Chapter 4 - Healing Wounds
Life in the Blackwood mansion changed drastically over the next few weeks.
I was no longer wearing a black-and-white uniform.
Victor had promoted me to Ethan’s official governess, doubling my salary and moving me into a beautiful suite on the second floor.
More importantly, the heavy, oppressive atmosphere of the house had lifted.
Ethan’s shoulder was healing beautifully.
His laughter, once a rare sound, now filled the massive hallways.
“Look, Clara! A butterfly!” Ethan giggled, running across the lush green lawn of the estate.
I chased after him, laughing, completely forgetting about the lingering soreness in my ribs.
From the terrace, Victor watched us.
He held a cup of coffee, his usually stressed expression softened by a small smile.
Ever since the incident, Victor had made a conscious effort to be home more often.
He was a billionaire CEO, running a global empire, but he was learning how to be a father again.
He stepped down from the terrace and walked toward us.
He had taken off his tie, looking uncharacteristically relaxed.
“Am I interrupting?” he asked.
“Never, Mr. Blackwood,” I smiled, helping Ethan catch his breath.
“I thought we agreed you’d call me Victor,” he said, his intense gray eyes locking onto mine.
A blush crept up my neck. “It’s… hard to get used to, sir.”
He chuckled, a deep, rich sound.
He scooped Ethan up into his arms, tossing him gently into the air, making the little boy shriek with joy.
For a moment, we looked like a real family.
The thought made my heart skip a beat, but I quickly pushed it away.
He was a billionaire. I was just a girl from a tough neighborhood trying to pay off my mother’s medical bills.
Later that evening, after Ethan was put to bed, Victor invited me into his study.
“I did some background checks, Clara,” he said, pouring two glasses of sparkling water. “I know about your mother’s hospital debts.”
I froze. “Mr. Blackwood, I assure you, my financial situation has never affected my work—”
“I paid them off,” he interrupted smoothly.
I stared at him, speechless. “You… what?”
“Consider it a bonus. For saving my son’s life.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. I didn’t know what to say.
May you like
Victor closed the distance between us, gently wiping a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
“You don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone anymore, Clara.”
