Chapter 4 - The billionaire's bargain
The next morning, Juliet arrived at the estate just as the sun began to rise, painting the sky in bright, cinematic hues of orange and pink. The mansion looked less intimidating in the daylight, but the knot in her stomach remained tight.
Ethan was waiting for her in his grand study. The morning light filtered through the tall windows, perfectly highlighting his sharp features while casting the rest of the room in deep contrast. He looked exhausted, as if he hadn't slept at all.
"Your file says you're a single mother," Ethan said without looking up from his desk. "Two kids. A boy and a girl. And the boy has a severe autoimmune condition."
Juliet froze in the doorway, her hands clutching her white apron. "How do you know that?"
"I made some calls," Ethan replied, finally looking at her. His gaze was softer today, lacking the icy edge from the night before. "You live in a place that isn't safe for a healthy dog, let alone a sick child. You're desperate."
"I am a hard worker, Mr. Bennett," Juliet said firmly, her maternal instincts flaring.
"I'm offering you a deal," Ethan interrupted. "You move in here. Today. The East Wing is empty. Your children will have warm beds, and I will have my private medical team take over your son's care immediately. In exchange, you are on call for me twenty-four hours a day."
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Juliet couldn't breathe. It was everything she had prayed for. "Why would you do that for a caregiver you just met?"
Ethan’s hand instinctively brushed against the collar of his shirt, right where the necklace rested beneath the fabric. "Because, Juliet, I have a feeling you and I have unfinished business."
