AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hi,” she said with a half-smile.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Ramsey said and gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head. “Be good in school and try to learn something new.”
“I will,” Lily said.
Ramsey grabbed his briefcase, shot me a look, and then walked out. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. I knew it had to be killing Lily. I assumed that was why she looked a little bummed. I needed to talk with her. I didn’t want her to think any of this was her fault. I wanted to shield her as much as I could.
“Hey, do you want to stop at Starbucks and get a treat this morning?” I asked her. “We have time.”
She wasn’t nearly as excited as I hoped, but I couldn’t blame her. I wasn’t exactly all that enthusiastic myself. “Okay.”
I took care of her cereal bowl while she went to get her backpack. We walked to the garage and climbed into the Mercedes. It was nice to drive a car with an actual heater. People sold cars as beaters with heaters. My car was just a beater with a little bit of a heater.
We went inside the Starbucks. I ordered a latte with Lily getting a raspberry steamer.
“Dee, can I ask you something?” she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of earnestness and vulnerability.
I nodded, a tender smile playing on my lips. “Of course, Lily. You can ask me anything.”
She took a deep breath, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. “I really like you, Dee,” she began, her voice quivering with excitement. “And I know my dad likes you too. Can you two be together?”
My heart tightened at her words, her innocence tugging at my emotions. I knew how much Lily cared for her dad and how much she craved a loving family unit. But there were complexities at play that went beyond her understanding.
“Lily, sweetheart,” I started gently, my voice laced with empathy. “Your dad and I care about each other, and we care about you too. But sometimes, things don’t work out the way we want them to.”
Her eyes widened with a mixture of confusion and disappointment. “But why, Dee? You make my dad happy, and you make me happy, too.”
I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I appreciate your kind words, Lily,” I replied, my voice filled with sincerity. “But sometimes, people need different things in life, and it’s important that we respect that. Your dad and I have different paths to walk right now.”
Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes, her lower lip quivering. “I don’t want you to leave,” she whispered, her voice filled with vulnerability.
My heart ached at the sight of her pain. I wanted to shield her from the complexities of adult relationships, but I also wanted to be honest with her. “Lily, I care about you deeply,” I assured her, my voice tender and compassionate. “Even if your dad and I aren’t together as a couple, I will always be here for you. Our bond doesn’t have to change just because our relationship status does. I’m still your nanny. If, by some chance I’m not your nanny, you can still call me anytime you want, day or night, I’ll be there.”
She sniffled, wiping away a tear with the back of her hand. “I don’t understand,” she murmured.
I leaned in closer, enveloping her in a warm embrace. “Sometimes, life doesn’t go as we planned,” I whispered, my voice filled with empathy. “But what matters is that we take care of each other. Your dad and I both want what’s best for you, and we’ll always be there to care for you.”
Lily clung to me, her small frame trembling. In that moment, I realized the depth of her attachment and the weight of her emotions. It was my responsibility to provide comfort and reassurance, even if I couldn’t fulfill her wish for a reunited family. She deserved a solid family unit. I wished I could give it to her, but it just wasn’t in the cards. I would talk to Ramsey, though. I was resolved to at least make it so we could tolerate each other.
“We’ll make new memories together, Lily,” I whispered, my voice steady and soothing.
As I held Lily in my arms, I vowed to be a steady presence in her life, offering love and support no matter the circumstances. Our connection was a precious one, and I would do everything in my power to ensure that she felt secure and cherished, even if the path ahead was uncertain. Ramsey and I had to be the adults we were.
I would use Lily’s happiness to get him to sit down and talk. I knew he only wanted the best for her. We should be able to get through this. If I had to eat a little crow and apologize for deceiving him, I would do it. I knew I was the best person to take care of Lily. I would swallow my pride and ask him to let me stay on. Hell, I would even take a pay cut. My only concern was her wellbeing.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Ramsey
Isat at the head of the conference table, my eyes fixed on the faces of the clients before me. We were in the midst of a crucial business meeting, discussing the details of a significant deal. The room hummed with focused energy, every word and gesture carrying weight. Cam and Izzy were there to explain the little details about the tech that I really couldn’t do justice for.
My phone had been vibrating in my pocket for the last fifteen minutes. I kept shutting it off, but it kept vibrating. The meeting was important. Everything else could wait. This was the deal we needed to score a major win. We weren’t the only company trying to land the deal. The person blowing up my phone was on the verge of blowing up my deal.
Just as I was about to make a crucial point, my assistant barged into the room, her expression a mix of urgency and concern. She whispered something inaudible, her eyes darting between me and the clients. Irritation crept into my voice as I interrupted the flow of conversation.
“What is it now?” I snapped, my frustration seeping through my words. “I said I needed you to hold my calls.”
My assistant hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a hushed tone. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, sir, but there’s an emergency.”
