Sebastian Knight froze for a moment. Was she serious? If she really didn't want his money, then what was the $28,800 about in the first place? He wasn't one to be cheap, so he kept his tone even. "I don't want anyone knowing you're my wife. But since you're taking care of my daughter, I'll give you a monthly allowance of $3,000."

Layla Jensen perked up the second she heard $3,000 a month. It was tempting — really tempting — but she still shook her head. "There's no need, Mr. Knight. I have a job. I can support myself. I'm already grateful just to have a roof over my head, and looking after Avianna is the least I can do. You don't have to pay me extra."

"Must you be so formal with me? Or do you think I'm that old?" Sebastian frowned, clearly put off. Early thirties, still very much in his prime, and here she was making him sound like some elder.

Layla gave a quick, apologetic nod. "I'm sorry. I'll keep that in mind."

Sebastian pressed on. "Like I said, $3,000 a month. Just keep quiet about our relationship." He started to turn away, then stopped cold. Right. This was the master bedroom — not exactly a place for him to retreat to.

He paused, eyes narrowing as he took in the girl standing there, all shy and uncertain. "Are you willing to take on the responsibilities of being my wife?"

Layla wasn't ready for that one. She looked up at him — way up. The man was huge, had to be over six feet. Her neck craned just to meet his gaze. His question sent heat flooding her cheeks. She dropped her eyes, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, totally struggling to answer.

Seeing her squirm, Sebastian decided not to push it. "If you change your mind later, you can come to this room at night. I'll compensate you then. You can go rest now."

He figured she'd jump at the offer. A woman like her — shallow, willing to do anything for cash. But to his surprise, Layla gave a firm nod and walked out without so much as a backward glance.

Sebastian stood there, confused. Then it clicked. She was playing it cool. It was literally her first day here — of course she had to act all composed so she wouldn't come across as desperate and off-putting. Gotta hand it to her, she was one hell of an actress.

Back in the room Monica had set up for her, Layla let out a long, shaky breath. What was Mr. Knight even talking about? Offering her money to play wife — how was that not just a straight-up transaction? She knew she owed him $28,800. If he hadn't thrown extra cash at her, maybe, just maybe, she would've considered eventually doing those duties. But now? Not a chance. She wasn't the type to sell herself for money.

That night, the unfamiliar surroundings messed with her sleep. Layla tossed and turned, chasing her tail through one nightmare after another, and woke up at the crack of dawn.

Feeling like she ought to earn her keep in someone else's house, she headed down to the kitchen. By the time Sebastian came downstairs, breakfast was already on the table.

When Monica arrived to take care of Avianna, she couldn't help singing Layla's praises to Sebastian. "Mr. Knight, Mrs. Jensen is unreal. She was up at the crack of dawn, busy in the kitchen — I couldn't stop her. She made everything from scratch."

Sebastian studied the girl stepping out of the kitchen with new eyes. He'd pegged her as some money-hungry trophy wife who'd lay around the second she snagged the Mrs. Knight title. Instead, here she was cooking meals. Maybe she was trying to prove him wrong.

But he didn't give Layla any credit. Instead, his face went hard, and he turned to Monica. "If you can't do your job, I'll find someone who can."

Monica panicked, apologizing like crazy. "I'm so sorry, sir. It won't happen again. I swear, I won't let Mrs. Jensen into the kitchen anymore."

Layla, totally confused, rushed to explain. "I wanted to do it. It's not Monica's fault."

Sebastian ignored her, eating with that cold, commanding presence of his. After a beat, he said, his voice low and full of authority, "I believe in doing the work you're paid for. If you want to replace her as housekeeper, I'll accommodate you."

Layla started to explain again, but Monica shot her a pleading look. "Mrs. Jensen, please. I need this job."

Hesitating, Layla finally nodded at Monica. "Alright. I won't take over your duties again."

She untied the apron from her waist and sat down to eat. Monica quickly set a place for her.

After breakfast, Sebastian headed off to the office. Layla and Monica dropped Avianna at preschool, then Layla went straight to the hospital for her shift. She was interning at a private hospital, pulling in about $450 a month. Two months left in her internship, and she was gunning for a full-time spot — better pay, better benefits.

Determined to crush it, Layla poured everything into her work. She got to the nurse's station, threw on her white coat, and started her shift. The head nurse sent her to set up an IV for Bed 18.

Prepped with supplies, Layla headed to the VIP ward. Those beds were strictly for the rich and powerful. She reached Bed 18, double-checked the patient's name, and started prepping for an allergy test and the IV line. The patient smiled at her and asked, "So, you Jacob's girlfriend?"

Startled, Layla looked up. Guy looked early twenties, young and handsome, and vaguely familiar. Seeing her freeze, Mathias Knight laughed. "I'm Jacob's old college roommate. I've seen you around — you went to the med school next door, used to visit Jacob all the time. I'm guessing you're... Layla, right?"

Layla remembered him then. Yeah, her ex's roommate. Back when she'd visit Jacob at Harvard, this guy was always shooting hoops with him.

Thinking about Jacob sent a sharp ache through her chest, but she kept working, steady and focused. "We broke up."

"Oh?" Mathias sounded skeptical, but his smile came quick. "You were right to break up, honestly. Jacob wasn't good enough for you. A girl like you deserves way better."

Layla said nothing, just focused on her task. She and Jacob had been high school sweethearts. He'd chased her, and his family was well-off. Hers? Broke, with parents who doted on her brother and left her to fend for herself. She'd had to work her way through school, telling everyone she was just working instead of continuing her education.

She'd hoped Jacob would step up and help. But every time money came up, he went silent. Like when she brought up the $28,800 bride price — told him she'd marry him if he could get that money, and they'd pay back any loans together. Jacob said no. He broke it off.

They say tough times reveal true love, and Layla finally saw Jacob for what he was. Felt lucky she never gave herself to him during those five years. All of it fell apart over a bride price.

Maybe him never getting what he wanted wore his patience thin. Layla didn't blame Jacob's pragmatism. She blamed her family situation that forced her to keep sacrificing.

After finishing Mathias's IV, Layla was about to leave with the tray when he threw out, "Let's swap info. My leg's gonna be stuck here a while. You can help me out with meals, and I'll tip you for it."

Layla hesitated for a moment before finally pulling out her phone to swap contact info with him. She was flat broke and desperate. After that $28,800 Sebastian had just handed over, she swore to herself she'd save every penny. If he kept his word and didn't lay a finger on her, she'd pay him back and bolt from this marriage as soon as humanly possible.

Work swallowed her whole. The morning flew by in a blur, and before she knew it, lunch break hit. She slumped into a chair in the cafeteria, exhausted. Right then, her phone buzzed. It was Abby, her younger sister who'd just started college. The second Layla answered, Abby's panicked voice came through, crackling with worry.

"Sis, Mom and Dad cut me off—won't give me a dime for food or anything. I can't even afford to eat. Can you spot me some cash?"

Layla's chest clenched. She had two younger sisters and a brother. Abby was nineteen and totally new to university; her other sister Chloe was seventeen and still grinding through high school; her brother Jason was fifteen. Their parents worshipped the ground Jason walked on, typical boy-obsessed mentality. Layla and her sisters got brushed aside to make sure their precious son never felt a second of discomfort. At fifteen, Jason lived like a little king, getting whatever his heart desired—he even had his own apartment bought for him back in middle school, all paid for with Layla's bride price.

Layla's biggest fear was that her sisters would get forced onto the same twisted path she was. She'd drilled it into them to finish their degrees no matter what, promising she'd back them up financially if their parents bailed. Now Abby was calling for help—how the hell could she say no?

She glanced at her phone, checking her balance: a measly $500 left. Without a second thought, she sent every last cent to Abby.

"Here, take this for now. If it's not enough, I'll figure something out."

Abby thanked her and hung up. Layla scarfed down a bland, hurried lunch and rushed back to the nurses' station. A message from Mathias Knight was waiting. He wanted her to bring him lunch—and had already wired over $1,000 for the errand.

Mathias: “Grab me something tasty, with some fruit on the side. Keep the change as a tip.”

At the sight of that cash, Layla's eyes lit up hard. She remembered the hospital had an employee kitchen where staff could cook. So she hustled her butt to a nearby grocery store on her lunch break, grabbed fresh ingredients, and whipped up a meal herself. Mathias had a leg injury—probably from a bike wreck—so Layla made dishes meant to speed up his recovery.

She bolted to his room just before her shift started again, completely breathless.

"I'm so sorry I'm late."

Then she froze. The room wasn't empty. Standing right beside the bed was the man she'd just married—Sebastian Knight. The one who'd made it crystal clear that their marriage had to stay secret. He was decked out in an impeccable suit, his gaze as cold and cutting as ever.

Guilt punched her in the gut. Layla set the food on the bedside table, her voice shaky. "If you need anything else, let me know. I have to get back to work."

She practically ran out of that room, her mind spinning like crazy. Her ex-boyfriend's roommate knew her new husband. And both men shared the Knight surname—could they actually be brothers? Her anxiety skyrocketed. If Mathias slipped and told Sebastian about her past with her ex, Sebastian might demand every penny back immediately. And then she'd be completely screwed.

Even with her mind reeling, Layla forced herself to focus on her duties.

Inside the hospital room, Sebastian's face stayed unreadable. "What's your deal with that nurse? Why'd she bring you food?"

Mathias laughed. "Oh, her? Friend of a friend. She's down on her luck, the kind who'd do anything for a buck."

Sebastian didn't respond, but that description felt like it fit. Still—was she really in a tight spot, or was all this just an act to milk sympathy for cash?

In a cold, flat tone, Sebastian warned, "Stay away from people like her, or you'll end up with nothing."

Mathias chuckled again, shooting Sebastian a look. "But Uncle, you gotta admit she's pretty cute. Even if she was running a con, I wouldn't mind. The Knight family can afford it, right?"

Sebastian's expression darkened. His voice turned razor-sharp. "As soon as you're healed, you're going abroad. Immediately."

After her shift finally ended, Layla rushed to catch the subway back to Starview Estate—the mansion Sebastian called home. Monica had once told her that Sebastian built the whole place for his daughter Avianna, even naming it after her. Layla figured he must love that kid more than anything.

Knowing Sebastian's schedule was insane, she doubted he got much time to help Avianna with schoolwork. So she decided to tutor her after work. But Avianna had been in school all day and was totally over it. She looked up at Layla with huge, pleading eyes.

"Mommy, can we go play outside?"

Layla couldn't stand forcing the child into more studying. She nodded, a soft smile on her lips. "Alright."

But then she remembered Sebastian's earlier warning. Gently, she said, "Sweetie, when we're outside, try not to call me 'Mommy.' Let's keep it as our special word just when we're home, okay?"

If Avianna called her "Mommy" in public and someone connected her to Sebastian, he'd lose it. She couldn't afford to piss off her only lifeline now.

"Why? You're my mommy now. Why can't I say it?" Avianna looked genuinely confused, blinking those bright eyes.

Layla explained as patiently as she could. Avianna still didn't quite get it, but she eventually agreed to call her "Sister" when they were out and about.

The two of them roamed the neighborhood garden, hitting the swings and slides, chasing each other till they were breathless with giggles. For the first time in ages, Layla felt light—genuinely light. She had no idea Sebastian was watching them from a car parked a little ways off.

From the driver's seat, his assistant Thatcher twisted around. "Mr. Knight, should I call Miss Knight and Mrs. Jensen over to give them a ride home?"

Sebastian shook his head firmly. "No. Let them play. I haven't seen my daughter this happy in forever."

He watched Layla, a full-grown married woman, play like a carefree kid. She seemed so damn innocent to him, almost sweet.

The car pulled away. Layla glanced over but didn't think twice about it, too wrapped up in their game of tag. When Avianna finally got tired, she panted, "Sister, I'm thirsty. I want ice cream! Can we get some?"

Worried about Avianna's stomach, Layla gently coaxed, "Let's go home and drink some water. Ice cream's too cold—it might upset your tummy."

Avianna wasn't having it. She had zero understanding of why it was bad, but she was dead set on hitting that self-service store nearby for ice cream. Blowing off Layla's advice, she marched over, grabbed a cone, and served herself like a pro.

Layla knew she didn't have the authority to be overly strict, so she caved. Watching how smoothly Avianna handled the ice cream machine, it was clear she ate this stuff all the time and never had a problem.

Then Avianna did something that caught Layla off guard: the first cone she made, she handed right to Layla, her voice sugary sweet. "Sister, try it—it's so yummy."

Layla didn't refuse. She whipped out her phone, scanned to pay, and they headed home, licking their cones and grinning.

Right before they reached the doorstep, Avianna tugged her to a stop, giggling. "Sister, finish it now! We can't let Daddy see—he'll be super mad."

Layla got it. They both polished off their ice cream outside before stepping in. And sure enough, Sebastian was already home.

Layla walked in with Avianna and greeted him, nerves prickling up her spine. "Mr. Knight, you're back."

Sebastian Knight studied the two before him, feigning ignorance. "Where did you two go?"

"We were playing over there," Avianna answered first, licking her lips, savoring the last trace of ice cream. He noticed she looked off—like she's trying to hold something back.

His expression hardened in an instant. He turned to Layla. "What did you give her?"

Before Layla could even open her mouth, Avianna shakes her head frantically, tears already spilling. "Daddy, don't be mad at her. It was my idea, I swear."

She clutched her stomach and doubles over in pain. They both reach for her, but Sebastian was faster, scooping her up in one swift motion. He barked toward the kitchen, "Monica! Call the family doctor. Now!"

Without so much as a glance at Layla, Sebastian rushes upstairs with Avianna in his arms. Layla is rooted to the spot, totally confused. What the hell just happened? Could a little ice cream really mess up her stomach that bad?

Layla doesn't race up after them. She waited for Monica to hang up the phone before asking, "Monica, is Avianna not allowed to have ice cream?"

Monica looked at her, shocked. "You gave her ice cream? Seriously?"

"Mrs. Jensen, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Miss Knight can't tolerate anything cold. Her stomach was super sensitive. Even a tiny bit can cause a severe reaction—sometimes it's just nausea and throwing up, but it can get really bad..."

Monica sighed, hurrying to make warm coffee and grab her meds to bring upstairs.

Layla felt awful. Guilt crashed over her. How was she supposed to know about Avianna's condition? She's only been here a few days. No wonder the kid wanted to keep the ice cream trip a secret from her dad. Guilt gnawing at her, Layla hurries upstairs after them.

Upstairs, she finds Avianna thrashing on the bed, sobbing, "Daddy, it hurts so bad!"

Sebastian stands there, looking helpless. The moment he spots Layla, he snaps, "What were you thinking? Why would you let her eat that?"

Layla drops her head, shame burning her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Knight."

She rushed to Avianna's side, just as Monica arrived with the warm coffee and meds. Layla carefully gave them to the child, but Avianna was still in agony, clinging to Layla, crying, "Mommy, I won't eat ice cream ever again. Please don't leave me."

"Mommy, it hurts so much," she sobbed, thrashing again, and then suddenly she lurched over and starts vomiting.

The sight broke Layla's heart. She whirled on Sebastian, "Shouldn't we take her to the hospital? Now?"

She was thinking they needed an IV, maybe a full check-up. But Sebastian just ignored her. His voice turned icy. "From now on, don't give her anything she hasn't had before. Avianna is delicate. She can't just be exposed to unknown foods."

Avoiding Layla's gaze, he turned to his daughter with sudden gentleness. "Shh, don't cry, sweetheart. Aunt Winifred's on her way. You'll feel better soon."

Avianna was still so distraught she sank her teeth into her father's shoulder. Sebastian doesn't even flinch; he just lets her.

When he finally looked at Layla and sees her tear-filled eyes, his voice softens just a fraction. "I'll let it slide this time, since you didn't know. Just be more careful."

"Understood," Layla said, her voice barely a whisper. She slipped out of the room to call the head nurse for advice. But before she can dial, a young woman with a medical bag shows up. She gives Layla a quick once-over and then brushes past her into the room without a word.

Layla pocketed her phone, lingering by the door, overhearing them.

"Who's the girl out there?" Winifred asked, nodding toward Layla.

Sebastian clarified, "She's the one who saved Avianna from drowning. The kid likes her, so I asked her to stay."

Winifred nodded, finishing up with a gentle pat on Avianna's head. "No more being greedy, little one. You can't eat things you're not supposed to."

Even through the pain, Avianna nodded into her father's chest, tear-streaked cheeks still shiny as she snuggles closer.

Winifred didn't stick around. She mentioned she had a surgery coming up and left, telling them to call if anything. As she left, she shot Layla a few more curious looks but said nothing, bag in hand.

Layla hovered by the door, catching Sebastian's explanation that she was only here to keep Avianna company. That was fine by her.

Once Winifred was gone, Layla went back to find Avianna asleep, finally resting now that the meds had kicked in. Guilt still weighed on her. Softly, she offered, "Mr. Knight, I'd like to stay with her, if that's okay."

The medicine had done its job; Avianna was already asleep. Sebastian gently tucked her into bed, then gestures for Layla to follow him out.

In his office, Sebastian sat behind his desk, those piercing dark eyes locked on her. The authority radiating off him made Layla feel two inches tall. She twisted her fingers together, breathing unevenly in the heavy silence. Finally, Sebastian's voice cut through, firm and unyielding:

"I entrusted my daughter to you, hoping she'd be happy and carefree."

"Take good care of her, and you'll be rewarded. But if anything like today happens again, I won't be so lenient."

Layla knew she messed up. She nodded quickly, her apologied tumbling out. "I'm so sorry. It's my fault. It won't happen again. I'll take better care of her, I promise."

She needed this money—this place away from her parents—even if it meant being a nanny here.

Sebastian knew it was an honest mistake, given Layla's just moved in. But this was a warning: his daughter was his world, and she deserved the best care. Otherwise, Layla's position as Mrs. Knight could be yanked away in a heartbeat.

"You can go back to Avianna now," he said, dismissing her.

Layla nodded and slipped out, her demure, respectful demeanor making her blend right in with the rest of the household staff in his eyes. To Sebastian, she was just playing a part for the money. He won't let himself feel anything for her, no matter what Mathias says about how she looks. He swore he'll never get attached to someone who only came into his life for cash.