Chapter 2
Victor moved so fast Serena stepped back.
He took Ethan from my arms, but gently.
So gently my throat closed.
Ethan clung to his father’s jacket and sobbed against his chest.
Victor looked at me.
“Can you stand?”
I tried.
Pain burned through my ribs.
Victor’s jaw tightened.
“Did she kick you?”
Serena gasped.
“Victor, don’t be ridiculous.”
He did not look at her.
“Lily.”
“Yes,” I whispered.
Serena threw her hands up.
“She was hysterical. She snatched him from me. I barely touched her.”
Victor turned to her.
“My son is shaking.”
“He’s tired.”
“He said your name like he was afraid.”
Her smile hardened.
“Children repeat what servants teach them.”
I pushed myself up against the crib.
“I never taught him to fear you.”
“No, you just taught him to perform.”
Victor’s eyes moved between us.
I knew that look.
He was trying to be fair.
Men like Victor always thought fairness meant listening to the calm liar and the shaking victim equally.
So I forced myself to speak clearly.
“Check the nanny camera.”
Serena’s face flickered.
Just once.
Victor caught it.
“What camera?”
My stomach dropped.
He did not know.
I pointed toward the teddy bear on the shelf.
“Your mother installed it before she passed away. Mrs. Hale told me she wanted someone watching Ethan when she couldn’t.”
Victor stared at the bear.
“My mother died before Ethan was born.”
I went cold.
“No. The housekeeper told me your mother bought it.”
Serena smiled then.
Slow and satisfied.
“There is no camera.”
Victor walked to the shelf and picked up the bear.
He turned it over.
The battery slot was empty.
Serena folded her arms.
“See?”
My pulse pounded.
She had found it.
She had removed it.
She had known I might use it.
Victor looked at me, and for one terrible second, doubt entered his face.
I hated that second.
Serena stepped closer to him.
“Baby, she is obsessed with Ethan. I told you she was too attached.”
“I am his nanny,” I said.
“You act like his mother.”
Victor flinched.
Serena saw it and pushed harder.
“Isn’t it strange how he runs to her instead of me?”
“He runs to me because I comfort him.”
“He runs to you because you turn him against everyone else.”
Ethan cried again.
Victor kissed his hair.
“Enough.”
He carried Ethan toward the hallway.
“Lily, go to the guest suite and wait there. I’m calling Dr. Mercer to check both of you.”
Serena grabbed his arm.
“You’re calling a doctor because the nanny fell?”
Victor looked at her hand until she let go.
“I’m calling a doctor because my son is terrified.”
I walked slowly, holding my side.
At the doorway, Ethan reached back toward me.
“Wiwy.”
Victor stopped.
My heart cracked.
“I’m right here, buddy.”
Serena whispered, “This is exactly what I mean.”
Victor said nothing.
But as I passed the hallway mirror, I saw Serena’s reflection.
She was smiling at me.
May you like
Not because she had won.
Because she had another plan.
