The Billionaire’s Nanny

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

“Snakeee!”

Amelia jumped to her feet, her heart slamming against her ribs.

Something slim and dark slid across the blanket.

She fell backward with a heavy gasp, shuffling as far away from the bed as possible.

Then laughter burst through the room.

Bright, innocent laughter.

Lily stood by the doorway, clutching a small remote control in both hands

A black toy lizard dashed across the bed again, its tiny legs made a buzzing sound against the sheets.

Amelia approached with caution, squinting her eyes

“…It’s a toy?”

Lily nodded proudly. “It looks real, doesn’t it?”

Amelia pressed her hand to her chest and exhaled.

“For a second there, I thought I was about to die.”

Lily giggled harder.

“You should’ve seen your face!”

Amelia reached over and managed to grab the little lizard while it was still moving.

It wriggled a little in her hand before Lily pressed another button, making it go totally limp.

“I officially dislike this thing.”

“His name is Lizzy, and you love it.”

“I absolutely do not love Lizzy.”

“You smiled.”

“I smiled because I’m relieved it’s fake.”

Lily grinned, clearly pleased with her successful prank.

“I'm going to get you for this.” Amelia laughed and sat down by the edge of the bed. She patted the empty space beside her.

“Come here.”

Lily climbed the bed without hesitation, swinging her tiny legs off the free edge.

“So…”

“What’s your name?”

Amelia smiled. “Amelia.”

Lily repeated it slowly. “A-M-E-L-I-A.”

Then she frowned. “Just Amelia?”

Amelia chuckled. “Actually…It’s Amelia Bernadette Reinhardt.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “You have two names?”

“Three, technically.”

Lily wriggled her nose. “That’s too many.”

Amelia laughed. “I didn’t choose them.”

“Well I used to have two names.” Lily announced, sticking her nose proudly to the air.

Feigning surprise, Amelia clasped her hands over her mouth.

“You did?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“But mommy said one is enough.”

Amelia’s smile paused instantly .

She cleared her throat, managing to keep her tone light.

“So… where are your parents?”

Lily answered immediately. “Mommy says I’m not supposed to talk about my family.”

The words came out so casually.

Like she’d practiced and repeated them countless times before.

Then, just as quickly, her face brightened up again.

“Oh!”

“What is it?”

“Breakfast!”

She hopped off the bed.

“Come on! We’ll be late!”

Before Amelia could say anything, Lily rushed out the door, her laughter trailing down the hallway.

Amelia remained seated. She stared at the spot on the bed where Lily had sat.

Ridiculous.

There were thousands of little girls with bouncy curls, blue eyes, and dimples.

She was probably just exhausted.

That photograph had simply gotten into her head.

She took a deep breath, pushed the thought aside and followed Lily.

Downstairs, Amelia felt like she had just walked into food heaven.

There were fresh pastries.

Silver trays filled with breakfast dishes

The rich scent of fresh coffee mixed with warm bread and butter.

She had never seen anything like it

Her stomach growled.

The smell grew even stronger further inside.

As if in a trance, Amelia followed it straight to the kitchen.

The manor had come to life.

Staff moved hurriedly from one room to another, each person focused on their task.

Hardly anyone spoke.

The only sounds were the quiet clink of plates and cutlery being arranged, as well as the rhythm-like movement of footsteps.

Everything was done with a precision that was almost unsettling.

Amelia suddenly became very aware of how new she was.

Inside the kitchen, Mrs. Potts stood giving instructions to one of the cooks.

“And make sure to cut off the crusts. Lily doesn’t like them.”

The cook nodded and dashed off.

Mrs. Potts’ eyes then lifted and landed on Amelia.

She scowled instantly.

Amelia hesitated.

Forcing a polite smile, she walked over. “Good morning… Mrs. Potts.”

Mrs. Potts looked her over for only a second . “You’re late.”

The words hit Amelia like a ton of bricks.

“I’m sorry,” she begged immediately. “I…”

Mrs. Potts raised a hand. “Tardiness is completely unacceptable in Sebastian Manor.”.

“But I’ll overlook it because today is your first day.”

Amelia shoulders relaxed. “It won’t happen again, ma’am.”

Mrs. Potts gave her one more look, then she turned toward the counter, picked up a white tea cup resting on its matching saucer, and placed it in Amelia’s hands.

Her face had retuned to normal… normal for Mrs Potts at least

“Lily’s milk.” She stated. “It’s room temperature.”

“She won’t drink it any other way.”

Amelia nodded quickly. “I understand.”

Mrs. Potts gestured towards the door. “Go on then.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She held the cup carefully, and headed into the dining room.

Lily was already by the dining table, struggling to climb onto her chair.

One of the staff quickly approached and pulled it out for her.

“Thank you.” Lily said with a smile as she climbed up.

The man dipped his head in acknowledgement before stepping away.

Amelia smiled to herself

At least someone talked in this house.

Just as she got to the table, the front doors opened.

Several members of staff immediately adjusted themselves.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Welcome back, sir.”

Lily’s face lit up. “Daddy!”

She jumped off her chair and ran.

A tall man walked through the door.

He bent immediately, catching Lily as she threw herself into his arms.

“There’s my girl.” He laughed softly, kissing the top of her head before giving her tummy a tickle

The sound of his voice froze Amelia where she stood.

Slowly, the man looked up, and their eyes met.

Everything inside her stopped.

Impossible…

Her eyes were definitely playing tricks on her

But she couldn’t dispute it.

He looked older.

His shoulders broader than she remembered.

A faint stubble now shadowed his jaw.

But it was him.

There was no mistake about it.

“You’re the new nanny?” He asked, his demeanor calm and polite.

Amelia forced herself to breathe.

“…Yes.”

She took a step back and felt something roll beneath her foot.

The toy lizard.

Her balance disappeared.

The saucer slipped from her hands.

Crash.

Ceramic shards shattered all over the floor.

Milk splashed across the front of her dress.

“Careful.” The man was beside her almost instantly, his large hands held her before she could hit the floor.

“Are you alright?”

He gently lifted her wrist to his face, inspecting it meticulously without thinking.

As he helped her upright, the sleeve of his shirt shifted just enough to reveal dark ink by the side of his wrist.

An infinity symbol.

Amelia’s breath caught.

“I’m fine.” The words came out in a rush.

She pulled herself free almost immediately. “I’ll… go clean up.”

Without waiting for a reply, she ran out of the dining room.

By the time Amelia got to her room, she could barely feel her legs.

Her thoughts kept crashing into each other..

She had to be imagining it.

It had to be some kind of wicked joke.

But she couldn’t deny what her eyes had seen.

She had seen him.

He had looked straight at her.

And yet he hadn’t recognized her.

The thought hurt more than she could have ever expected.

She pushed the door closed and leaned heavily against it.

Her chest rose and fell with every short, shaky breath..

The entire room was spinning.

Desperately, she dug her fingers beneath the neck of her dress, and took out a small silver locket.

The one she had worn every single day for the past 5 years.

She opened it with trembling hands.

Inside was a tiny photograph.

A younger man.

A younger Amelia.

And between them, a little girl with the same familiar curls and blue eyes.

Lily.

Amelia’s grip tightened.

Then a memory came.

A dining table.

Tiny hands.

Warm laughter.

A knock.

Once.

Twice.

The door opening.

A gun.