Jenna's POVAs I walked away from the reporter and the cameraman, Sarah followed closely, holding up and arranging the train of my dress for the full effect. I began to walk up the stairs that led to the entrance of the building in which the award ceremony would take place. I had already mentally planned out the next few minutes. I had planned that the moment I got to the top of the stairs, I would turn around slowly and wave to the crowd while gently tossing my head to the wind. "Remember what we talked about, Sarah," I muttered underneath my breath to Sarah. She looked sweaty and exhausted, her eyes darting back and forth between the crowd and our lane. She appeared to not have heard me and so I discreetly jabbed her in the side with my pointy elbow. She winced in pain and her eyes came to meet mine. She flinched when her furious gaze met mine and quickly stammered out an apology. "I'm… I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that."I rolled my eyes at her and as a camera flashed, I quickl
Jenna's POVI inhaled a shaky breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."With a silent nod, Sarah released the hold on my train, sending it cascading down the stairs in a glorious emerald wave. Mentally reciting the steps I'd meticulously planned, I turned on my heel, a slow, deliberate motion that allowed the full impact of the dress to be captured by the cameras.The crowd's reaction was… muted. I felt a flicker of panic. Had they not seen the intricate beadwork? The way the fabric shimmered like a mermaid's dream? What was I doing wrong?Desperate to salvage the moment, I reached for the "hair toss" Sarah had mentioned. Just as I tilted my head back, a rogue gust of wind whipped through the red carpet, catching a loose strand of hair and plastering it unattractively across my face.The frustrated groan that escaped my lips was thankfully drowned out by a collective gasp from the crowd. A commotion near the entrance momentarily stole everyone's attention. A tall, imposing figure was stridi
Eddie's POVPushing open Chloe's door a crack, I peeked inside. The room was bathed in the warm glow of a bedside lamp, casting long shadows across the walls. Chloe lay sprawled on her bed, a stuffed unicorn clutched tightly in one hand. The sight brought a tug to my chest, a reminder of the innocent world she inhabited, blissfully unaware of the complications plaguing the adults around her."Hey, sleepyhead," I called out softly, closing the door gently behind me.Chloe stirred slightly, a frown creasing her brow. "Daddy?" she mumbled, her voice muffled by the unicorn."That's right, princess," I said, walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge. "Time to wake up."Chloe's eyes fluttered open, blinking away the remnants of sleep. "Is it morning already?" she asked, her voice groggy."Not quite," I chuckled. "But it's getting close to dinner time. Are you feeling hungry?"Her eyes widened in response. "Dinner?" she repeated, a hint of excitement in her voice."Absolutely," I confi
Jenna's POVI wanted to immediately turn to Sarah and ask her why she hadn't done what I asked her to, but I couldn't. Liam Thompson was fast approaching and from the glint in his eyes, I knew that he wouldn't let me go scot-free this time. A long time ago (weeks), he had visited the set of another movie I was working on as a cameo and guest star. It had been my first time working with him and so, naturally, I had flirted with him. But that had been before I had met Amelia and realized that I wanted Eddie back. But Liam apparently had a massive ego and could not even fathom not being wanted or being ignored because ever since I had blown him off, he had become even more insistent and persistent on getting my attention. Sarah, sensing my discomfort, hovered awkwardly behind me, her eyes darting nervously between Liam and me. I clenched my jaw, fighting back the urge to turn and hiss at her for letting him approach.Liam's smile widened as he reached us, his gaze lingering a beat too
Jenna's POVThere it was, the backhanded compliment. Michelle knew damn well emerald was my least favorite color, a fact I'd confided in her during a "friendly" lunch date a few months ago. I forced a smile, the taste of metal on my tongue a sign of my tightly gritted teeth."Thank you, Michelle," I replied coolly. "Your sunshine yellow is positively radiant against this red carpet." My words were polite, but the pointed reference to her dress, a shade she often used to project an overly cheerful persona, carried a subtle sting.Michelle's smile faltered for a fleeting second before she recovered, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Why, Jenna, you're too kind. But yellow is such a happy color, don't you think? It just brightens everyone's mood. And besides, that emerald dress is simply divine. Where on earth did you find it?"I gritted my teeth, forcing a smile back at her. "Thanks, Michelle. It's from a new boutique in Beverly Hills." I knew my answer was vague, but I didn't want to give
Jenna's POVJust beside her, I spotted Brandon, his broad shoulders filling out his tuxedo as he chatted with a group of men I didn't recognize.Here we are, Ms. McDonald," the usher said, stopping beside a seat with a silver nameplate that read "Jenna McDonald" in elegant script. "Your seat awaits.""Thank you," I murmured, offering him a grateful smile. He gave a short bow before melting back into the crowd, leaving me alone with my pounding heart and the sea of expectant faces. Taking a deep breath, I smoothed out the emerald folds of my dress and slid into the plush chair.The seat was surprisingly comfortable, the velvet providing a luxurious embrace. I glanced around, taking in the scene in more detail. Directly in front of me, a group of young actors, clearly new to the awards circuit, were nervously fidgeting and whispering amongst themselves. To my left, a seasoned actress with a reputation for being difficult was engrossed in a heated conversation on her phone, her face cont
Jenna's POVSarah nudged me excitedly, a wide smile plastered on her face.But I felt numb. My body moved on autopilot, a practiced smile gracing my lips as I rose from my seat and made my way towards the stage. The climb felt like an eternity, each step echoing the hollowness within me.As I reached the stage, the host beamed at me, offering his congratulations. I mumbled a thank you, my voice barely audible. Taking the golden statuette from his hands, I gripped it tightly, the cold metal a stark contrast to the burning turmoil inside.The blinding lights of the stage reflected in my eyes, blurring the faces in the audience. Just then, I had a brilliant idea and my lips spread into a smile. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted the microphone and a resolute smile bloomed on my face."Wow," I began, my voice surprisingly steady despite the tremor in my heart. "Thank you. This is... incredible. Thank you to the Academy for this immense honor. I am truly humbled." A beat of silence followed
Eddie's POVLetting Amelia go was one of the hardest things I had ever done. When she kissed Chloe and told her she would be back soon, my heart nearly broke. At that moment, I nearly called out for her to beg her to not leave. But I held in the urge. Remember Eddie. She's just your nanny and chef. Nothing else.And so I stayed silent until the door closed with a resounding click. Chloe who watched Amelia leave turned back to me with a pout. "Daddy, why didn't you stop Amelia from leaving?"I cast my face down and focused on the chocolate milk I was preparing for her. Chloe's question hung in the air, a blunt edge to the childish innocence in her voice. I fumbled with the carton of milk, the plastic crinkling under my tightening grip."She just needed some time alone, sweetheart," I finally managed, my voice strained."But why?" Chloe persisted, her big blue eyes full of concern. "Did I do something wrong?"The guilt gnawed at me. How could I explain the tangled mess of emotions th
Amelia’s POVIt's been a few weeks since Eddie and I had gotten back together. It had taken him only a couple of weeks to convince me to move in with him again, but this time around, it was not as his nanny or his chef, it was as his girlfriend. According to him, he wanted to spend as much time as possible before I had to go back to Florida to resume duty with my agency. Jenna had been slammed with a restraining order along with the promise of a lawsuit if she did not leave us alone. For good measure, Eddie had made sure to properly adopt Chloe as his legal daughter. That way Jenna would not be able to cause us any more trouble.“Babe! Hurry up, we're gonna be late!” That was Edie yelling from downstairs, while I was in the closet in his… in our room, getting ready. Together with my parents, Blair, James, and Chloe, we were all going to a restaurant to celebrate my mom finally beating cancer.I looked down at Chloe who had gotten her hand on my lipgloss and was now putting it on and
Eddie’s POVAmelia's gaze flickered between me and the bustling crowd before she sighed and gestured toward a doorway at the back."Let's talk somewhere else, shall we?"I did not want to have to talk to her. I wanted to be with her at my home, where I could talk to her and have all to myself."Forget the break room," I said, a newfound determination coursing through me. "Let's go somewhere we can actually talk."Amelia hesitated, then shrugged. "Alright," she conceded. "But I do have to finish my shift first."Frustration bubbled up within me, but I knew pushing her wouldn't help. "Fine," I muttered, trying to tamp down on my impatience. "How long?""Just another hour," she replied, checking her watch. "How about we meet somewhere? My place isn't really ideal.""My place is close by," I offered, surprising myself with the boldness. "It's quiet, we can talk there."Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Your place? That wasn't exactly part of the plan, Eddie.""Well, plans change," I said, a play
Eddie’s POV"It was a mistake, Eddie," she choked out, her voice barely audible. "A one-time thing… a long time ago.""A one-time thing?" I repeated, my voice cracking. The image of a younger, naive Jenna flashed before my eyes, a girl I thought I knew everything about. Now, she seemed like a stranger."Who was he?" I demanded with the need to know gnawing at me.Jenna hesitated, then whispered a name I vaguely recognized. It was someone from the film industry, a rising star she'd met during her brief stint in Los Angeles. They had a short fling, a whirlwind romance that ended as quickly as it began.The revelation hit me like a sucker punch. All the doubts I'd ignored, the whispers in the back of my mind, the nagging feeling that things weren't quite right – it all came flooding back with a terrifying clarity. Years of my life were built on a lie. Chloe, my sweet, innocent daughter, was caught in the crossfire of my naivety and Jenna's betrayal.Fury boiled within me, a churning infe
Eddie’s POVThe doctor gave a small smile. "Of course. Let her rest for a few minutes, and then you can go in."As we waited, James explained what little he knew. He'd been picking up Chloe from school when a call came through from the hospital. Apparently, another kid had swerved into Chloe's path while riding his scooter.A surge of anger flared up within me. How could someone be so careless? But the anger quickly dissipated, replaced by a fierce protectiveness over my little girl.Minutes later, we were ushered into the room. Chloe lay propped up in bed, her face pale and drawn, a white cast encasing her arm. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw me."Daddy!" she cried out, her voice small and wobbly.My heart ached at the sight of her distress. "Hey, champ," I said, rushing to her side and pulling her into a gentle hug, careful not to jostle her injured arm. "It's okay, I'm here now."She buried her face in my chest, her small body trembling slightly. I showered her with comforti
Amelia’s POVThe question hung heavy in the air. Friends? Could we really go back to that after everything that had happened? A part of me longed for the simplicity of our old friendship, the easy camaraderie we'd shared. But another part of me worried that friendship wouldn't be enough. The feelings I had for Eddie, the unspoken desires that had simmered beneath the surface of our relationship, wouldn't just disappear. They would linger, a constant reminder of what could have been.Taking a deep breath, I typed out a reply. "I… I don't know, Eddie. Honestly, I need some time to think. This whole situation has been a lot to process.""I understand," he replied almost instantly. "Take all the time you need. Just know that… I care about you, Amelia. More than you probably realize."His words sent a blush creeping up my neck. Did he really feel the same way? Or was this just a desperate attempt to hold onto me in any way he could? I didn't have the answers, and the uncertainty gnawed at
Amelia’s POVI stared at the message for what felt like an eternity, my mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions. Finally, with a shaky breath, I typed out a reply."Eddie," I began, my fingers hovering over the screen, "I… I don't know what to say. Thank you for the money. It means the world to me and my mom. But ...is everything alright? James said you collapsed. Are you in the hospital?" I hit send, the weight of the question hanging heavy in the air. The money, the cryptic message – it all pointed to something more serious than he was letting on.The wait for a response stretched into an agonizing eternity. Just as I started to pace the room, my phone buzzed. It was Eddie."Amelia," his voice rasped through the phone, weaker than I'd ever heard it. "Yes, I'm in the hospital. They're still trying to figure things out, but the doctor says I have Angiina due to stress."My chest tightened. Stress. The word echoed in my head, a stark reminder of the turmoil I'd left him in. "Eddie,"
Amelia’s POVI knew that there was no way that he and Jenna had actually been together in the way that she had been insinuating.Jenna had probably been playing another of her manipulative tricks. Regardless, I was exhausted and had had to tell myself that it would be better to end it with Eddie than to be dealing with hurt and frustration every day. James had been giving me updates on both Chloe and Eddie and although I knew I should tell him to stoop so that I could have a clean break, I did not think I had the heart to do so.The rhythmic rumble of the bus engine vibrated through the worn leather seat I occupied. Outside the window, the cityscape blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors, each passing image signifying my new reality. A reality where I, Amelia Brooks, was no longer Eddie Turner's nanny. Today's successful interview meant I could finally stand on my own two feet, financially independent. A bittersweet victory, considering the reason behind this newfound freedom.A soft c
Eddie’s POVHis words held a truth that stung. Jenna's behavior had become increasingly erratic, her possessiveness suffocating. But the thought of facing Amelia, of dredging up the hurt and confusion of that day, filled me with dread.I could not say anything, I could only nod my head in response. Just then, my head began to pound again, this time around in sync with my heart.My vision swam, the pounding in my head morphing into a relentless drum solo. The room seemed to tilt on its axis, James' concerned face warping into a blurry mess. A guttural cough ripped through me, sending another jolt of pain lancing through my chest."James…" I croaked, the word a raspy whisper. My hand reached out, blindly grasping for something solid. My fingers brushed against the armrest of the chair, anchoring me momentarily."Eddie, mate! What's wrong?" James' voice was laced with alarm, his concern cutting through the fog clouding my mind."Head…" I managed, the word slurred. My grip on the armrest
Eddie’s POVAmelia had left a gaping hole in my heart."But will she ever come back?" Chloe persisted, her lower lip trembling slightly."I… I don't know, sweetheart," I admitted, the truth a bitter pill to swallow. A heavy sigh escaped Chloe's tiny lips. "Okay," she mumbled, staring out the window with a wistful expression. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions.Reaching over, I squeezed her hand gently. "Look," I began, my voice softened with love. "No matter what happens with Amelia, you'll always be my little girl. And no matter what, I'll always be here for you. Always."Chloe looked at me, a flicker of reassurance sparking in her eyes. "Really?" she asked, her voice a hesitant whisper."Really," I confirmed, my voice firm with conviction. "You're the most important thing in the world to me, you know that?"She nodded slowly, a small smile gracing her lips. For a moment, the tension seemed to ease, a fragile connection established between us.Reaching t