Amelia’s POVBlair squeezed my hand. "You're not being foolish, Amelia. It's natural to let your guard down when you connect with someone. But this whole situation with Jenna… yeah, it's a major curveball.""Exactly," I said, wiping away a stray tear with the back of my hand. "I don't even know what to think.""He did apologize, right?" Blair pressed gently."Yes," I admitted. "He said he messed up."Blair squeezed my shoulder gently. "You know, you don't have to rush into anything," she said. "Take your time to process this. Talk to Eddie when you're ready, but don't let him pressure you."I nodded again, a wave of gratitude washing over me for having Blair by my side. "I know," I said. "It's just… I thought things were going so well with him. We just confessed our feelings for each other, and now this.""Yeah, it's definitely a curveball," Blair agreed. "But listen Amelia," she said, her voice firm now, "you deserve someone who is honest with you, someone who respects you. And if Ed
Amelia’s POV"How did you...?"The door to the room swung open before I could finish my question, revealing a tall figure with a tired but relieved smile on his face. It was Dad. He looked older, his face etched with worry lines that hadn't been there before. But his eyes, when they met mine, held a warmth that instantly calmed my racing heart."Hey, sweetheart," he said, his voice gruff with emotion. He crossed the room in a few long strides and pulled me into a tight hug. The familiar scent of his aftershave and the calloused strength of his arms brought back a flood of childhood memories."Dad," I mumbled, burying my face in his shirt. Seeing him, after weeks of being on a business trip, brought a fresh wave of relief. He was here now, back by my side and Mom's.He squeezed me tight, his voice thick with emotion. "I just got back this morning. They told me you were here, so I rushed straight up."Pulling back slightly, I looked up at him, a million questions swirling in my head. "B
Amelia's POVI laughed, a genuine sound that filled the sterile hospital room. Despite the tension of the conversation, it was comforting to know Dad still had my back, ready to step in like a knight in shining armor if needed.Just then, a knock on the door interrupted our moment. It creaked open to reveal a tall man in a crisp white coat, his face etched with a mixture of seriousness and professional optimism. It was Dr. Davies, Mom's new oncologist."Amelia, Mr. Johnson," he greeted us with a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "May I come in?""Of course, Doctor," Dad said, gesturing him inside.Dr. Davies pulled up a chair and settled in, his gaze moving between us in a way that suggested he knew about our recent conversation, or at least sensed the emotional undercurrent in the room."I have some news," he began, his voice gentle yet firm. "We've been closely monitoring Mrs. Johnson's response to the new treatment plan, and I'm happy to report that there are some posi
Amelia’s POV"It's understandable," Dad said, putting an arm around my shoulder. "It's been a lot to process for all of us."He was right. The positive news about Mom's treatment, coupled with the conversation about Eddie, had left me feeling emotionally drained."That was… good news," Dad finally said, his voice tinged with awe."It was," I agreed, a smile stretching across my face. "The best news we could have hoped for."We walked for a few moments in companionable silence before Dad spoke again. "So," he began hesitantly, "about what you were saying earlier…"My smile faltered slightly. I knew what he was referring to – Eddie and the whole ex-wife situation."Yeah," I mumbled, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk."Look," Dad continued, his voice gentle, "I'm not going to tell you what to do. But whatever you decide, just make sure you're making the decision for the right reasons. Don't settle for something less than you deserve, Amelia. You're strong and independent, and you have a
Jenna’s POVMy eyes narrowed at James' accusation. He was right, of course. Her sudden appearance, the calculated sweetness towards Chloe – it was all a carefully crafted performance aimed at worming her way back into Eddie's life. But to have it called out so blatantly by a mere assistant irked me.A sharp laugh escaped my lips, tinged with a bitterness that surprised even me. "Worm my way back in? Please, James. Like Eddie ever truly left?"His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might actually take a swing at me. His loyalty to Eddie was admirable, even if it was a little misplaced."That's a matter of opinion," he finally growled, his voice strained."Oh, honey," I drawled, stepping closer to him and lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let's not pretend we both don't know the truth. The business, the stress, the constant travel – it all took its toll. Eddie needed an escape, a release, and that's where I came in."His fists tightened at his sides, and I knew I
Eddie’s POVI also noticed the sugary drink staining Chloe's pajamas – something that would never have happened under Amelia's watchful eye.A wave of anger washed over me, replacing the initial flicker of hope. This wasn't bedtime storytelling; it was a sugar-fueled sugar rush before bedtime, a recipe for a restless night and a cranky morning.Clearing my throat, I stepped into the room. Both Chloe and Jenna jumped, startled. The book clattered to the floor, scattering colorful pages across the carpet."Daddy!" Chloe exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face."Hey, princess," I said, forcing a smile. My gaze flicked to Jenna, who stood there looking flustered, a strand of hair clinging to her brightly painted lips."Eddie," she said, her voice strained. "You're back.""That's clear," I replied, my tone clipped. "What's going on here?""I was just reading Chloe a story," Jenna stammered, picking up the book and dusting it off."A story about princesses and unicorns with q
Jenna’s POVAfter cleaning up Chloe’s room, I tiredly made my way downstairs. Nothing could have ever prepared me for how energetic a child could be and how exhausting it is trying to keep up with them.The house was quiet now, an unsettling silence that contrasted the earlier whirlwind of bedtime stories and sugar highs.Following a sliver of light emanating from beneath the closed study door, I found Eddie slumped over his desk, a half-empty bottle of whiskey keeping him company. A flicker of concern warred with a surge of anger. Here he was, drowning his sorrows with alcohol, while I, the responsible one, had been the one putting Chloe to bed.Pushing the door open a crack, I called out hesitantly, "Eddie?"My voice echoed in the stillness of the room, but he didn't stir. He looked awful, his usually neatly styled hair mussed, his tie loosened, and his face etched with a combination of fatigue and despair. There was something in his hand. It was an old picture, an extremely old one
Jenna’s POVA wave of exhaustion washed over me. Tonight had been emotionally draining, a complex web of manipulation, genuine concern, and a healthy dose of self-preservation.Reaching down, I picked up the empty whiskey bottle and tucked it discreetly behind a stack of books on the nightstand. One last glance at Eddie's sleeping form, and I turned to leave.A shrill ringtone shattered the silence, jolting me back. Startled, I glanced at the bedside table – Eddie's phone was flashing on silent, the name "Amelia" glowing accusingly on the screen.A cold dread slithered down my spine. Amelia calling at this hour? It couldn't be good. My mind raced, a whirlwind of possibilities flickering through my head. Was she calling to apologize? To check on him? Or worse, did she suspect something was amiss?For a fleeting moment, I considered letting the call go to voicemail. But the actress in me, the one who thrived on drama and manipulation, took over. This was an opportunity, a chance to furt
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