Avianna was absolutely thrilled to see Layla waiting for her after school. As they walked home, the little girl buzzed with energy and managed to coax Layla into the garden for a game of hide-and-seek.

That day, Layla decided against going to the hospital. She got a text from Mathias Knight asking her to bring him dinner. Since Mathias was Sebastian's nephew, Layla was wary of taking any more money from him, so she politely declined.

"I didn't work today, but I'll bring you food some other time—no need to pay me," she texted back. Though she was in dire need of cash, Layla was determined to save up enough for driving lessons. She couldn't exactly explain where the extra money came from if Sebastian ever asked. Taking handouts from his nephew? That would only complicate things.

When Mathias didn't reply, she didn't sweat it. She just tucked her phone away and focused on Avianna. At some point, the little girl found a scarf and thrust it into Layla's hands.

"Mommy, can you cover your eyes with this and try to find me?" Avianna asked eagerly.

Layla took the scarf, frowning. "Where did you get this? It's your daddy's, isn't it? We shouldn't be playing with his stuff."

Avianna shook her head hard, her big innocent eyes wide. "It's one he doesn't use. He said I could play with it. You have to cover your eyes, or it'll be too easy to find me!"

Layla sighed but made sure the garden gate was locked tight so Avianna couldn't dart outside. Once satisfied, she gave in. "Alright. I'll put this on and find you. But stay close, okay? I need to be able to actually catch you."

"Yay!" Avianna clapped her hands, bouncing with excitement.

The second Layla tied the scarf over her eyes, little giggles exploded around her as Avianna darted back and forth. "Mommy, over here!" and "You can't catch me!" taunted the tiny voice.

With the world gone dark, Layla chased the sound, hands outstretched, stumbling every few steps.

That's when Sebastian got home. As his car pulled into the driveway, he spotted Layla playing hide-and-seek with his daughter. He signaled the driver to stop, not wanting to break the spell of the moment.

From inside the car, he watched, captivated. A young woman, early twenties, blindfolded, playing with his five-year-old daughter, who was bouncing around, laughing like she didn't have a care in the world. They looked so carefree, so innocent, so... alive.

Sebastian couldn't ignore the transformation. This was the same little girl who once found it hard to even crack a smile. Dr. Webb had warned him that Avianna showed signs of mild autism. But the child he was watching now? She was just like any other bubbly five-year-old. She'd been starving for a mother's tender love.

For that, he was grateful to Layla. Without her, he would've never seen Avianna's smiles this pure, this joyful.

Not wanting to disturb the sweet moment between Layla and his daughter, Sebastian slipped out of the car, planning to sneak inside unnoticed.

But then Avianna darted right toward him, ducking behind his legs and calling out, "Mommy, I'm right here! What's taking you so long? Come get me, I promise I won't run!"

Sure that Avianna was right there, Layla lunged toward the voice, her hands clamping onto someone as she laughed in victory. "Gotcha! Now where do you think you're going?"

She yanked off the scarf—and her triumphant grin froze into sheer shock. She hadn't caught Avianna. Her hands had landed on Sebastian's... butt.

Heat flooded Layla's face. She jerked her hands away as if burned, stumbling backward. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Mr. Knight! I didn't mean to—I wasn't trying to—"

Awkwardness crashed over Sebastian in a wave. Her hand had been right on his most private area. Warmth rushed to his head, his body going rigid, suddenly way too hot. His ears burned like they were on fire.

But, holding himself together, he straightened up and said, coolly, "Carry on with your game," then strode into the house without another word.

Nearby, Avianna giggled. "Mommy, you didn't catch me! You grabbed Daddy's butt instead!"

Layla let out a breath. That mischievous little giggle—was this kid doing it on purpose? Why else would she lead her straight to grab... there?

But even through the embarrassment, Layla couldn't shake the feel of it—firm, with a surprising bounce. Oh God. She lightly slapped her own cheek. Stop it. No thinking about Mr. Knight like that.

He was her husband, sure, but there was zero affection between them. She didn't plan on sticking around forever, and she definitely wasn't having his babies. Her plan was simple: make enough to pay off her debt and get out. With that resolve, she grabbed Avianna's hand. "Okay, playtime's over. Let's go wash up for dinner."

Avianna obeyed and followed her inside.

Meanwhile, Sebastian stood under the shower spray, letting the water beat down on him, but his mind kept replaying the feel of Layla's hand on his—

He cursed under his breath. What was he, some desperate teenager, getting this worked up over a single touch? Was it his age catching up to him, making him crave a woman? But no. His wife was vain and manipulative. If he gave in to this lust, he'd be the one losing. It would only make her life easier.

He steeled himself. No matter how badly he might want a woman, he wasn't going to be ruled by his dick. She'd have to come to him willingly. And even then, he'd stay in control, even if it meant paying her off.

That evening, Layla and Avianna sat in the dining room, waiting for Sebastian. As the food cooled, Layla decided to call him down, hoping to save Monica the trouble of reheating everything.

She stood at the master bedroom door and knocked. "Mr. Knight, it's time for dinner."

He'd just finished his shower and gotten dressed, but he still felt overheated, on edge. When he opened the door and saw Layla's natural, stunning face, a flash of unwanted desire hit him. He shoved it back down, face blank.

"Let's go," he said, walking past her, his abs tensing involuntarily as if bracing for another "accident."

"Walk ahead of me," he ordered, a little paranoid.

Confused, Layla did as she was told but couldn't help asking, "Mr. Knight, are you okay? Your face looks a little flushed."

His expression darkened, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his eyes. He schooled his features and replied coolly, "I'm fine. Just mind your own business."

Layla noticed Sebastian was in a mood again. She was starting to realize this older man had a pretty unpredictable temperament. Looked like she'd need to walk on eggshells around him, staying out of things that weren't her business.

Over dinner, her curiosity got the best of her, and she glanced at Sebastian. "Mr. Knight, did you pull some strings to get me that schedule at the hospital?"

If her husband hadn't had a hand in it, she couldn't wrap her head around why the hospital would give her such a sweet deal. Before, her job was brutal—constant overtime. Nobody there clocked in at nine and out by four. If Sebastian really did this, Layla figured she should say a proper thank-you.

Sebastian shot her a look, neither confirming nor denying. "I won't make you quit. If you've got free time, spend it with Avianna. The three grand I promised each month is still yours, every cent."

Layla's eyes lit up. He was like the dream husband—making sure her schedule was a breeze while paying her good money to hang out with his kid. Especially since she didn't have to lift a finger around the house. In that moment, she realized she was hitting the jackpot in this setup.

Suppressing her delight, Layla quickly said, "Thanks. I'll make sure every free minute goes to Avianna."

Sebastian didn't answer, just focused on his dinner with refined grace. All excited, Layla eagerly used the serving spoons to pile food onto his plate. "This is so good. You've gotta try it."

Sebastian, not used to this, frowned. "If you like it, eat it yourself. Don't put it on my plate." He disdainfully moved the food onto a side plate, leaving Layla feeling hella awkward.

Thankfully, Avianna swooped in to save the moment. "Mommy, gimme! I wanna try."

Layla happily obliged, putting the food on Avianna's plate. "Eat up, Avianna. It'll help you grow big and strong."

The little girl nodded eagerly, cheeks puffed, and gave her dad a reproachful look. "Daddy, Mommy's just being nice to you. You're so ungrateful."

Sebastian looked at his daughter, too tired to argue. What did she know? His young wife's intentions were as clear as day—she was just trying to earn brownie points. He was older, not clueless. His daughter wouldn't get it.

Grateful for the save, Layla quickly switched topics to Avianna. "Let's finish dinner, and then we can play hide-and-seek again, okay?"

Avianna didn't follow her train of thought. She sat there, bright eyes sparkling with innocent curiosity. "Mommy, why do other mommies and daddies hug and kiss every day, but you and Daddy don't? Don't you love each other?"

The questions caught Layla off guard for a second. She felt super awkward, glancing at the man across from her.

Sebastian's face went stone-cold as he spoke to his daughter more sharply than usual. "Stop thinking about stuff like that. Eat your dinner and then go study."

The little girl pursed her lips, giving her dad a reproachful look before looking down, pouting.

Layla was at a loss for words. After all, she and Sebastian didn't love each other. They weren't even into each other. Their time together was short—there was no chance for the kind of affection normal couples have. Layla just hoped to keep this civil until she'd saved up enough cash.

After dinner, Layla helped Avianna with her reading and writing. That night, when Avianna asked her to sleep with her, Layla got the okay from Sebastian and joined her.

The next day, Layla took Avianna to preschool before heading to work. Back at the hospital, she noticed her coworkers shooting her looks and whispering among themselves.

Unable to hold back their curiosity, one asked, "Layla, do you know someone higher up?"

If she didn't have a connection, how else could they explain her cushy schedule? Everyone else pulled eight to six, but she was the only one starting at nine and leaving at four.

Layla wasn't sure how to explain it was her practically-a-stranger husband's doing, so she just smiled, dodged the question, and headed to the patient rooms with her supplies for meds and IVs.

In Mathias Knight's room, Layla walked in to find a bunch of handsome guys in their twenties, including her ex, Ryan.

Playing dumb, she held her breath and focused on her tasks at Mathias's bedside.

The group was shocked to see her. One of them blurted, "Whoa, Ryan, ain't that your girlfriend?"

"She's a nurse here?"

"Ryan, why's she ignoring you?"

Ryan was lounging on the sofa by the window, casually dressed in a white button-down and slacks, his hair neat and clean-cut. Seeing his ex of one month was no surprise—he knew Layla worked here. But he wasn't visiting her; he was there for his injured buddy.

"They broke up," Mathias announced from his bed, raising his voice to clue everyone in. "Nurse Layla is single, and Ryan's already got a new girl. Didn't you guys know?"

The guys exchanged blank looks, turning to Ryan, clearly out of the loop. "I saw Ryan with Layla just last month. How'd they break up?"

One of them pressed, "Five years together and you're really done?"

Ryan stayed silent, eyes glued to Layla as she worked. When Mathias brought up Ryan's new relationship, Layla felt a stab in her chest. Pulling herself together, she quickly finished up and said to Mathias, "Rest up. If you need anything, just holler."

With that, she hightailed it out of there, almost running.

Ryan jumped up to follow, leaving the others dying to eavesdrop on the drama.

Layla hadn't gotten far when Ryan caught up to her. "Layla, I didn't jump into anything right away. I wasn't with her until after we broke up."

Layla couldn't figure out why Ryan bothered explaining. She'd hit him up a month ago, asking for $28,800. The second she brought it up, Ryan called it quits.

Layla accepted their differences and didn't push. Keeping her cool, she met his eyes with a smile. "We're not together anymore. Whoever you're with now is none of my business. You don't need to explain."

A surge of guilt hit Ryan like a punch to the gut as he recognized his own cowardice.

Curious about Layla’s situation, he asked, “Did you get everything sorted out? Were you able to scrape the money together?”

Layla forced a smile, fighting to keep her composure. “Yeah, I managed to pull it together. I need to get back to work now.”

As she turned to walk away, a sharp, cutting voice sliced through the air.

“Ryan, what’s going on over here?” Margo Powell sauntered up, slipping her arm through Ryan’s and throwing Layla a stare full of challenge.

“Layla, you and Ryan broke up. Can’t you show a little dignity? He’s my boyfriend now.”

Layla was completely blindsided. She stared at Ryan, reeling. Just a moment ago, he’d told her they weren’t an item, and yet here he was with someone else. Making it ten times worse, that someone was her college roommate.

Margo had always flaunted her money and looked down her nose at everyone. Seeing Ryan just stand there, not denying Margo or even trying to pull his arm away, made Layla’s stomach churn, like she’d swallowed something rotten.

It hit her—Ryan must have been cheating on her while they were supposedly still together. Tears welled up in Layla’s eyes. She spun to leave, only to walk straight into a cluster of sharply dressed men coming down the hallway. And there, right in the middle, was her husband, Sebastian.

In that instant, Layla felt like she was floating outside her own body, unable to wrap her head around why everything was crashing down on her all at once—on this day, of all days. She watched Sebastian, flanked by the hospital director and other staff, and quickly pressed herself against the wall to let them pass without a word.

Ryan, seeing Layla on the brink of tears, felt a twinge of pity. He hastily shook off Margo’s arm and started to follow her.

Margo shot Layla a frosty glare before plastering on a bright smile for Sebastian as he approached. “Uncle! What a surprise seeing you here!”

Sebastian’s face stayed hard, an icy aura radiating off him. As he walked by Layla, he noticed Ryan starting to move toward her and inwardly scoffed. What a faithless woman. Married, and still no self-control. If she wasn’t getting tangled up with Mathias, she was with someone else.

He didn’t spare Layla another glance. Instead, he fixed Margo with a stern look. “If you’re here to work, then focus on your job. Any trouble, and you’re out immediately.” His words were clearly meant for Layla, too, even though she refused to meet his eyes as he strode down the corridor with the board members for their inspection.

Margo was truly cowed by her uncle. She quickly promised, “I will, Uncle. I’ll do my best.”

Once her uncle had disappeared with the hospital board, Margo turned back, pulling Ryan closer. With a smug look at Layla, she taunted, “See that? My uncle is the majority shareholder in this hospital. I’d watch my step if I were you.”

Layla stood there in a daze, still trying to process the shock. So Ryan’s betrayal was because of Margo’s family connections? She’d never imagined her own husband was Margo’s uncle. The thought of having to work alongside Margo every day filled her with a heavy dread.

She couldn’t stand to breathe the same air as them for one more second. Head down, she walked away.

Unwilling to let it slide, Margo yelled after her, “Layla, know your place! If you try to get close to Ryan again, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in this hospital.”

Ryan watched Layla’s retreating figure, a hollow sense of loss settling over him, but he didn’t stop her. After all, aligning himself with Margo meant he’d locked in an internship at Sebastian’s company—his future was looking bright.

What good would staying with Layla do? Her family, drowning in debt, would drain anyone dry. Marrying her would be nothing but a never-ending nightmare of obligations.

Back at the nurse’s station, Layla tried to focus on prepping medication, but the gnawing ache in her chest just wouldn’t quit. She kept telling herself it was fine; things with Ryan were truly over. She was technically Margo’s aunt by marriage now, even if no one would ever know about her sham of a marriage.

As long as Layla focused on doing her best for Avianna, Sebastian would still support her and provide a decent life. Why waste a single emotion on people who didn’t matter?

With fresh determination, she threw herself back into work, ignoring Margo, who’d changed into a white coat and joined the nurse’s station. The head nurse, fully aware of Margo’s family pull, treated her with noticeable deference.

By four o’clock, Layla clocked out, ready to pick up Avianna from preschool. Margo watched her take off her uniform, sneering, “Leaving early, Layla? Must be nice.”

Ignoring Margo completely, Layla headed out, which only made Margo’s voice rise with frustration. “Who do you think you are? This is my uncle’s hospital. I’ll have you fired, just wait!”

Layla paid no attention, stepping into the elevator as Margo seethed and turned on the head nurse. “Why does Layla get to leave early? How can you let her pull this?”

The head nurse, looking helpless, replied, “Orders came from higher-ups. There’s nothing we can do.”

Margo couldn’t believe it. With her uncle as the hospital’s biggest shareholder, which higher-up had Layla sweet-talked to earn such special treatment? Next time she saw her uncle, she swore to expose Layla and wreck her career.

When Layla picked up Avianna from preschool, she was quiet and distant the whole ride home. Avianna, noticing her mom’s red-rimmed eyes, asked with soft concern, “Mommy, why do you look so sad?”

Layla forced a smile. “I’m fine, sweetie. Just seeing you makes everything better.”

Avianna hugged her, snuggling closer. “Mommy, you can tell me if something’s wrong. My teacher says talking about it helps.”

Layla wrapped her arms around Avianna, not even knowing where to start. She wasn’t really sad—she’d finally found closure for that five-year relationship, put a period at the end of it. She owed Ryan nothing now. If they crossed paths again, they’d be nothing but strangers.

Just as they neared their little house in the countryside, Layla’s phone rang. It was her younger sister, Olivia Davis.

“Olivia, what’s going on?” Layla asked.

On the other end, Olivia’s voice trembled, thick with sobs. “Sis, Mom and Dad are making me come home for an arranged marriage. They already took fifty-eight thousand dollars as a bride price. I don’t want to marry him. They said they’d drag me home even if it’s kicking and screaming.”

Silence fell over Layla, a searing pain wrenched at her heart. Her nose prickled, her eyes stinging like they were full of sand. She couldn’t wrap her mind around how parents could be so heartless. She’d been forced into marriage at twenty-two, but Olivia was only nineteen and had earned a scholarship to study music at university. And here was their greedy family, ready to snatch it all away.

“Olivia... Mom and Dad said you got married and they got twenty-eight thousand eight hundred as your bride price—is that true?” Olivia asked between sobs.