Page 45 of The Rejected Wife

Priscilla

You are the author of your own reinvention.

-Cilla’s Post-it note

It’s been three months since I threw his offer in his face and walked out. The nerve. Sure, he apologized for not being open with me about why he’d asked me to leave his penthouse the day Serene arrived. But he didn’t offer any further explanation. Damn him. What I want is for him to tell me the real reason he asked me to leave that day. My guess is, events overtook him, and he couldn’t fathom making time for a relationship when he’d just found out he was a father, but I want to hear it from him. I want him to tell me how much he missed me. I want him to say he’s ready for a relationship with me.

He claimed to feel the connection between us. But then, he seemed to translate that into playing the knight in shining armor and offering me a job as Serene’s nanny because I was on the verge of losing mine.

Of course, I'd love to be around Serene, but I want to be in his life as more than a caregiver to his daughter. That jerkface missed that completely.

Only, his offering me a job turned out to be prophetic because, since that run-in with Tyler, Ihavelost mine.

I found another, but the mother of the child turned out to be a helicopter parent, which drove me crazy. Nothing I did was right, according to her, so I had to quit that one. The next one, which, to be fair, I found right away, ended with the father of the child grabbing my arse. When I complained to the mother, she fired me. Refused to give me a good reference. Luckily, I had enough references to find a third position.

Only this time, it was with a single mom who got laid off within a week of my starting with her as her son’s nanny. She came home, burst into tears, and I had to calm her down. She barely managed to pull herself together, and I spent the evening playing nursemaid to her, as well as taking care of her kid. After which, she told me she wouldn’t be able to continue paying me. I was gutted. And frankly, the enthusiasm to find another daycare position, or one as a nanny, is waning.

I pull out my phone and stare at the screen as I have done so many times since.You could call Tyler and tell him you’ll accept the position as Serene’s nanny…

No. Absolutely not. I turned him down—and it felt good to do so. I wasrightto do so. He took me for granted. Again. And I’m not going to swallow my pride and call him. Nope.

I jump up and begin to pace the floor of my living room. I’ve paid the rent for the week. I have two more days to go. There isn’t enough money to cover the rent for the next one. I’ve been living off my savings, but I haven't compromised on my lifestyle, such as it is. I was confident I’d find another role. But, in this economy, even parents are feeling the pinch, so there aren’t as many childcare jobs out there—and even if there were, who’s to say the parents wouldn’t turn out to be creeps?

Tyler said he wouldn’t trust Serene with a stranger. And I’m finding I don’t want to work for a stranger, either. I squeeze the bridge of my nose.So, call him and accept the job.

Aargh, I really don't want to do that. Of course, I could call Tor and ask him for a loan. And my brother would give it to me. He was so understanding when I broke off my so-called engagement with Knox. Then, he told me he was taken aback—grateful but taken aback—when I considered it, in the first place. He could have told me so earlier and saved me the ignominy of that charade. But then again, I went into it with my eyes wide open.

And if I hadn't, Tyler might not have been so open when we met. Again though, it would've been nice if he’d sought me out earlier. To think the meeting at The Fearless Kitten was a coincidence. Just like how we met on the tube. Is our relationship destined to be a series of chance encounters?

I blow out a breath. I’m feeling a little dizzy with all these thoughts racing through my head. I walk into the kitchen and put on the kettle. Maybe a cup of herbal tea will help? I pull open the cabinet door and realize I’m out of tea bags. And I’d have to buy more using my credit card, which I’ve begun to max out over the last week. Ugh. I rub at my temple. It’s crunch time, all right. I need to make a decision.

My phone pings. I look at the message and smile. It’s from Aura. Or rather, Princess Aurelia Verenza. We went to the same school. The kind that rich kids go to. I was one of them at the time, after all. She got in touch to let me know she was marrying Ryot Davenport, Tyler’s older brother. She’d heard through the grapevine about my short-lived engagement to Knox and decided to reconnect with me. We’ve kept in touch since.

It should be weird that Tyler and I have so many people in common. But considering our families move in the same circles in London, maybe not. I may have tried to leave my roots behind, but I’m beginning to realize the futility of it. One can never outrun one’s past completely, I suppose. And m-a-y-b-e, one has to embrace it to move forward?

Aura: Hey you, how are you doing?

Me: All good.

Aura: Don’t mind my asking this, but I wondered if you're still looking for a job.

I perk up. I met Aura, along with Zoey and some other friends, a few weeks ago. I remember getting a little tipsy on white wine and regaling them with my string of recent bad luck when it came to finding nannying roles. I don’t remember the details, but whatever I said must have been hilarious; we laughed all evening. It certainly lightened my mood. Except for the hangover and the looming deadline of finding a job the next day.

Me: I am, actually. Why? Do you have a lead?

Aura: Feel free to ignore this, but I heard Tyler’s still looking for a nanny. The man’s at his wit's end. And of course, I thought of you.

Huh?

I lean against the counter and stare at the message. What are the odds, eh? Like I said, these bloody coincidences with Tyler and me are uncanny.

Aura: I’m aware there’s some history between the two of you (the Davenports’ family grapevine can be quite full on) so I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position or anything. Feel free to turn it down. But it came up in conversation with Tyler today, so I thought you should know.

I read and re-read the message. Whoa. Tyler still hasn’t found a nanny? He looked like he was drowning under the weight of parenthood when I ran into him at The Fearless Kitten.

He needs childcare help, like yesterday. And I need a new position. Likestat.It’sonlya job. I don’t have to marry the guy. Ha! As if I wouldn't love that. And I can keep it professional. I mean, I can certainly try. But this is a sign, isn’t it? Aura messaging me like this, out of the blue? And I’m sure I can charge a lot. The man can afford it. And I can be back on my feet in no time.

I only have to work for him temporarily. A month or two, to tide me over, and then I can leave. I wouldn’t be a professional if I didn’t consider all of my options, right?

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