Page 112 of Love Unwritten

But still, it is never too early to teach my son the importance of money and how growing up without it not only influenced me but his entire life. “You know that wasn’t always the case.”

His eyes widen. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. My parents struggled a lot, so I didn’t have a lot of things while growing up. We never went on vacation or had a nice house.”

“What about music lessons?”

I shake my head. “Definitely not.”

“Did you have a TV?”

“Yes, but it only had a few channels.”

My life was a far cry from Nico’s, which means I did my job as a father, even if it meant sacrificing love and time to make it possible.

“I may have money now, but it wasn’t always like that, which is why I work hard to make sure you have all the things I always wanted but couldn’t have.”

“Oh.” His frown deepens. “I’m sorry for making fun of work.”

“It’s okay. I’m not telling you so you feel bad. I just want you to understand why working is important to me.”

He throws his arms around my waist and gives me a hug. “Thank you for working hard so we could come on vacation.”

My chest tightens as I ruffle his hair. “You’re welcome.”

I steer him away from the ocean and bring him back to our area. The tension between us becomes a distant memory as we each grab a bucket and our tools.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” he questions me thirty minutes later.

“Kind of?”

On cue, part of the castle’s east wing crumbles.

Nico curls over and laughs. “I knew Ellie made that castle!”

“Hey! I helped.”

His brow arches into a perfect, condescending curve. “Si tu lo dices.”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

His eyes narrow. “Mm. Was your nose always that big, or does it grow every time you lie?”

I throw the bucket aside and grab him. After making sure his glasses are secured with the strap wrapped around the back of his head, I throw him over my shoulder.

“No!” He bangs his fists against my back as I rush toward the ocean.

Si tu lo dices: If you say so.

Water hits my toes, followed by my calves, as I quickly submerge half my body. “This is what you get for saying I have a big nose.”

“I was kidding!”

I fake confusion. “Huh. You were?”

“Yes! I swear!”

I squint. “Hm. Your nose looks bigger now too.”