Eddie’s POV"Not much," David admitted with a grimace. "The lawyer keeps spinning things, making mountains out of molehills. It's frustrating, to say the least."The next few hours were a blur of legal jargon, tense negotiations, and increasingly heated arguments. The lawyer, a slick-looking man with a face that seemed permanently set to 'smug,' wouldn't budge. Every concession we offered, he countered with a new demand. My patience wore thin as sandpaper, and I could see James's knuckles turning white as he gripped the armrests of his chair.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lawyer called for a break. He sauntered out of the room, leaving an oppressive silence in his wake."This is getting us nowhere," I muttered, slamming a fist on the table."Tell me about it," David grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.James, ever the optimist, tried to inject some positivity. "Hey, at least we're still talking. That means there's a chance we can reach a settlement."I wasn't so
Eddie’s POVIgnoring his further attempts to downplay the situation, I took a deep breath. "Mark, the factory manager, just informed me that they've found security footage from the day of the accident. Footage that clearly shows Mr. Johnson, your client, completely ignoring the mandatory PPE station."The lawyer's face turned a shade paler than his already pale suit. His smugness had evaporated, replaced by a mixture of shock and anger. "That's—that's impossible!" he sputtered, his voice losing its usual confident edge."Not impossible," I countered, a satisfied smirk playing on my lips. "Just inconvenient for your case, wouldn't you say?"The next few minutes were a whirlwind of activity. David, with renewed vigor, spoke with the lawyer on speakerphone, laying out the evidence and the ramifications of Mr. Johnson's negligence. The lawyer blustered and argued, but his attempts were feeble. The evidence was clear-cut.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the lawyer conceded. He
Amelia's POVI could feel Blair's shock and surprise as she automatically wrapped her arms around me. My tears slipped down my face as I held on to her tightly without saying a word. "Amelia," Blair started, her voice full of concern and worry, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"I sniffed and pulled away from her, not knowing where to begin. She put my hair back and cupped my cheek. "Honey, what's wrong? You're scaring me. Is it Eddie? Did something happen between you two? Is that why you're here with your bags?"I nodded, sniffed again and launched into my story. I told her of how Eddie and I had slept together last night and how we had even confessed to been in love with each other. Then I told her of Jenna's visit earlier in the morning and how she had insinuated that she was moving in because she and Eddie we're getting back together. Blair's eyebrows furrowed as I narrated my tale. "And you beieleved her just like that? Amelia, we both know Jenna is a bitter, narcissistic an
Amelia's POV"When I woke up this morning," I continued, my voice gaining a touch of strength, "things weren't exactly as I expected."There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "What do you mean? What wasn't as expected?"My gaze flickered to Blair, who offered a small nod of encouragement. "There was... someone else there," I said, the words tasting bitter on my tongue."Someone else? Amelia, who are you talking about?"I took another deep breath, steeling myself for his reaction. "Jenna," I blurted out, hating the way my voice wobbled with unshed tears. "She came to the house this morning and told me she was moving back in."There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. "Jenna? What are you talking about?"His bewildered tone gave me a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Jenna had been lying through her teeth."She said she was coming back to live with you, that you were getting back together," I explained, my voice gaining a touch of strength. "And the
Amelia's POVThere was a hickey on her neck. It was then that I remembered that she had had a date the previous night with James, the guy she had had a one-night stand with a few days ago. Blair looked down at me, obviously startled by the way that I had gasped. "What? What is it? Why did you gasp?" She asked, her words coming out in a rush filled with concern and worry."Blair…" I stammered with my voice barely above a whisper. I gestured towards her neck, feeling incredibly awkward. "There's… there's a…"Blair's hand flew to her neck, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing crimson. "I completely forgot about that!"A relieved laugh escaped my lips, the tension easing from my shoulders. "It's okay," I managed, forcing a smile."No, it's not!" Blair said, flustered. "Here I am, trying to get you all dolled up for Eddie, and I look like I just… well, you know…""No worries," I reassured her again, a playful smile tugging at the corners of my l
Amelia’s POVA playful glint lit up Blair's eyes. "Okay, okay, I confess," she said, leaning in conspiratorially. “So when the date started with James, I thought it would not last because he kept on picking up these frequent calls and was getting carried away with those calls, which were apparently from his work. I got pissed and told him off when the same thing kept happening even after we were done with our meal and about to order dessert. I was ready to leave, but he apologized profusely and explained. Apparently, his boss was engrossed in this huge PR scandal and it required a lot of attention. We eventually ended up going to his place after our dinner.”“Oooooh, you naughty girl,” I teased her while winking at her suggestively.She blushed and rolled her eyes. “Will you let me finish my story?” she huffed.I raised my hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine. I'll keep quiet.” I said as I drew a zipping motion across my lips. “But can we make breakfast first?” I asked. “I did not ha
Amelia’s POVWe both let out a laugh, the nervous energy from our conversation dissipating into a comfortable camaraderie. With a newfound sense of purpose, we began to divide the cleaning tasks. I tackled the dishes, filling the sink with soapy water and dunking the cereal bowls and spoons. Blair, meanwhile, wiped down the counter surfaces, humming along to the upbeat music playing on the radio.As we worked, a comfortable silence settled between us, punctuated only by the clinking of dishes and the whoosh of the sponge against the countertop. It was a familiar silence, one that spoke volumes about the depth of our friendship. Even amidst the whirlwind of unexpected romance, the bond we shared remained as strong as ever. Even as we cleaned up, I could not stop thinking about what Blair had said about double dates. I began to imagine it, Eddie and I going on double dates with Blair and James.A giddy feeling bubbled up in my chest as I pictured the scene. We'd find a quaint little res
Eddie’s POVThe ring was a platinum band set with a single, flawless diamond, and in that simplicity resided a universe of elegance and brilliance. The platinum band, cool and smooth to the touch, whispered of quiet strength and unwavering commitment. Its polished surface gleamed with a soft, silvery sheen, reflecting the light in a way that was both understated and luxurious. But it was the diamond that truly stole the show.This wasn't a gaudy, ostentatious display of size. It was a single stone, meticulously chosen for its flawless perfection. The cut, a classic round brilliant, maximized the diamond's inherent fire, transforming it into a tiny kaleidoscope of light. As you tilted the ring ever so slightly, the facets within seemed to catch the light and ignite a mesmerizing dance. It wasn't a cold, harsh sparkle, but a warm, inviting brilliance that seemed to emanate from within the stone itself. It was like a tiny sun, captured and contained, radiating a light that seemed to poss
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