Page 54 of The Rejected Wife

“You’re taking care of my daughter. I want to ensure you don’t have to worry about paying your bills, so you can focus on her completely.”

I slide my phone to her across the desk. "Key in the details of your bank account, please, so I can transfer the money for your first month of employment."

She hesitates. “That figure you quoted is too much. Not that I don’t appreciate it. Childcare professionals are undervalued for what they do. Still”—she purses her lips—“it feels like an inflated amount.”

“Your role is second only to mine in her life. As her nanny, you’ll not only take care of her, but you’ll be responsible for her mental and emotional well-being, something I know you’ll be great at.”

She swallows, seemingly moved by my words. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”

I cut the air with my hand. “Only saying the truth. I saw you with her today. It’s the first time she’s allowed anyone else, other than me, to bathe her.”

“Oh?” She seems taken aback.

“Not any of her previous nannies, and not even my friends’ wives. You are the only other person she’s allowed close enough for that. So yeah, I know you’re the right person for the job.”

“Oh!” She fans herself. “You’re making me emotional.”

Her eyes glitter. Seeing the tears in her eyes is a special kind of hell. Perhaps, becoming a father has made me more sensitive to other’s feelings. But even if it were not for that, I wouldn't be able to bear causing her any more distress. I already upset her deeply when I asked her to leave my penthouse that day.

But I was too distracted with Serene’s arrival to notice the impact my words had on Priscilla. Perhaps my reasons were justified. I did have to focus on my daughter.But could I have found a way to have both in my life…?

I push aside my misgivings. My time with the Marines has taught me to live in the present. She’s here under my roof now, and I’m going to find every way possible to keep her in my life.

She refers to her phone, fills out the details on mine, then slides the device back to me. I transfer the money to her immediately. Some of the tension rolls off my shoulders. That’s a done deal. She can’t back out now.

Her phone pings with a notification. She glances at it, then directs a glance at me. “You paid me already?”

“You’ve been out of a job for a few months, I assume?”

She nods, a strange look on her features.

“You must have bills to pay. This should help.”

I could have paid her a lot more, but then, she’d likely pay off her bills too quickly. And that’d mean she wouldn’t need to be Serene’s nanny anymore. And yes, this makes me a calculating bastard—guess I’m not completely reformed—but with this figure I’m paying her, she’ll be able to pay off debts,andsave,andhave enough to not have to compromise her lifestyle.

She hesitates, then jerks her chin. “Thank you.”

“It’s me who should be thanking you for reconsidering the role. You have no idea how grateful I am.”

Our gazes meet and hold. Like clockwork, that ever-present chemistry between us flares. My balls harden. Goddamn, how am I going to get through keeping up this professional façade? Especially since, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was grateful she accepted the role of Serene’s nanny. It’s going to make a huge difference to both Serene’s life and mine. I don’t want to do anything that’s going to upset Priscilla or scare her off. Not until she’s had a chance to get to know me better. Not until she realizes I’ve changed. I’ve gone from being the person who couldn’t even refer to my daughter as a child when she first arrived, to my world revolving around a smile from her.

"My lawyer will be in touch with a Non-Disclosure Agreement and your employment contract.”

She laughs. “You paid me already, before asking me to sign the agreement.”

“I already told you, I trust you.”

She swallows, and her eyes widen. She seems both taken aback but also happy that I said that. “Thank you for saying that.”

Once again, the air between us grows heavy, charged with everything we’ve said and everything we haven’t. My heart pounds, loud and insistent, echoing in my ears. I drink her in, every inch of her, awash in the quiet miracle that she’s here. That from this moment on, I get to see her every day. And maybe—if I’m lucky, if I find a way—for the rest of my life.

Color smears her cheeks. She makes a small sound at the back of her throat. One which tightens my belly. It makes me realize how much I want this woman. How I’d do anything to have her back in my life.Get it together. Don’t screw it up before she’s even started the job. Show her the respect she deserves.

I rise to my feet, indicating the meeting is over.

She interprets my move and, turning, walks out of the study and toward the kitchen. I follow her. She picks up her purse from the breakfast counter and turns to me. "Thanks again for this opportunity. You won’t regret it."

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