HOW I MET YOUR FATHER

IVY’S POV

My chest was almost paralyzed with the fear that hit me, and my hands shook around the plastic bowl of baby food.

Was she stolen while I was downstairs in the kitchen?

What if she tripped over something and fell?

I was definitely going to get sued this time. I wouldn’t be able to escape this one like yesterday.

“Ava?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Ava!” I called again, but got nothing in return.

I dropped the food and rushed out into the hallway, breathing heavily. I started running down the long corridor, checking every single open door and my panic intensified when I still didn't find her.

I turned a sharp corner and stopped when I realized it was the master bedroom, where Mrs. Reynolds had warned me to never go in for any reason. I’d just started to turn back when I heard that familiar tiny, high-pitched sound. It was Ava’s voice, and it was coming from the master bedroom.

Relief flooded my chest as my heartbeat started to relax, realizing she was completely safe and not kidnapped.

But despite my relief, my hand hovered over the brass handle as I pondered what to do. Mrs. Reynolds seemed very serious when she warned about not entering this place. And from everything Ethan told me, the last thing I wanted was to cross Mr. Blackwood. I planned to avoid him all through my stay here.

Ava’s giggle came from behind the door again, interrupting my thoughts, and I made my decision that instant.

Fuck it, I thought, gripping the handle tightly. I didn’t care about any stupid rules right now. I was a nanny, and it was my duty to take care of the baby, which in this case included retrieving her before she swallowed something dangerous.

I pushed the door open and, just as I guessed, Ava was seated right in the middle of the rug, playing with a black fountain pen. She was about to push it into her mouth when I rushed over to her and picked her up from the floor.

“Ava, no, no!” I gasped, quickly snatching the pen out of her tiny fingers and tossing it far across the floor. "Oh Ava, you really scared me. Please don't wander off like that next time. Now, let's go eat".

Before turning to leave, I couldn't help but look around the luxurious space. The room had a high king bed with charcoal sheets tucked perfectly, and behind it was a gray accent wall paired with the wood floors. The left wall was a row of seamless, matte black wardrobes that hid all clutter.

I nodded, totally impressed at the beautiful sight, and I was about to leave when my eyes caught something on the floor near the nightstand.

It was a scattered pile of pictures of who I assumed to be the late Mrs. Blackwood. I peered closer to get a better look, and my stomach churned. She was beautiful with long dark hair and eyes exactly like mine, just like Mrs. Reynolds had told me. But the image was ruined by a reddish-brown stain that seemed like dried blood. The edges were also crumpled, as if someone had angrily gripped it before tossing it away.

I was about to peer closer to see what was written on the back of one of the flipped-over images when a voice came from behind me.

“Who are you and what the fuck are you doing here?!”

I knew exactly what I would find when I turned. An angry-looking Mr. Blackwood. But what I didn’t expect to see was the same blue eyes from last night.

My blood turned to ice as my brain spelt out the sight before me. Mr. Blackwood was the stranger I kissed yesterday from the club, and from the way he was looking at me, he recognized me too.