POV: HENRY
We were having lunch at a pleasant restaurant Lucian had suggested—something more casual to meet the new nanny who might help me with Theo. According to my friend, “Someone who understands the boy better,” as Lucian had put it. “A female figure who might fill the void he feels.”
I could barely focus on the food while Theodor played with the juice in front of him, clearly uninterested in everything. I was already growing frustrated with the lack of progress in our relationship.
Lucian, as always, seemed relaxed, observing quietly. He finally spoke, breaking the silence.
“Henry, maybe you’re looking at this the wrong way.”
I sighed, dropping my utensils onto the plate harder than I intended.
“And what would the right way be, Lucian? Please, enlighten me with your wisdom.”
He just laughed.
“Theodor needs this. You’re not failing because you require a little help with the boy. It’ll be good to have someone who understands him, who knows how to handle the pain he’s going through.” Lucian smirked knowingly. “Who knows, maybe the nanny will teach you a thing or two as well?”
Before I could respond, I noticed Theodor staring intently at something on the other side of the restaurant. His eyes were fixed, and he seemed focused on someone—or something.
“Theo, what are you looking at?” I asked, trying to follow his gaze, but other customers blocked my view.
He didn’t respond, just kept staring, which irritated me even more.
“Theodor,” I repeated firmly. He finally broke his gaze and turned back to his juice.
“Nothing,” he muttered. I sighed at his answer but decided to let it go.
Shortly after, the nanny Lucian had recommended arrived. She was exactly what I expected: professional, polite, with an impeccable résumé. But, as usual, Theodor didn’t cooperate. He barely looked at her, and when she tried to approach him, he simply moved away.
“I don’t like her,” he declared loudly enough for everyone to hear, leaving the woman visibly uncomfortable.
“Theodor Carter!” I called his name in reprimand, but he ignored me, crossing his arms defiantly.
Lucian tried to ease the situation, suggesting that maybe someone else might be a better fit, and I didn’t have the patience to argue. We decided to end the lunch early, but as we were leaving the restaurant, everything changed.
While I was adjusting my blazer, Theodor suddenly bolted, disappearing from my sight.
“Theo!” I shouted, irritated, running after him.
When I caught up, I saw him hugging a woman around her legs. He looked at her with such affection and admiration that it left me both surprised and a little confused. How could Theo form such a connection with a stranger and not with his own uncle?
I didn’t approach them immediately. Instead, I decided to observe from near the door, realizing that neither of them had noticed me yet.
The woman kneeled to his level, surprised, and gently stroked Theodor’s hair. Her eyes were swollen, as if she had recently been crying.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” she asked, her voice soft but clearly tired.
“Were you crying?” Theodor asked directly, his innocent curiosity shining through.
The woman nodded slightly, a sad smile forming on her lips.
“I was, little one. I just miss my dad.”
“I miss my parents too,” he replied, and my heart clenched hearing those words. It was the first time he had spoken about the accident with anyone else. But it was his next sentence that caught me completely off guard and left me shaken.
“If you were my mom, we wouldn’t be sad anymore!”
The woman blinked a few times, seeming surprised, but she pulled Theo into a tight hug.
“It’s hard, isn’t it?” she murmured warmly to him.
“Very,” he agreed, his voice breaking.
I stood there, my lips slightly parted. Theo barely spoke to me, yet this woman effortlessly got him to open up!
I ran my hands through my hair, trying to organize my thoughts, when Lucian gave me a light tap on the shoulder, as if to encourage me. I let out a heavy sigh, irritation building inside me. I didn’t like Lauren Becker. I remembered her perfectly. But what bothered me most was that, back then, I clearly wasn’t important enough for her to even remember me now.
I approached them, my shadow casting over her small, delicate frame. Her striking blue eyes met mine with surprise, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
“I have an interesting proposal for you,” I said directly, crossing my arms and looking down at her.
“A proposal?” she replied cautiously, doubt evident in her tone.
I smirked slightly, the kind of smirk I knew was both disarming and charming. She averted her gaze, her pale skin flushing even more.
“No need for small talk, Lauren. I know who you are,” I said, watching as her eyes widened slightly, and her face turned back toward me. “Mrs. Becker, right? The daughter of the tycoon who lost everything—including his life—leaving behind a massive debt for his family. I’m also aware that your marriage to the CEO of PharmaCare Industries ended in an unexpected divorce. It seems your life has been falling apart.” I shrugged, feigning indifference but keeping my gaze fixed on her.
She remained silent, her expression hardening.
“Don’t worry,” I continued, pulling a business card from my pocket and handing it to her. “I’m not interested in the past. My focus is on the present. Theo seems to like you, and that’s more than anyone else has managed.”
Lauren took the card hesitantly. When she turned it over, her eyes landed on the handwritten amount on the back. Her lips parted in shock, but she quickly tried to mask her reaction.
“Not enough?” I asked with a hint of irony, raising an eyebrow and sliding my hands into my pockets in a nonchalant stance. Before she could respond, I added, “I’m a businessman, Mrs. Becker. If you think it’s worth more, we can discuss the numbers.”
Her eyes flickered with surprise, and she looked visibly uncomfortable.
“If you know who I am…” she said, her tone wary, her voice subtly trembling as she swallowed hard, “why are you helping me?”
“It’s not help; it’s a job,” I replied firmly. “Theo needs a nanny, and you need a job. The boy likes you, so it seems perfectly reasonable to offer you this opportunity. Besides, at the moment, you’re the only thing my nephew finds worthy of his attention,” I added, letting a hint of arrogance seep into my tone, though my words carried undeniable truth.
Lauren looked back at the card, and I could see the internal battle reflected in her eyes.
“Decide quickly. My time is valuable, and I hate wasting it,” I said, stepping back and taking Theodor’s hand to leave. “You’ll find I’m not exactly a patient man, Mrs. Becker.”
POV: LAURENI watched that arrogant, imposing man in his impeccable suit walk away, hand in hand with the adorable boy with bright eyes. The boy, however, kept looking back, his sad expression mirroring what I felt inside.“I understand your pain,” I thought, feeling the tightness in my chest. He was so young, facing something so difficult.Suddenly, the boy let go of his hand and ran back to me, gripping the fabric of my clothes with determination.“Please, fairy, you like me, don’t you?” he asked with captivating sweetness, blinking his eyelashes innocently. “I promise I’ll behave. Stay with me!”I held his small hands, surprised and thoughtful.“Of course I like you, my brave little one,” I replied with a smile, watching relief light up his face.“Then you’ll take care of me?” he asked hopefully, bouncing with excitement as he swung my hands.“And? Will you accept?” That firm, commanding voice interrupted, drawing my attention. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, radiating the
POV: LAURENIt was a cold and rainy night. I had spent the entire day planning something special for Ethan and me. After so many days of him seeming distant and indifferent, I thought maybe a thoughtfully prepared dinner could help us reconnect. I made his favorite dish and set the table perfectly, with candles and flowers. The aroma of the roast still filled the house when I heard the front door open.“Ethan?” I called out excitedly as I walked out of the kitchen.He entered without even glancing at me. He took off his wet coat and threw it over the back of the sofa, heading straight for the stairs. Furthermore, he looked exhausted but also detached, as if being home was a burden.“You’re home earlier today. I made dinner. I thought we could eat together,” I said, my tone hopeful.Ethan stopped in the middle of the room, finally looking at me with his deep-set eyes and raised chin. His expression was filled with disinterest as he wrinkled his nose.“I already ate. I had a long meetin
POV: LAURENI grabbed the keys with determination, ready to confront Ethan. The photos on my phone clearly showed that woman sitting on his lap, laughing and drinking with him as if they were a couple. Was it because of her that he had changed so much?Ethan's cruel words echoed in my mind, each syllable a blow to my heart:“You will never be enough for any man. Your infertile womb makes you incomplete. You're incapable of making anyone happy.”My anger exploded, and I screamed into the emptiness of the car:“I made you happy for three years, Ethan! This isn’t fair!”I pounded on the steering wheel, feeling the pain throbbing in my wrists, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest. My eyes burned from the tears welling up, but I refused to let them fall.I looked at the photos on my phone again, my lips trembling, and my heart crushed with pain. The words escaped in a desperate whisper:“Please tell me this is a misunderstanding. Tell me you're not destroying our marriage li
POV: LAURENBefore the worst could happen, I felt strong arms quickly pull me away. My body spun, and I landed on something solid. I kept my eyes closed, my body trembling as I tried to process what had just happened.“Are you okay?” a deep and firm male voice asked near my ear.I slowly opened my eyes and found a strikingly handsome man in front of me. He had dark hair and intense blue eyes, and his serious gaze seemed to examine every detail of my face. His presence was as commanding as the sense of security he exuded.“Take your time,” he said, his expression serious as he watched me.It was only then that I realized I was lying on his firm, muscular chest. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I abruptly stood up, trying to regain my composure.“I'm sorry… thank you for saving me,” I murmured quickly, but before I could take another step, a wave of intense dizziness overwhelmed me. My legs gave out, my body grew heavy, and my vision began to blur.I felt his strong arms catch me
POV: LAURENStill lost in my confused thoughts, I was pulled back to reality by the insistent sound of a cellphone ringing next to the hospital bed. The name of my mother, Amelia, flashed on the screen. I answered quickly, still overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.“Mom?” My voice came out low, filled with uncertainty.“Thank God, I finally reached you! I’ve been calling for hours!” she exclaimed, the urgency in her tone impossible to ignore.“What happened? Are you okay?” I asked, feeling a growing tightness in my chest. “And Dad? Is he okay?”“Dear, we need you to speak to your husband,” my mother got straight to the point, her voice trembling with despair. “Your father’s company suffered a terrible blow. We’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”My heart began to race.“What? What do you mean, a blow?” I exclaimed, sitting up abruptly, the phone nearly slipping from my hand. “Mom, calm down! Explain exactly what’s happening!”On the other end of the line, I heard a sob.“I don’t understan
POV: LAURENOn the other end, he let out a dry laugh filled with contempt.“What kind of question is that?” he exclaimed impatiently, his irritation evident. “I spent three years by your side, and you were never able to get pregnant. It's time to face the truth, Lauren. You’re empty, incapable of having children. Accept it and stop wasting my time. Just tell me—do you accept my terms or not?”A sob escaped my throat, his words cutting into my heart cruelly, as he always knew how to do. My eyes dropped to my stomach, my hand lightly brushing against the fabric of the hospital gown. Silent tears streamed down my face, but my mind was racing.I lifted my chin, forcing myself to think about the future and everything at stake. My family was depending on me.“If you agree to my terms and sign the divorce papers, I’ll save your father’s company today,” Ethan added coldly, ignoring my sobs entirely. “So, do you accept or not?”I took a deep breath, fighting the lump in my throat.“I accept,”
POV: LAURENThe sun was setting on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as I stared at the coffin in front of me. My hands trembled, not just from the pain of loss, but from the guilt of not acting quickly enough. I hadn’t managed to fix the company in time. I let myself get consumed by the conflict with Ethan and took too long to save my father and his empire.His skin was pale, his lips a bluish hue. Flowers covered his body up to his neck. A tight knot formed in my chest, and the pain was overwhelming. Beside me, my mother sobbed uncontrollably, clutching the coffin and begging the man she loved to come back. But he wouldn’t. He would never again make us laugh with his nonsensical jokes, tell his stories, guide us with his wisdom, or protect us from the world.“Oh, Dad, why did you do this to us?” I murmured through tears, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I leaned closer to the coffin and placed a kiss on his cold forehead. “Rest in peace. I promise
POV: LAURENMy breathing grew heavy, my body trembling with anger and humiliation. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.“Get out of here!” I shouted through clenched teeth, struggling to stand, my voice overflowing with fury. “Now!”Arthur shot me one last look of disdain before turning and walking away slowly, leaving behind the weight of his threats.I stood there for a few moments, staring at the ground as I watched Arthur disappear into the distance. When I finally turned around, my eyes met familiar faces—people I once called friends. But not a single hand was extended to help me. I took a deep breath and got up on my own, brushing the dust off my clothes as whispers and muffled laughter surrounded me.The same people who had once promised to stand by me no matter what were now whispering and casting judgmental looks.“Lauren, I heard your father left you… quite a bit of debt,” Claire, an old college friend, remarked in a sweet voice, though the smile on he
POV: LAURENI watched that arrogant, imposing man in his impeccable suit walk away, hand in hand with the adorable boy with bright eyes. The boy, however, kept looking back, his sad expression mirroring what I felt inside.“I understand your pain,” I thought, feeling the tightness in my chest. He was so young, facing something so difficult.Suddenly, the boy let go of his hand and ran back to me, gripping the fabric of my clothes with determination.“Please, fairy, you like me, don’t you?” he asked with captivating sweetness, blinking his eyelashes innocently. “I promise I’ll behave. Stay with me!”I held his small hands, surprised and thoughtful.“Of course I like you, my brave little one,” I replied with a smile, watching relief light up his face.“Then you’ll take care of me?” he asked hopefully, bouncing with excitement as he swung my hands.“And? Will you accept?” That firm, commanding voice interrupted, drawing my attention. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, radiating the
POV: HENRYWe were having lunch at a pleasant restaurant Lucian had suggested—something more casual to meet the new nanny who might help me with Theo. According to my friend, “Someone who understands the boy better,” as Lucian had put it. “A female figure who might fill the void he feels.”I could barely focus on the food while Theodor played with the juice in front of him, clearly uninterested in everything. I was already growing frustrated with the lack of progress in our relationship.Lucian, as always, seemed relaxed, observing quietly. He finally spoke, breaking the silence.“Henry, maybe you’re looking at this the wrong way.”I sighed, dropping my utensils onto the plate harder than I intended.“And what would the right way be, Lucian? Please, enlighten me with your wisdom.”He just laughed.“Theodor needs this. You’re not failing because you require a little help with the boy. It’ll be good to have someone who understands him, who knows how to handle the pain he’s going through
POV: LAURENI was washing dishes in the back of the restaurant, the smell of food and detergent clinging to my already worn-out uniform. Kate had recommended me for the job, hoping to help me rebuild my life. There wasn’t much to learn here—clean, wash, repeat. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a way to make some money. There was no room for pride, not with debts piling up and my mother needing care.“Lauren!” The impatient voice of the manager made me look up. “Table four, now!”I sighed, wiping my hands on my apron before leaving the kitchen. I knew I shouldn’t take too long, but as I glanced at the indicated table, my stomach churned. Sitting there, with smug smiles, were Ethan and Violet.My ex-husband was as impeccable as ever, wearing a suit that probably cost more than everything I had in the bank. Violet, sitting beside him, looked like a model in a tight dress, her expression radiating superiority. My feet nearly froze on the spot, but I knew I had no choice.Swallowing hard, I
POV: LAURENWater was still dripping from my hair and clothes, leaving a wet trail behind me as I walked toward the gates of my family’s mansion. I frowned when I noticed a moving truck parked at the main entrance, with several men loading furniture, paintings, and boxes into the vehicle as if they were mere disposable items. My chest tightened as I ran toward one of the men carrying the old grandfather clock my father had cherished so much.“What’s going on here? Who authorized this?” My voice came out louder than I expected, filled with desperation.“Ma’am, please remain calm,” the man said, avoiding my gaze and quickening his pace toward the truck.Not satisfied with his vague response, I rushed to stop the next mover, grabbing his arm firmly.“These things belong to my father!” I shouted nervously. “You can’t just come into our home and take everything like this!”A man in a pristine suit and thick glasses approached slowly, holding a clipboard in his hands. Adjusting his glasses,
POV: HENRYA single second was enough for him to disappear. In the distance, I heard his screams. The sound of his panicked voice calling for me made my chest tighten and my breathing falter.“Help, Uncle Henry, please!” Theodor screamed, his voice filled with desperation. “She’s going to die!”“Theodor!” I shouted back, my heart racing. A chill ran down my spine, and sweat dripped from my forehead as I sprinted through the cemetery, ignoring everything around me. I followed his voice until I reached the lake.There he was, standing at the edge of the water, pointing frantically at something I couldn’t yet see.“You have to save her!” he cried, his voice trembling, his wide eyes brimming with tears.I hurried over, frowning as I tried to process his words.“What are you talking about, Theodor? Who?” I asked, trying to make sense of it all while gasping for air from the run.“The fairy is drowning!” he shouted, his innocence evident in the urgency of his tone.I stopped for a moment, co
POV: LAUREN“No! Don’t do that; it’s dangerous!” I shouted, running toward him as he started thrashing in the water, swallowing large gulps and sinking. “Hold on, I’m coming to save you!”Without thinking twice, I dove into the lake and swam with all my strength until I reached him. His small arms wrapped tightly around my neck, his sobs loud, his body trembling with fear.“Hey, it’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe now,” I murmured softly, trying to calm him as I held him firmly. “I’m going to get you back to dry land, alright? Just trust me.”Carefully, I swam back to the shore, keeping the boy close, feeling his desperation gradually ease. Once I reached the land, I gently laid him on the ground, making sure he was alright.“I’m scared,” he whimpered, clutching onto me even tighter, his voice trembling. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”“Oh, my sweet boy…” my eyes filled with tears, and I pulled him into a tight embrace, trying to offer him comfort. “Your parents need you to say goodby
POV: LAURENMy breathing grew heavy, my body trembling with anger and humiliation. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.“Get out of here!” I shouted through clenched teeth, struggling to stand, my voice overflowing with fury. “Now!”Arthur shot me one last look of disdain before turning and walking away slowly, leaving behind the weight of his threats.I stood there for a few moments, staring at the ground as I watched Arthur disappear into the distance. When I finally turned around, my eyes met familiar faces—people I once called friends. But not a single hand was extended to help me. I took a deep breath and got up on my own, brushing the dust off my clothes as whispers and muffled laughter surrounded me.The same people who had once promised to stand by me no matter what were now whispering and casting judgmental looks.“Lauren, I heard your father left you… quite a bit of debt,” Claire, an old college friend, remarked in a sweet voice, though the smile on he
POV: LAURENThe sun was setting on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as I stared at the coffin in front of me. My hands trembled, not just from the pain of loss, but from the guilt of not acting quickly enough. I hadn’t managed to fix the company in time. I let myself get consumed by the conflict with Ethan and took too long to save my father and his empire.His skin was pale, his lips a bluish hue. Flowers covered his body up to his neck. A tight knot formed in my chest, and the pain was overwhelming. Beside me, my mother sobbed uncontrollably, clutching the coffin and begging the man she loved to come back. But he wouldn’t. He would never again make us laugh with his nonsensical jokes, tell his stories, guide us with his wisdom, or protect us from the world.“Oh, Dad, why did you do this to us?” I murmured through tears, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I leaned closer to the coffin and placed a kiss on his cold forehead. “Rest in peace. I promise
POV: LAURENOn the other end, he let out a dry laugh filled with contempt.“What kind of question is that?” he exclaimed impatiently, his irritation evident. “I spent three years by your side, and you were never able to get pregnant. It's time to face the truth, Lauren. You’re empty, incapable of having children. Accept it and stop wasting my time. Just tell me—do you accept my terms or not?”A sob escaped my throat, his words cutting into my heart cruelly, as he always knew how to do. My eyes dropped to my stomach, my hand lightly brushing against the fabric of the hospital gown. Silent tears streamed down my face, but my mind was racing.I lifted my chin, forcing myself to think about the future and everything at stake. My family was depending on me.“If you agree to my terms and sign the divorce papers, I’ll save your father’s company today,” Ethan added coldly, ignoring my sobs entirely. “So, do you accept or not?”I took a deep breath, fighting the lump in my throat.“I accept,”