Page 72 of Love Me Not

Juliette was going to turn me down; I saw it in the way she forced a smile to her face, but Bella was faster.

“Yeah!Let’s go!”

With a laugh, I rounded my desk.“You got it, little lady.But stay close, okay?”

She nodded and did one thing I’d never expected.

She grabbed my hand, letting me pull her out of my office.My heart clenched in my chest, and my gaze cut to Juliette, who was watching us with the sweetest smile I’d ever seen.

I took my time on the tour.

Work could wait.

Chapter20

Juliette

The days flew by.

It was hard to not get lost in Lux.Especially when it felt a bit like we were playing house.We had breakfast and dinner together every single day, with both of us spending time with Bella whenever possible.And the girl had really come out of her shell since I started as her nanny.

Sometimes school was still a bit rough, but more often than not, all it took was a good paint session, sometimes a cry, to make it better.Since that one time, she’d never had a breakdown again.

It felt like she was actually healing.Even though I knew grief was not linear.

Or predictable.

So I knew something was coming.I could feel it like a breath on the back of my neck, like having someone’s eyes on me and not being able to place them.

I didn’t fear for my life, but there was a storm on the horizon.

And one day, when I came home with Bella after a not-so-great day, I found it as a neatly dolled-up package sitting on our couch.

She was dressed in a shimmery tweed ensemble with her black hair done in perfect curls.Her delicately plucked brows framed a face full of makeup, and she was holding a bag that I knew cost more than my life’s savings—including the club money.

“Oh, you must be the nanny,” she said, her chin jutting out.“Go make yourself busy while I talk to my granddaughter.”

Her obvious dismissal rubbed me the wrong way.I had been in more than my fair share of situations like this, but this time something told me I had to protect Bella.There was a feeling of unease in my chest that wouldn't leave me, and it was telling me not to leave a young child with her.

She was clearly Lux’s mom, but my instincts told me there was more to this person than the older lady with class and poise she was pretending to be.Bella confirmed my feelings by gripping my side.

“I’ll stay here,” I replied and grabbed my phone, quickly typing an SOS to Lux.

Me

Your mom was in the house waiting for us.I’m not leaving Bella alone with her.Help?

The woman let out a scoff and rolled her eyes at me.

“Who do you think you are?”she asked.“I’m not asking; I’m telling you to leave and give me time alone with her.”

Sometimes being a nanny meant having to deal with people who thought they were superior just because they were paying me for a service.They didn't even stop to think that theservicewas quite literally one of the most important in the world.

No, they just saw me as someone they could walk all over.

Not today, sister.

“Juliette…” Bella whispered, stepping closer to me.

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