s been in my name since then. Mr. E has been handling everything.”
“Why didn’t they tell you earlier?”
“Because there was no opportunity?” She rolled her eyes. “I suspect she concocted this whole ultimatum thing just so she could dump this news on me without feeling guilty.”
“Why would Mrs. E leave you the mansion?”
