Chapter 1

Elliot Sheppard and I dated for seven years. Just as we were about to get married, he left me for Margot Fairgrave, just because she was the daughter of his imprisoned mentor.

I kept compromising out of love, and three years elapsed just like that.

I was done waiting.

…

News of Elliot Sheppard and Margot Fairgrave's lavish wedding of the century shocked Athland, but no one knew I was supposed to be the bride.

I could still remember the night Elliot knelt beside me and begged me in a shaking voice. "Celeste, I found Maggie. She's in bad shape after Professor Fairgrave's arrest, and I have to protect her. That's the only way I can repay him.

"So please, let her be my bride."

Even after three years, his words still cut deep like a blade.

While I was deep in thought, a miniature version of Elliot appeared before my eyes. "You're just a dumb nanny, so who are you to tell me what to do?"

This was my son with Elliot, Rowan Sheppard.

I was just about to speak when Margot strode forward and cradled him protectively. After giving him a careful once-over, she turned to give me a wary glare.

"Ms. Duvall, Rowan's only three. Please don't be too hard on him."

Hearing that, I frowned and felt oddly unsettled. All I'd done was remind Rowan to eat his greens for the sake of a balanced diet, and he'd pushed his plate onto the floor. The food went all over my clothes.

Snuggling into her arms, he pouted. "Mom, I was building our family of three's Lego set for you and Dad's wedding anniversary. But this nanny had to nag me about veggies, and now, it's ruined!"

My breath hitched. I'd almost forgotten that seven days from now, Elliot and Margot would celebrate their third wedding anniversary. It was the same date he and I started dating, and my birthday.

We'd chosen that day for the wedding, just to weave the celebrations into something greater. And now, every meaning behind that date had turned bitter.

I remembered when Elliot brought Margot to me the day after the wedding. She'd timidly held out a stuffed toy, looking all the more like a frightened fawn.

"Thank you, Ms. Duvall. And happy birthday."

My heart had softened, and I'd taken the toy.

Pleased, Elliot affectionately ruffled my hair and said, "I'm counting on you to take care of Maggie for me."

That one act of concession had stretched into three years.

Shoving the scattered Lego pile aside, Rowan complained, "Mom's pretty eyes are gone. I have to fix it so everyone knows what a happy family we are!"

With that, he knelt and kept searching for pieces.

Margot gave him an indulgent yet helpless smile before turning to me, looking slightly apologetic."You don't have to worry about Rowan again, Ms. Duvall. I'll take care of him from now on."

Then, she took his hand and said, "Your dad's waiting for us to go camping. Let's finish this after we're back, alright?"

After taking a few steps forward, she looked back and asked, "Would you like to come with us?"

Before I could answer, Rowan cut in. "No! We're going as a family, so why should an outsider like her crash our camping trip? I'm three now, and I don't need a nanny!

"I don't want her picking me up from school either, only you and Dad!"

Margot pinched his chubby cheeks in a half-hearted reprimand. "Mind your manners with Ms. Duvall."

I stood frozen and watched them leave as a thousand thoughts raced through my mind.

To Rowan, I was a nanny and an outsider. He'd never know that I was his mother.

When Elliot had taken Rowan away, he'd promised it was only temporary and that he'd return me what was rightfully mine.

"Celeste, the directors at the company are watching every move I make. Maggie needs to give them an heir to quiet them down.

"Don't worry. Once I find evidence that clears Professor Fairgrave's name, I'll bring our son back to you. I swear you'll be the only woman who ever gets to stay by my side.

"Please, just help me one last time…"

But that "last time" had stretched into three years with no ending in sight, as if my patience and concession had paved the way for their perfect family of three.