THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET NANNY

Chapter 8: The Jealous Ex

I did not sleep that night.

After Damian said we would tell Lily the truth together, my brain would not shut off. What do you say to a five year old. Hi baby remember your nanny Well she is actually your mom. And your dad is the richest man in New York.

It sounded insane.

At 6am I was still awake when my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Unknown number.

We need to talk. Today. 2pm. The Sterling Cafe. Come alone. - V

V.

Vanessa.

My stomach turned.

I deleted the text and tried to breathe. Damian said he would handle it. But handling it and me sitting across from Vanessa Whitmore were two different things.

I got up and checked on Lily. She was asleep with her stuffed bunny. Her breathing was soft and even. She looked peaceful.

I could not let Vanessa take that from her.

At 8am there was a knock on my door.

It was Damian.

He looked like he had not slept either. Same black pants from last night with a white dress shirt and no tie. Hair messy. Jaw tight. Dark circles under his eyes.

Morning he said.

Morning I said and stepped aside to let him in.

He closed the door behind him.

I got the photo too he said without any hello. Vanessa sent it to my board members this morning.

The floor fell out from under me.

What

She is trying to start something Damian said. She wants me to think you are a gold digger. That you planned this. That you targeted me.

Did you believe her I asked quietly. My voice was small.

Damian looked at me. Really looked at me. No.

The relief made me dizzy. I had to grab the doorframe.

But I need to know everything Elena he said. No more secrets. Not now. Not ever again.

So I told him.

Everything.

How I was 22 and working as a waitress at the Boston charity gala. How he was there for one speech and one dance. How he was kind to me when everyone else treated me like furniture. How one night turned into morning and then I left because I was nobody and he was Damian Sterling.

How I found out I was pregnant two months later. How I was scared. How I moved to Chicago and worked three jobs. How I raised Lily alone for four years.

How I saw the job posting for Sterling Nanny and applied because it paid enough to give her a good life and health insurance and I thought I could hide in plain sight. I thought I could be close to her and still stay away from him.

When I finished I was crying.

I am so sorry I whispered. I should have told you.

Damian was quiet for a long time.

Thank you for telling me he said finally.

That is all

That is everything Damian said. And Elena. You gave me Lily. You kept her safe. You did good.

I started crying harder.

Damian crossed the room and pulled me into a hug. It was awkward at first. Then his arms tightened.

Hey he said softly. Hey. It is okay.

I am a mess I said into his shirt.

You are a mother Damian said. There is a difference.

At 1:30pm my phone buzzed again.

2pm. Do not make me wait.

I looked at Damian. He was on a call in his office. I could not interrupt him.

I made a stupid decision.

I went.

The Sterling Cafe was a private place. Members only. All glass and white chairs and people who drank coffee that cost 20 dollars.

Vanessa was already there. Red dress again. Sunglasses on the table. A file folder in front of her. She looked like she owned the place.

Miss Carter she said when she saw me. Sit.

I sat.

You are brave coming alone Vanessa said and smiled. But stupid.

Damian does not know I am here I said.

Of course he does not Vanessa said. Because if he did he would tell you not to. He thinks he can protect you.

Protect me from what

From the truth Vanessa said and opened the folder.

Inside were more photos. Me pregnant at 6 months. Me and Lily as a baby in a tiny apartment. Me working three jobs. Me at a bus stop in the rain.

I have been watching you for six months Vanessa said. Ever since Damian hired a new nanny with no references and Lily started calling her Elena instead of Miss Carter.

You had no right to follow me I said.

I had every right Vanessa said. Damian and I were engaged three years ago. Did you know that

I did not.

We broke it off because of business Vanessa said. But that does not mean I stopped caring. That does not mean I stopped loving him.

She closed the folder.

Here is what is going to happen Miss Carter. You are going to resign. Today. You will get 500 thousand dollars and a ticket anywhere you want. And you will never see Lily again.

I stared at her.

No I said.

Vanessa's smile dropped. Excuse me

I said no I repeated. My voice was shaking but I said it. Lily is my daughter. I am not leaving her.

Vanessa leaned forward. You have no legal claim. Damian is the father. He can get full custody with one phone call. One lawyer.

You do not know that I said.

I know Damian Vanessa said. He hates being lied to. And you lied to him for five years. The moment he gets angry enough he will choose me. The safe choice. The one who does not come with scandals. The one who knows how to be a Sterling wife.

She pushed an envelope across the table.

500 thousand Vanessa said. Sign the resignation letter inside. Walk away. Or I go to the press. Billionaire's secret love child. Nanny scam. Think of what that will do to Lily. Think of what the kids at school will say in ten years.

My hands were shaking.

I stood up. I am not signing anything.

Then you will regret it Vanessa said.

I walked out.

My phone was blowing up by the time I got to the car.

Damian. 6 missed calls.

I called him back.

Where are you he said immediately.

The cafe I said.

You went to see her Damian's voice was sharp.

Yes I whispered.

Are you okay

I am fine.

Elena stay there. I am coming.

He hung up.

He was there in ten minutes.

He got in the passenger seat and looked at me.

What did she say

She offered me money to leave Damian I said. And she threatened to go to the press.

Damian's jaw ticked.

Get in my car he said.

We drove in silence back to the estate.

In his office he poured two glasses of water and handed me one.

You should have told me you were meeting her he said.

I know I said. I was scared.

Do not be scared of me Damian said. Be scared of her. She plays dirty.

What are we going to do

We are going to tell Lily the truth tonight Damian said. And then tomorrow we go to my lawyers. We file for joint custody. You and me. As parents. Equal.

My heart stopped.

Joint custody

You are her mother Damian said. I am not letting Vanessa or anyone else take that from you.

I started crying again.

Damian crossed the room and pulled me into his arms.

Hey he said softly. Hey. It is okay.

I am sorry I said into his shirt. I ruined everything.

You did not ruin anything Damian said. You gave me Lily.

That night we told her.

We sat on her bed. All three of us.

Lily looked between us with big eyes.

Baby Damian said. You know how you have a daddy and you have Elena

Lily nodded.

Well Elena is also your mommy Damian said.

Lily frowned. Like in the drawing

Yes I said and took her hand. Like in the drawing.

Lily thought about it for a second.

So you are my real mom

Yes baby I said.

And Daddy is my real daddy

Yes Damian said.

Lily threw her arms around both of us.

I have a mommy and a daddy she said. The best day ever.

I cried again.

Damian held both of us.

After she fell asleep we went to the living room.

She took it well Damian said.

She is strong I said. Like her father.

Damian smiled a little. The lawyers will be here at 9am.

Okay.

Elena Damian said.

Yes

I am not letting her hurt you. Or Lily.

I believe you.

Good Damian said. Now come here.

He pulled me onto the couch next to him.

We did not talk. We just sat there. His arm around me. My head on his shoulder.

For the first time it felt real.

At 2am my phone buzzed.

An email.

Subject: BREAKING NEWS

I opened it.

Billionaire Damian Sterling's Secret Daughter. Nanny Scandal Rocks NYC Elite.

There was a photo of me at the party. And a photo of Lily. And a quote from an anonymous source.

Vanessa had done it.

Damian saw it over my shoulder.

He cursed.

We have to do something I said.

We will Damian said. First thing in the morning I call a press conference. We tell the truth. Before she can spin it.

What truth

That Lily has two parents who love her Damian said. And that anyone who tries to hurt her will answer to me.

He looked at me.

Are you ready for this

No I said honestly.

Me neither Damian said. But we do it together.

He kissed my forehead.

Get some sleep Elena. Tomorrow is going to be a war.

I nodded.

As I walked to my room I heard my phone buzz again.

Another text from Vanessa.

You should have taken the money.

I deleted it.

Because I had something better now.

I had them.

The next morning came fast.

The lawyers arrived at 9am sharp. Three men in black suits with briefcases. They spread papers across the dining table.

Joint custody agreement Damian said. Full parental rights for Elena Carter. NDA for all staff. And a statement for the press at noon.

I signed everything. My hand was shaking but I signed.

At 11am Vanessa showed up at the gate.

Security called up.

Mr Sterling she is here Damian said into the phone. And she is not leaving.

Damian looked at me.

Stay here he said.

I followed him anyway.

Vanessa was standing at the front door in a white pantsuit. She looked like she was going to a funeral. Maybe mine.

Damian she said. We need to talk.

No Damian said.

You cannot do this Vanessa said. You cannot just parade a nanny around as the mother of your child. Think of the company. Think of your reputation.

I am thinking of my daughter Damian said.

She is not your daughter Vanessa said. Not really. Not until the DNA test comes back.

I went cold.

What DNA test I asked.

The one I ordered Vanessa said and smiled. Results come back tomorrow.

Damian stepped in front of me.

Get off my property he said.

You will regret this Vanessa said.

She left.

That night I could not sleep again.

Damian came to my room at midnight.

Can I come in he asked.

Yes.

He sat on the edge of my bed.

Are you scared he asked.

Yes.

Me too Damian said.

Of what

Of messing this up Damian said. Of not being a good father. Of not being a good partner to you.

You will be I said.

How do you know

Because of the way you look at her Damian said.

We sat in silence.

Elena Damian said.

Yes

When the results come back tomorrow. Whatever they say. I want you to know. I believe you.

Thank you I whispered.

And Damian

Yes

I want to try. With us.

Damian took my hand.

So do I he said.

The next day the results came.

Positive. 99.99 percent match.

Lily was ours.

Vanessa stopped calling after that.

But I knew she was not done.

End of Chapter 8