Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

ELIZA’S P.O.V - BEHIND THE SCENE

“You should count yourself lucky this man didn’t charge you in court for trying to abduct his kids,” the young officer said, folding his arms as he leaned against the cold, gray wall of the station. His voice was casual, but his words hit like a slap.

I stood quietly, rubbing my wrist where the handcuffs had left a faint red mark. My bones were tired, but my ears stayed sharp, alert to every sound around me , there were flickers of  lights above, I could hear the voices from other officers, and the echo of someone typing in a back room.

The officer continued, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “Trying to abduct a child doesn’t really fit a pretty lady like you, you know.”

His words sounded more like sarcasm, and I hated the way his eyes stared at me like he was waiting for a reaction.

“I wasn’t trying to abduct those kids,” I snapped, unable to hide the anger in my voice. “How many times do I need to say it?”

He shrugged slowly, like he didn’t care. “You were caught with three children, at the mall, feeding them cupcakes. You don’t think that looks suspicious?”

I bit down on my bottom lip to keep myself from screaming. “They were lost. They were looking for their father. I helped them, I comforted them, that’s all.”

He walked closer, his boots landing against the tiled floor. “That man, their father, said he didn’t even know you. You expect me to believe you were just playing babysitter for fun?”

“I don’t care what he said,” I replied, my voice cracking slightly. “He wasn’t there when I found them wandering alone, he wasn't there when I saw his daughter crying. I didn’t harm them. I bought them cupcakes to cheer them up, and also because they were scared!”

The officer’s face didn’t change. He looked bored, like this was just another day, another file. But for me, it wasn’t. This wasn’t just some misunderstanding. This was my life falling apart.

I closed my eyes for a moment. My brother. He was still at the hospital. Alone and weak. He could be dying right now, and here I was, stuck in a police station, defending myself for being a good person.

He finally sighed and stepped back. “You can go. This time.”

I opened my eyes and looked at him in disbelief.

“Leave here before you get yourself detained again,” he added coldly, already turning away.

I clenched my jaw, grabbed my bag, and started walking toward the door. My legs felt tired and heavy at the same time. My steps were heavy with anger, fear, and exhaustion.

Outside, the cold air hit my face like a slap. I pulled my jacket tighter and I could feel my eyes heavy from the tears I held back. 

“Calm down Eliza.” I said, blinking back the tears that burned my eyes.

Why did everything always have to go wrong?

Why was being kind always mistaken for something else?

Why did no one believe me?

I had to see George and if there was one thing I wished for, was never to see that man ever again.

My eyes rolled in slow circles as I tried to process everything. My brain began calculating, I began thinking fast. What was next? What do I do now? I had no job, no money, I needed a plan.

I took one careful step after another and walked out of the station, slowly. Each step felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. As I stood just outside the main entrance, I paused at the doorway.

Lifting my face to the sky, I let the warm rays of the afternoon sun shine on my skin. It soaked into my tired bones, washing over me like a silent promise that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow could be better. I inhaled deeply, pulling in strength, courage, and a sliver of peace.

Then, slowly, my gaze lowered. My face came down with quiet determination. I was ready to face whatever would come next. Ready to fight, cry, run, whatever it took. I was ready to do anything for my brother, Georgie.

And then, a sleek black Rolls Royce rolled into view, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight. The engine was like a beast holding back its growl. The car didn’t just pass by. It slowed… then came to a stop.

Right in front of me.

I froze, the passenger door opened.

A man stepped out in an expensive dark suit that clung to his tall, lean frame with perfection. His posture screamed power, he had broad shoulders, long legs, the kind of presence that made people step aside without being asked. His black dress shoes were spotless and shining like they’d never touched dust.

His jawline was sharp, I had seen them before.

I took two steps back, my eyes shutting in a second, I needed to be sure of the person I was seeing.

It was him. The man who had called the police on me.

The man who told the officers I tried to abduct his kids.

The man who looked me in the eyes earlier and didn’t see truth, or kindness, or intention. He only saw a threat.

And now… he was standing right in front of me.

His gaze wore onto mine, unmoving, unblinking. He didn’t smile. He didn’t frown. He simply stared. Like he was trying to read something on my face. Like he wasn’t sure if I was real.

Was I supposed to run? No I couldn't.

“Hi.” His voice was calm. Too calm for someone who had almost ruined my life and time.

His hands adjusted the cuffs of his shirt again, then slowly, he took a step closer. The scent of his expensive cologne drifted came to me, it was warm, woody, and rich. It was the kind of scent that didn’t just fill the air, it demanded space. Everything about him screamed money, power, and control.

“You?” I asked, my brows folding in disbelief.

“I know you have a lot of questions on your mind but I..”

“You what?!” I snapped, my voice almost rising before I could stop it. “Are you here to call the cops on me again?... Well, Mr. I’ve had enough drama for today.”

My legs moved forward before my brain could stop them. My face hardened into a scowl as I walked past him, the tension in my chest refusing to settle.

“Daddy!” a tiny voice called from inside the parked Rolls Royce, halting my steps for a split second. I turned slightly, catching the brief image of a small face peeking through the half-lowered tinted glass.

“Hey… hey… please, hear me out,” he said quickly, his footsteps following behind mine.

“I'm not abducting your child” I said, quickening my pace.

“I made a mistake!” he called. “I misjudged you. I panicked. It’s not an excuse, but I’m trying to fix it.”

I stopped, breathing heavily. My back remained turned to him.

He took a step closer. “Please. Just give me one minute. One honest minute.”

There was silence. Then I slowly turned to face him.

His face had changed, it was less stone, there was more flesh. The tightness around his mouth had eased. His jaw wasn’t clenched. There was a softness in the way he looked at me, different from earlier before.

“My kids…” he said, lowering his voice, “…they’re watching from the car. Please, don’t let them see me beg and fail.”

I glanced toward the vehicle. Three little faces now stared curiously through the glass. 

I recognized the little girl, I had cheered her up while she cried back at the mall. She gave me a small wave. 

“I was wrong,” he continued, his voice almost breaking. “I let fear and misunderstanding control me. I should have asked. I should have listened. But I didn’t. And I’m sorry.”

I searched his eyes for dishonesty, but then i saw only regret.

“I sincerely apologize.”

My jaw loosened, my fists unclenched.

“I forgive you,” I said slowly, nodding once. “I couldn’t join the interview today because of you. I need a job very desperately and today? It was a disaster all because you got ne arrested. But don’t ever do that to someone else again. You could have destroyed me.”

“I know,” he replied softly. 

There was silence between us and it was heavy heavy.

“If you'll not mind… I'd like to request something for you” he said. 

My eyebrows lifted cautiously.

“I’ve been through seven nannies in five months. None of them could connect with my kids. But you… just today, they’ve kept asking about you. They liked you. I’ve never seen them drawn to a stranger before.”

He took a breath. “Would you consider… being their nanny?”

I blinked. My brain did a double take.

A part of me was flattered. Another part of me wanted to laugh.

One minute, this man had me arrested. Next, he’s asking me to care for his kids.

Deep down, I needed the money. My brother needed saving. But was I really supposed to take a job from someone who nearly destroyed me?

Was I supposed to say yes… just like that?