's

onths

se urged, her voice cuttin

k, gripping the sides of the b

ftly, her hand holding mine tight

d, tears streaming down my

, her voice gentle. "You're stro

ound of a baby's cry filled the room. My heart clenched

" she said w

. He was so small, so fragile. His eyes were c

whispered, leaning ove

betrayal, Alexander's absence, the chaos of the past mon

me Alexander for the position I was in-it wasn't like eit

idn't wait lo

ngs, diaper changes, and trying to keep my sanity intact. Mom and Dad we

I rocked the baby in my arms. "We'll help where we can,

g at the sleeping face of my son

ould, but I couldn't rely on them forever. Bills piled up, and my savings dw

e me. "Have you thought about what you're go

something," I s

faster," she shot back

wrong. My savings had dwindled to a

some income to Carter

ing out applications on my laptop that Rachel my best frie

asked, pointing to an ad

l-time? Ivy, how are you going

en immediately regretted it. "Sorry, Mom. I

, Ivy. Just don't bur

won

h meant I should be living with them with my baby, Micheal . The house belonged to someo

bag for the day. "So, are you ready

I'm not mingling, E

on't let them boss y

y its size. The sprawling estate screamed wealth, and I felt out of place ev

Ivy. It's just a

steel that seemed to pierce the clouds. I shifted uncomfortably,

tered under my breath. "I c

thank me later. Trust me, Iv

breath away. Polished floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, an

structed, walking of

took in my surroundings. The weight of uncertaint

ply dressed man following behind him. My b

tone casual, "meet M

onto mine, his expression unreadable. I froze

housekeeper I was telling you about," Liam continued

to my son before returning to me.