53

Chapter 53

Brittany’s Pov

They didn’t want to open up, when I knocked the first time. I opened the door. I'm impatient when it gets to knocking and waiting for someone to open up.

Then I entered, all eyes were on me. I focused on Darcy’s eyes, my future husband. He was surprised I came to his house. I saw how he wished I would disappear in his cold eyes. I felt his whole body tense.

At least my presence makes him shake. That's something.

Too bad for him. I'm not going anywhere.

My cream silk hugged my figure making me look pretty, my stylist did a good job with my hair making it in soft waves, makeup perfect. I looked rich, powerful, untouchable. A woman who belonged in his world.

A woman who belonged with him.

“Brittany,” he called my name with a cold, dry voice “What are you doing here?”

I smiled like a small child given sweets and then moved closer to Darcy. Before he could react or say any other thing, I kissed him.

The kiss was a quick one. Confidence.

A reminder that I could still have him.

His face tightened, into anger or something but his eyes betrayed him so what he's feeling inside. He still felt something for me.

Then I saw her.

Adrian.

She stood there frozen , her eyes wide open in shock. Perfect. I wanted her to see. I wanted her to see that she belonged in the gutters and not my man's house. She's just a nanny and can't compete with me.

I turned slightly so my voice carried.

“My name is Brittany,” I said brightly. “Soon to be engaged to Darcy Rodrigo.”

Her face paled. I gave her a slow, deliberate glance—plain clothes, bare face, nervous posture. “You must be Pink’s nanny, right? I saw you in that tabloid piece. When Pink chose you as her nanny.”

“Ye—” she started.

“No need to explain.” I waved her off lightly. “Children can be impulsive when choosing who to trust.”

“Brittany.” Darcy’s tone was a warning.

I ignored him. “Where’s Pink? I brought her a gift.” I turned back to Adrian. “Fetch her for me, will you?”

She hesitated, looked at Darcy to correct me. But in the end, she went upstairs. Good girl. She knew her place.

As Darcy dismissed the bodyguard, I moved closer to Darcy.

I touched his hand, and he held my wrist, so hard it hurts with those dangerous stares.

“Ow,Darcy,” I said softly, smiling. “Trying to break my wrist, darling?”

“What is this?” His voice was low, angry. “Did my parents tell you to come here?”

“There’s no plan, Darcy. I’m here because I care for you, for Pink. For us.”

“We didn’t ask for it.”

The words hurt, but I masked it. “Funny. Your body said something else in your office that night.”

“That was a mistake.”

“Was it?” I got closer to him. “You didn’t look mistaken when you held my waist, slid your hands in my tights and kissed me back.”

His eyes hardened.“Brittany,leave. Now.”

Then, I heard tiny footsteps coming down the stairs. I paused.

Pink came down, holding Adrian’s hand. I softened instantly, turning on my warmest, most maternal smile.

“Pink!” I crouched down. “You’ve grown so much! You're pretty too."

"Thank you,"

"My name is Brittany and I'm your daddy's....”

Darcy cuts in, "Enough of the introduction Brittany."

"Okay," I smiled

She looked uncertain but didn’t move away when I touched her hair. “You look beautiful Pink,” I said sweetly.

“Thank you,” she said

I showed her the gifts, I got her a gold bracelet and a stuffed unicorn. “For you, Pink. I heard you love unicorns.”

Her eyes lit up with excitement. She wanted to take it but she looked to her father to seek permission.

Darcy nodded.

She took the gift, smiling. “Thank you, daddy. Thank you Aunty Brittany!”

I smiled. Soon you’ll be calling me Mommy.

Then I wore her bracelet which looked good on her.

“Adrian, take her upstairs,” Darcy said firmly. “Stay there until I come for you.”

Adrian obeyed, but not before giving me one last look—hurt, confused, afraid.

Good. She should be.

Once they were gone, Darcy turned to me. “Brittany, enough. I’m not getting engaged. I never agreed to anything.”

“You’re lying Darcy,” I said softly. “You still feel what I feel.”

“I don’t.”

I opened my mouth to talk back, but Adrian reappeared with a glass of juice. Perfect timing.

I leaned close to Darcy, pretending to whisper something, brushing my fingers along his collar so it looked like a kiss. I made sure Adrian saw it.

“See?” I said under my breath. “You can’t resist me.”

“Brittany, stop,” he growled.

Adrian stepped closer, voice even. “I brought this for our guest.”

Darcy looked exhausted. I took the juice with a polite smile. “How thoughtful, Adrian.”

She turned to go back but I stopped her. “Wait. Adrian: Sit with me. I’d love to know about the woman who spends so much time with Darcy and Pink.”

Darcy glared, but I ignored him.

Adrian sat on the sofa, tense. I smiled warmly. “You know, Darcy and I have a long history. We were crazy about each other. We love each other.”

“Brittany...” Darcy warned.

“We used to stay up all night talking,” I went on smoothly. “Or not talking.” I gave a faint laugh. “we'd sex at every corner of the house.”

Adrian couldn't say anything but I saw the pains in her eyes. Perfect.

“And just last week in his office,” I added, “he held me, kissed me passionately. Couldn’t help himself.”

“That’s enough,Brittany, ” Darcy said sharply.

“Some romance can’t be erased,” I said softly, locking eyes with Adrian. “Real love always finds its way back. Or are you scared of her hearing it?”

Darcy’s voice cut through the air. “Adrian, go check on Pink upstairs.”

She stood quickly, relief flashing across her face. “Of course.”

She left.

I leaned back, sipping the juice. “She seems nice,” I said casually. “Naive, though.”

“Brittany, leave,” Darcy ordered. “Now.”

I rose slowly, smoothing my dress. “Such a shame. We were having a good talk.”

He opened the door. Yes, he was sending me out. I walked closer to it, then turned and saw Adrian standing at the stair rail with Pink that was waving at me.

“Bye, sweetheart. I’ll see you both at the gala,” I said cheerfully.

Then I faced Darcy and whispered, “Give us another chance Darcy. You won’t regret it. Brittany always wins.”

Outside, my driver opened the car door. I slid inside, but I didn’t tell him to drive yet. I watched the mansion through the tinted window. Five minutes later I instructed him to drive out.

—

When our car moved and the mansion was out of sight, we made a stop close to the bridge. Another sleek black car parked closer to mine.

A man in a suit stepped out of the car and entered mine sitting beside me.

“Hello, Ms. Brittany Hawthorne,”

I gave him an envelope. “Pink’s hair. I pulled a few strands when I touched her.”

He nodded. “And the other sample?”

“I’ll get it at the gala. I’ll be close to Adrian then.”

He placed the envelope in his jacket. “When do you need the results?”

“After the gala, let it be fast. But be sure they’re accurate.”

“I can get you a preliminary report in a week.”

“Good. You’ll have the rest of your payment when it’s done.”

I passed him a second envelope stuffed with cash. He didn’t bother to count it before stepping out and disappearing with his ride.

My driver looked back. “Home, Ms. Hawthorne?”

“Yes. Home.”

As we drove off, I felt the rush of victory. The night had gone perfectly.

I’d reminded Darcy who really had control. Showed Adrian her place. And got what I came for, a hair strand for Pink’s DNA.

In two weeks, I’d know the truth. Was that little girl really Adrian’s daughter?

If she wasn’t, Adrian would be nothing but just a disposable nanny.

But if she was…

Then I could use that.

I could expose her, make Darcy believe she lied her way into his home. Or maybe blackmail her.

Or maybe I’d save it for later, when it would hurt most.

I smiled, dabbing my face while I looked in the compact mirror. My lipstick was still perfect. My eyes are bright with triumph.

I had walked into that house like the future Mrs. Rodrigo. And I’d left with everything I needed to make it real.

Darcy could deny me. Adrian could tremble. Pink could cling to her nanny.

I no longer care or so I thought.

The gala is in five days and everything will go according to plan.

I took my phone and typed a quick message to Vivienne: The visit went well.

Her reply came instantly: Wonderful, darling. We'd figure out the next plan and I know Margaret would be pleased.

I smiled.

Soon, she’d have a daughter married to the Rodrigo name. And I’d have everything, status, wealth, power.

The man.

The child.

The family.

All of it mine.

I relaxed my back on the seat, it was a long day of standing like a model. It's getting dark.

With the leverage I'm collecting, I could destroy or control anyone who got in my way.

My lips curved into a satisfied smile.

—

When I got inside the house, my mum came forward, "where have you been Brittany,to your father's study now, there's an issue at hand..."