His Nanny, His Unplanned Love

Chapter 3

POV: Naomi

I was standing by the seashore, with no shoes on, on the warm sand.

I was wearing a flowing white gown, light as air, that brushed my ankles as the breeze blew around me. The wind was gentle, playful, blowing my hair and letting it fall back down again. My hair was red—ginger, my natural color, untouched, just the way it used to be.

For the first time in a long time, I had peace.

Then I heard it.

Soft footsteps behind me.

Light and quick.

Then a child’s laughter—bright and carefree, like bells ringing in the distance behind me.

I felt my heart begin to pound.

“Mommy!”

The voice was small, sweet, and full of so much joy and energy.

I turned around.

A little girl was running toward me, her ginger hair flying wildly around her, her emerald green eyes shining like jewels under the sun. She was smiling so widely it almost hurt my chest to look at her.

She was so beautiful.

And she was mine.

I opened my arms, my lips shaking as I whispered, “My baby…”

But as she got closer, her face changed.

The smile stayed the same, the laughter also stayed the same—but the child in front of me was no longer the stranger from my dreams.

“Sophie…” I whispered in shock.

She laughed, her eyes glowing up even more. “Mom! Let's play!”

She held my hand and pulled me towards herself, and without thinking, I followed her. I always followed her.

I bent down to lift her into my arms—

And suddenly, everything around us began to blur.

The sky was turning dark.

The cool wind had stopped.

The warmth suddenly disappeared.

I looked down.

The ground beneath my feet had began to crack.

My smile disappeared.

The earth broke open between us, the sound loud and terrifying, like something breaking inside my chest. I tightened my hold on her hand, fear taking over me.

“Mommy,” her voice whispered, softer now, scared. “Don’t leave me…”

“No,” I cried, trying to pull her closer. “Don’t leave me, baby.”

I ran.

But no matter how fast I moved, the crack kept widening, pushing us farther and farther, tearing us apart.

“Sophie!” I screamed. “Please—don’t leave me!”

I reached out—

And missed.

I gasped and shot up in my bed.

My chest rose and fell as I struggled to breathe. My pillow was soaked with my sweat, my hair was stuck and clinging to my face. My hands shook as I wiped my cheeks, unsure if the wetness was only sweat or if there were tears also.

It was the dream again.

I lay back slowly, looking at the ceiling, my heart still beating fast.

For four years, I had this dream.

And every single time, my daughter grew older. But this time the dream had changed.

This time… this time was different.

I had never seen her face before.

Not until now.

She looked exactly like Sophie.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

It was just my mind playing tricks on me. It had to be.

I was seeing her face because I had spent time with Sophie days ago. Of course my brain would twist things like this.

But still yet… I felt the ache in my chest.

Four years ago, when I had gone into labour, I had passed out.

And by the time I woke up, my husband told me the news.

He had sold our child.

The f*****g bastard had sold my baby out.

I pressed a hand to my chest and whispered into the quiet room with my eyes still closed, “I know you’re still alive and I'll find you.”

My voice broke as I whispered the words.

“I’ll find you, my baby. No matter how long it takes.”

No matter what he said… a mother always knows.

I turned and looked at the time and sighed.

I knew I wouldn't be going back to sleep again.

So I forced myself out of bed and headed straight for the shower.

As the warm water poured on my tensed body, my thoughts went back to my last conversation with the broker. He had looked at me like he held my entire world in his hands with that creepy smile on his face.

“I found a name,” he had said. “And a place.”

She had never felt so much hope befor—but his next words crushed it almost immediately.

“But it comes at a price.”

And the price he had called was so high I almost fell off my chair when he named it.

That was why I had taken this bartending job.

The night shift paid more, but since it was my first week, they put me on the day shift to learn the ropes.

I dressed quickly and left the house, my body tired but my mind was already in overdrive.

The bar smelled of alcohol and old wood and I hated it. Music blasted from the speakers, loud enough to vibrate through my bones and cause a migraine. The colored lights flashed everywhere, making my head ache.

I tied my apron and forced a sweet smile.

I carried drinks from table to table, wiped counters, as I tried really hard to ignore the noise.

The bar wasn’t full, but it wasn’t empty either. I was already exhausted, and I hadn’t even been there for so long.

I was wiping the counter when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I frowned as I pulled it out.

It was an unknown number.

I stared at it for a second before answering. “Hello?”

There was a pause from the other side.

Then a small voice said softly, “Naomi.”

My heart stopped.

It couldn't be.

“Sophie?” I whispered. “Is that you?”

“Yes!” she said happily.

I smiled without realizing it. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been okay,” she replied, her voice dropping a little. “It’s my birthday today.”

My chest warmed. “Awwn….Really? Happy birthday, Ginger. What are you doing to celebrate?”

“Nothing,” she said quietly. “I’m just home alone. And I don’t feel well too.”

Concern instantly rushed through me. “What’s wrong?”

“My stomach hurts. And my head too.”

“Have you told your dad?” I asked. “Where is he?”

“He’s in a meeting. He won’t be back till after five.”

I closed my eyes, a curse leaving my mouth before I could stop it. “That irresponsible man…”

“What was that?” Sophie asked.

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “Does your stomach still hurt?”

“Yes,” she said. “Will you come celebrate my birthday with me?”

I didn't answer immediately.

His warning from the park came flooding my mind.

‘Don’t try to get close to me through my daughter.’

But how could I say no to that voice?

I sighed. “Okay, Ginger. What’s your address?”

She told me eagerly.

I removed my apron, informed the manager I would be leaving early while ignoring his angry glare, and walked out of the bar and got into a cab.

Forty five minutes later, the cab stopped in front of a massive mansion.

When I saw the mansion in front of me, my mouth fell open.

I stood there, just looking until I heard, “You came!”

Sophie stood at the door, smiling brightly.

I smiled. “You know I can’t say no to you.”

But as soon as I stepped inside, I froze again.

The house was huge, yes—but the decorations—don't even get me started. Everything was bright.

It looked like the house had surrendered to a pink and purple coup.

There were balloons hanging everywhere. Fringed banners with faux jewels hung from the wall and the floor was covered in what looked like a crystal palace of blankets.

Unicorns. Barbie dolls. Teddy's.

Yep, they were all scattered everywhere on the floor.

Every damn Conner of the house sparkled with glitters.

Damn, the man really loved his daughter since he was willing to let her decorate the house.

But what's all these decorations for if he couldn't even stay by his baby's side?

“How are you feeling now, Ginger?” I asked, finally looking away from the chaotic situation in front of me.

Sophie looked down, and then began kicking an imaginary stone on the floor.

“Sophie?”

“Sorry, I lied about not being well.” She muttered. “I was just so lonely and I wanted to see you today because it's my birthday.”

I just stood there watching the child.

God, she was cute.

Finally, I crouched down so I was face to face with her. I tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear.

“You know, it's a bad thing to lie right? It worries the people around you who care for you.”

“I know, and I'm sorry.” She replied.

“Next time, just ask, okay? There's no need to lie, okay.”

She'll look up with a small smile on her face, “so, you're not angry at me?”

I smiled back at her, “Never, Ginger.”

I watched as the smile on her face widened and then she grabbed my hand and pulled me hard, I got to my feet and followed her.

She pulled me into the sitting room.

“That’s my mommy,” she said, pointing to a framed photo.

A red haired woman with green eyes stared back at me.

So that's who she took after. She was the spitting image of her mother.

“She died,” Sophie said softly. “Grandma says it’s my fault. That Daddy doesn’t like me because of it. She says if I’m not good, he’ll leave me too.”

My heart shattered at the child's pain.

I knelt and held her face gently. “No,” I said firmly. “That’s not true. No parent could ever hate their child and leave them behind.”

Her eyes widened.

“Tell you what, why don't you talk to your daddy,” I said softly. “Tell him how you feel.”

She nodded slowly.

“Do you really think he'll listen to me?” she asked.

I couldn't crush her hope, so I answered as positively as I could.

“I know he will.”

I looked up at the clock and stood. “I need to go.”

“Already?” she cried, hugging my leg tightly.

“You know we can't have your dad seeing me here.” I said.

She let go of my leg slowly while nodding her head.

I turned toward the door—

And at that moment it opened.

He walked in.

His blue eyes locked on mine, and I knew the minute he became angry.

So I raised my hand, trying to calm him down.

“I can explain,” I said quickly. “She called me over because she wasn't feeling well. I came to make sure she was fine and I was just leaving.”

His eyes moved past me.

To Sophie.

And the anger instantly dissolved—replaced by raw concern.

And at that moment I knew just how deeply he cared for his daughter.

His only problem was that he didn't just know how to show it.