Chapter 100

“I’m going away soon,” Allena explained simply, her voice almost cracking. “In a few weeks. Which means I won’t be your nanny anymore.”

Justin watched as she swallowed hard after each long breath. And he knew, in that moment, how hard it was for her.

No one said anything for several seconds. Cassie was fiddling with her cards, and he noticed that. Jayden was tugging on his bottom lip with his teeth.

“So, you won’t be taking care of us?” his son asked quietly, his concentration focused on the cards in his hand.

Allena nodded and spoke gently. “No, sweetie, I won’t. You’ll have a new nanny who will look after you.”

His son still didn’t look up. “Just not you?”

Cassie got off her chair and stood beside Allena. “But I don’t want a new nanny.”

Allena grasped his daughter’s hand gently. “I know you don't, and it’ll be hard at first. For all of us,” she added, and she glanced up at him.

Justin saw his daughter’s expression crumble, and his heart just about broke. His kids understood. They kn