Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
The older woman’s attention drops to my bare legs before snapping back up, her mouth tightening just enough to send heat creeping up my neck. The man beside her remains silent, his gaze darting between Laiken and me with speculation.
Like I’m a booty call who overstayed her welcome.
“We didn’t realize you had company, Laiken,” the woman says coolly.
The judgment in her tone is unmistakable.
Awkwardness descends, and for the first time in months, I wish I’d woken up feeling sick. Then I wouldn’t have stumbled headfirst into whatever fresh hell this is.
“I’m sorry,” I manage, my gaze slicing to Laiken. “I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine. You’re not intruding.”
With a handful of strides, he swallows up the distance between us, stopping close enough to feel the heat of his body at my side. His presence manages to steady me even as thick tension radiates from him.
“This is Abigail and Henry,” he says evenly. “Sarah’s parents. They stopped by to see Elody.” His attention stays locked on me. “And this is Kia.”
Before either of them has a chance to respond, Elody squeezes me tighter before tilting her head back to grin up at me. “Kia lives here with us!” She pauses, as if remembering something important. “She makes the best eggs. Sometimes we color, and she braids Penny’s hair.”
Another shocked silence follows that announcement.
“I’m sorry… did you say she lives here?” Abigail’s eyes narrow. “Exactly how long has this been going on for?”
Laiken’s hand brushes against my lower back. The touch is brief but comforting.
“It’s a new development,” he says.
Henry clears his throat. “And you didn’t think to discuss it with us first?”
Elody’s brow furrows, her small body stiffening, as if sensing the sudden shift in the room. “I want Kia to stay forever.”
I open my mouth, ready to explain that I’m just the nanny, when Laiken beats me to the punch.
“Actually, Kia and I are getting married.”
The words have the same effect as a bomb being dropped in the middle of the room. For a suspended beat, no one moves or dares to breathe. The air feels charged, as if the smallest sound might shatter it.
My pulse roars in my ears. It’s impossible to reconcile the words that just tumbled from his mouth.
Married?
I swing toward Laiken, waiting for him to correct himself, but he doesn’t. Instead, his gaze stays fixed straight ahead, as if daring either of them to argue.
Elody’s face lights up as she squeals while bouncing in place. “Yay! Daddy and Kia are getting married!”
“This is unacceptable,” Abigail snaps. “You should have talked to us first.”
“I can understand why you’d feel this way, but it’s not up for discussion,” Laiken says flatly.
Henry stiffens. “That’s not how this works.”
Laiken’s expression remains calm in a way that’s almost frightening. “Actually, it is.”
The silence continues to stretch until it feels as though it’ll reach a breaking point.
Abigail’s lips thin. “We’re supposed to be consulted on decisions that affect Elody.”
“I would never do anything that wasn’t in my daughter’s best interest,” Laiken replies in a clipped tone. “She comes first. Always. And I don’t need your approval to get remarried.”
“We’ll see what our lawyer has to say about that,” she huffs.
“You do that.”
With an irritated scoff, she reaches for her purse. “Henry, let’s go.”
The older man turns to his granddaughter before forcing a slight smile. “We’ll see you soon, sweetheart.” With that, they move toward the elevator.
Elody waves. “Bye, Mimi and Pop-Pop!”
The elevator doors slide shut with a whoosh that sounds far too final in the quiet aftermath. My heart continues to race as the reality of what just happened crashes over me.
Married.
The word reverberates throughout my head.
There’s no way he meant it.
I look at Laiken again, searching for something to say, but my mind remains stubbornly blank.
He rakes a hand through his hair. “I’m really sorry for dragging you into this.”
“It’s fine,” I manage, still in shock.
“I just…” His voice trails off as Elody darts forward and wraps herself around my legs, her arms locking tight like she’s afraid I’ll disappear into thin air if she lets go for even a moment.
“Are you going to be my new mommy?”
The question steals the air from my lungs. My mouth parts in surprise as my gaze snaps to Laiken’s, panic crashing through me in a rush. I don’t know what the right answer is or if one even exists. Every possible response feels like a misstep.
So I remain frozen, rooted in place, silently pleading for direction.
For rescue.
Laiken moves before I can gather my wits, and drops to his knees beside Elody. With gentle fingers, he brushes her hair back. “Hey, bug, why don’t you go play in your room for a few minutes, okay? Kia and I need to talk.”
Elody’s lower lip trembles as she looks between us, her grip tightening around me. “I want Kia to be my new mommy. Please?”