Chapter Two – Secrets Behind Her Smile
The next morning came with soft rain tapping against the windows. Jane woke up early, dressed quietly, and tied her hair into a neat bun. Her heart still felt heavy from yesterday. Carlo's words, his sharp eyes, and the strange way he said she looked familiar… it all kept replaying in her head.
She couldn't afford to make a mistake.
She had one job—to take care of Danny, earn her salary, and send money home to her sick mother. Nothing more. No attention. No risks. And definitely no getting close to the man who owned the house.
As she stepped into Danny's room, she found him still under the blanket.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said with a gentle smile.
Danny peeked from under the covers. "Is it school today?"
Jane laughed softly. "Yes, it is. Come on, let's get ready."
Danny sat up slowly. "Will Daddy drop me off today?"
Jane froze.
"I don't know," she said quietly. "Maybe."
"He never does," Danny mumbled. "He's always too busy."
Jane's heart broke a little. Danny was such a sweet boy. Smart, playful, full of questions. He deserved more than a father who barely had time for him.
But she didn't say that out loud. She wasn't here to judge anyone.
After breakfast, Mrs. Steele called Jane aside in the hallway.
"Thank you for everything, dear," the old woman said kindly. "Danny is happy around you. I can see it."
Jane smiled. "He's a good boy, ma'am."
Mrs. Steele touched her shoulder gently. "I know my son can be... hard to understand. But I hope you won't let that scare you. Carlo has a past. He's just... protecting himself."
Jane nodded, even though her heart was asking questions. What kind of past made a man so cold?
She didn't have time to wonder for long.
Later that afternoon, she was carrying Danny's laundry when she heard voices coming from the study.
"…I don't trust her," Carlo's voice said firmly.
Jane stopped in her tracks.
"You're overthinking," Mrs. Steele replied calmly. "She's just a girl trying to earn a living."
"You said she has no records. No family nearby. And I'm supposed to let her stay in my house?" Carlo's voice grew colder. "Something's off."
Jane held her breath.
She was right.
He didn't trust her.
She quietly turned and walked away, heart pounding. He was already suspicious. If he found out who she truly was, everything would fall apart.
She rushed back to her room and sat on her bed. Her hands shook as she pulled out the small photograph she kept hidden in her Bible.
A young woman. A baby. A man.
Her mother. Herself. And… him.
Carlo Steele.
He didn't remember. He couldn't.
But Jane never forgot.
He was the reason her mother almost died. The reason her family broke.
She had come here for a reason.
To find out the truth. To see him face-to-face. To get answers.
But now, her heart was getting in the way. Danny was innocent. Mrs. Steele was kind. And Carlo… he wasn't exactly the monster she expected.
She put the photo back and closed her eyes.
"Focus," she whispered. "Don't fall for him. Don't feel anything."
But it was already too late.
That evening, as the rain poured heavier, Jane walked into the library to return some books Danny had scattered. She didn't expect to find anyone there.
But there he was.
Carlo.
Alone. Sitting on the leather couch. A glass of wine in his hand. His eyes stared into the fire as if he were trying to burn away something inside him.
Jane turned to leave quickly.
"Stop," he said without looking up.
Her feet froze.
"Come here," he added.
Slowly, she turned and walked over. Her heart beat wildly.
"You work quietly," he said after a long pause. "Too quietly."
"I don't like trouble," she replied honestly.
He looked up at her then. His eyes were tired, but searching. "Where are you from?"
"South Carolina," she said softly.
"No father?"
She hesitated. "No, sir."
"Figures."
She frowned. "Excuse me?"
Carlo stood up and walked closer. "You walk like someone hiding something. Your eyes—too calm. Your words—too careful. What are you not saying?"
Jane took a step back. "Nothing, sir. I'm just doing my job."
He stopped in front of her.
"Are you scared of me?" he asked.
Jane looked into his eyes. "Should I be?"
For the first time, something flickered in his expression. Shock? Amusement?
"You're brave," he said. "But bravery can be dangerous."
"And being cold can be lonely," Jane replied before she could stop herself.
Silence.
Then Carlo laughed. Just once. It was low, dry, but real.
"No one talks to me like that."
"I guess I'm no one, sir."
She turned and walked away, her legs shaking beneath her.
What was she doing?
She had just talked back to a billionaire.
A man who could fire her with one word.
But she couldn't help it. Something about him made her forget she was supposed to be invisible.
She returned to her room and stared at her reflection.
"Control yourself," she whispered. "Remember why you're here."
Then her phone buzzed.
A message.
From an unknown number.
**"He doesn't know yet. But he will. Soon."**
Jane's heart stopped.
She didn't recognize the number. But the message was clear.
Someone knew her secret.
Someone was watching.
And her time was running out.