Chapter 2

Kyra

I couldn’t sleep. Anxiety consumed me. The way he looked at me and everything that was left unsaid there left me terrified and afraid. I took advantage of the night to drink something strong, hoping I would forget the day and be much better tomorrow to face this new life.

The sky was still gray when I returned to the mansion the next morning, this time with my small suitcase in hand and my throat tight with anticipation—what if everything went wrong? Everything there felt too silent. No music. No life. As if no one breathed loudly inside that house—only whispered orders or kept quiet to avoid disturbing the boss.

The door was opened again by the same employee from the night before. He simply nodded, as if I already belonged there. But I didn’t belong. I didn’t even feel welcome.

Liam, or rather, Mr. Blackthorne was waiting for me in the side hallway, dressed in a dark suit with an expensive watch on his wrist—the kind of man who seems late for everything, except for commanding someone. And the kind of man I want to stay far away from.

— Punctuality — he said, dryly. — A good start, Miss Lystem.

I nodded, gripping the handle of my suitcase tightly. I wanted to be strong. But everything about him made me feel… exposed. As if he could read my thoughts before I could even organize them. Damn it!

— I’ll show you what you need to know — he continued. — The house is divided into three floors. You stay on the first, in the room next to Julie’s. Never go upstairs. The second floor is private and the third is my bedroom and some other rooms. You may go up whenever you want, but keep your distance from the second-floor corridors.

The way he said private sounded like a code. Like an invisible wall that, if crossed, would have consequences that came without warning.

— Alright — I murmured.

We passed through the minimalist living room, the overly large kitchen that didn’t seem used, and a hallway decorated with monochromatic paintings. Some of the frames were just childlike scribbles, probably Julie’s.

— This is Julie’s room. She only uses it when she wants to draw. She rarely speaks or interacts much. She almost never smiles at anyone. Don’t try to force anything. She’ll observe you for days before allowing any approach. I hope that won’t be a problem for you.

— Respecting limits will never be a problem for me. I’m here to learn from her as well.

— She’s asthmatic — he added, stopping in front of a white door. — That’s important. The attacks may be rare, but when they happen, you need to act in seconds. Because the attacks are silent.

He opened the door and revealed a built-in cabinet filled with medication, inhalers, masks, oxygen tanks, and laminated instructions.

— Read everything. Twice. Until you know it by heart. This is the only part of the house where I don’t tolerate mistakes.

I nodded, swallowing hard. I knew that tone. That weight in his words. Liam wasn’t asking. He was delivering a verdict.

— She goes to school three times a week. The driver already knows the schedule. When she’s home, keep the windows closed. The humidity affects her breathing.

— Does she sleep with the door open?

He looked at me intensely.

— She doesn’t sleep through the night. She has frequent nightmares and usually wakes up several times during the night.

Silence. And then I saw her. Little Julie. Small. Shoulder-length blonde hair, huge blue and sad eyes, and a stuffed bunny stained with paint in her arms.

She stood in the bedroom doorway, silent, just watching us.

— Julie — Liam called, his voice lower, but still firm. — This is Kyra. She will be your new nanny starting today. I want you to meet her, sweetheart.

The girl didn’t respond. Didn’t move. She just turned and walked away as if she already knew there was no reason to interact. Meanwhile, he seemed to be making an effort.

— She’s four years old — he explained. — But sometimes she seems older. I hope you can handle her in a light and friendly way. I hope you don’t give up easily.

He ran his fingers along the cuffs of his shirt. Adjusted his tie with precision. Everything about him was control. Even love. If there was still any left inside him.

— You can start now. Take your suitcase. Read the instructions. And be ready at 7 p.m. We have dinner punctually. Every day, at the same time.

I looked at him, unsure if “we have dinner” included him, or just the child.

— Should I serve dinner? — Because that was also written, but only for little Julie.

He gave a half-smile. The first one. But it was cruel.

— No. You just need to be present. I want to observe how she reacts to you at the table. — He took two steps closer. — And how you behave when placed under expectation.

The air seemed to grow heavier. There was no physical contact. No direct threat. But there was something in his words that marked me like a branding iron. I nodded slowly. I kept my chin up, even as everything inside me trembled. But before stepping away, he looked at me firmly and said:

— Welcome to the routine, Miss Lystem.

Liam

She didn’t ask anything else. Good girl. I watched as she disappeared down the hallway with her suitcase. Her walk was hesitant, but her neck remained firm. Kyra wasn’t made to submit easily. But something in her… was already bending, even without realizing it. Was it fear or caution? That’s what interested me.

Julie was still watching me from afar, hiding behind her bedroom door, with those curious little eyes that reminded me of my cruel past.

— What did you think of her? — I asked, looking at her and smiling, trying not to get lost there.

My daughter just clutched the bunny against her chest and went back into the room without answering.

It was the closest thing to approval I would get at that moment. But it was already something.

I returned to my office. The day would be long. Meetings, contracts, decisions. But, for the first time in months, something in the house felt different. Not silent anymore. But restless.

And I liked that restlessness. Because it reminded me that I’m still human. That I have a daughter and I need to move forward without looking back, or I’ll keep losing myself.

Julie needs me whole, because we only have each other now.