First encounter with devil!

Isla's POV

I stared at him, stunned. The words took a moment to sink in. “S-Stay? Here?”

“Yes,” he said, with a look of calm certainty. “You’d have a roof over your head and a warm place to sleep. You could help care for the little one.”

My mind spun with questions, but as I held the baby in my arms, watching him fall asleep with his tiny hand resting against my shoulder, a small part of me dared to hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the chance I so desperately needed.

“Nanny… babysitter?” I repeated slowly, the words strange on my tongue. I looked down at the sleeping child in my arms, his small face peaceful, lips parted in a tiny, contented sigh. The idea felt surreal, almost unbelievable. Could this really be happening?

“Yes,” the man confirmed, his gaze steady but warm. “He needs someone patient, someone who can give him the care and attention he deserves.” His eyes softened as he looked at the child, a hint of vulnerability breaking through his composed exterior. “He’s all I have,” he added quietly.

Something about his words tugged at my heart. This man, with his strong presence and commanding air, suddenly seemed very human. His love for the child in my arms was undeniable.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. “I… I’ll do it. I’ll be his nanny,” I said, the words coming out before I’d even fully processed them. “If you’re really offering, I’d like to stay.”

The man’s face broke into a slight smile, one that transformed his stern features into something unexpectedly kind. “Good,” he said simply. “Then it’s settled.”

He extended a hand to shake mine, formal and courteous. “My name is Mr. Romano. But you may call me Lucien.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ro—I mean, Lucien,” I replied, barely believing what was happening.

One of the men in black suits stepped forward. “Shall we prepare a room for Miss Isla, sir?” he asked.

“Yes, and see that she has everything she might need,” Lucien responded, his voice regaining its authoritative edge as he gave a slight nod to the man, who disappeared swiftly down the hall.

I watched as the suited men dispersed, but a few lingered by the door. Bodyguards, I realized, observing their vigilant postures. Just who was Mr. Romano? And why did he seem to need so much security?

Lucien must have noticed my look because he gave me an understanding nod. “You’ll be safe here,” he said calmly. “I’ll see to it personally.”

I nodded, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you. Really, I… I didn’t know where I’d go,” I admitted quietly, feeling a new wave of relief wash over me.

Lucien glanced at the child, who was now sleeping soundly in my arms, his tiny fingers wrapped around mine. “He’s a good judge of character,” Lucien said, a hint of pride in his voice. “He seems to trust you already.”

Looking down at the little one, I felt a spark of something I hadn’t felt in a long time—a sense of purpose, however small. And for the first time since my parents passed, I felt like I was no longer completely alone.

This wasn’t the life I’d imagined, and I had no idea what tomorrow would bring. But for tonight, I had shelter, a purpose, and a small, sleeping child whose presence reminded me of the goodness that still existed in the world.

The night was quiet, the soft glow of a small lamp casting a gentle warmth over the nursery. It was beautifully furnished, with walls painted a soothing pastel blue and shelves lined with plush toys. The crib was beside me, but tonight, I’d been asked to stay close, so the little one lay curled up next to me on the plush bed.

After his bottle, he’d drifted to sleep almost immediately, his tiny breaths steady and peaceful. I watched him with a smile, feeling a deep calm I hadn’t known in a long time. There was something so pure about a sleeping child, something that made all the noise and fear of the world fade away.

He looked so serene, his dark lashes resting against his round cheeks. A few curls fell across his forehead, and I brushed them away gently, my touch as light as a feather, not wanting to wake him. I could hardly believe how quickly I’d become attached to this little one. Just holding him made the loneliness I’d carried for so long melt away.

I glanced around the nursery, still taking in the details. The soft hum of the air conditioning, the faint scent of baby powder—it all felt so… safe.

“Looks like it’s just you and me, little one,” I whispered, smiling down at him. “Guess we’re both lucky to have found each other.”

My eyelids grew heavier as I lay beside him, listening to the comforting rhythm of his breathing. The warmth of his little body and the quiet peace of the room began to lull me, and despite my efforts to stay awake, my eyes started to close.

Just for a moment, I thought, feeling the exhaustion of the past few days finally catch up with me.

Within minutes, I slipped into a deep sleep, my hand resting protectively near the baby, his soft breathing the last sound I heard as the darkness wrapped around me.

Days turned into weeks, and I’d grown deeply attached to the baby. He was sweet, with a constant curiosity and gentle giggles that brought warmth to my otherwise broken heart. Each day, caring for him gave me purpose, and every night, I found myself sleeping peacefully, knowing he was safe by my side.

But tonight, that peace shattered in an instant.

I was sound asleep when I felt something—a presence next to me, a firm hand resting on my stomach. My eyes snapped open, and I screamed, the sound piercing the silence. In the dim glow of the nightlight, I saw a tall figure looming over me, his face hidden in the shadows.

Before I could fully process what was happening, he threw me off the bed, and I crashed onto the floor with a painful thud. “Ouch!” I winced, clutching my side.

The room flooded with harsh light as he switched on the lamp, and that’s when I saw him. He was terrifyingly handsome, with a chiseled jaw, dark hair, and eyes blazing with fury that sent a chill through my spine. His expression was cold and dangerous, his gaze locked on me like a predator’s.

“Who the hell are you?” he demanded, his voice like a knife’s edge. In his hand, he held a gun, and it was pointed directly at my forehead.

I froze, unable to even breathe, my heart pounding in my chest as I stared at the gun, fear paralyzing me. His glare was relentless, and I could see the fierce anger simmering beneath his cold exterior.

“Answer me!” he shouted, his tone dripping with impatience and fury. “How did you get into my room? And how did you even get into my mansion?”

I tried to speak, but no words came out. My mouth opened, but my voice failed me. My mind was blank with terror.

“Are you deaf?” he barked, grabbing my arm in a painfully tight grip, his fingers digging into my skin. “Who let you in here? Speak!”

I gasped, the pain snapping me back to reality. “Please,” I managed to whisper, wincing as his grip tightened. “Let me explain…”

But he was having none of it. With one fierce motion, he yanked me up and dragged me toward the door. I stumbled, barely managing to keep my balance as he hauled me out of the nursery and down the hallway, his grip unyielding. I could feel the bruises forming on my arm, but he didn’t care.

He flung me toward the entrance, where two of his men were already waiting, watching the scene unfold with tense expressions.

“Get her out of here,” he snarled, his voice filled with disgust. “And throw her things out, too.”

“No, please!” I cried, the desperation clear in my voice. “Mr. Romano… he hired me to look after the baby! I’m the nanny!”

He stopped, his cold eyes narrowing as he regarded me with even more contempt. “My father hired you?” he asked, a sneer twisting his handsome features. “And you think that gives you the right to invade my house?”

“I-I didn’t know,” I stammered, tears streaming down my face. “Mr. Romano never told me—”

“I don’t care what my father told you,” he interrupted harshly. “I have rules, and the first one is no women in my mansion.”

He turned to his men, his gaze dark and unyielding. “Make sure she’s gone by sunrise,” he ordered coldly. “And don’t let me see her again.”

One of the guards tried to speak up, perhaps to explain, but a sharp glare from him silenced any protest. The guards hurried to obey, grabbing my few belongings and tossing them unceremoniously onto the driveway.

My legs buckled, and I sank to the ground, sobbing as they dumped my suitcase next to me. I was alone again, abandoned on the cold, empty driveway with nothing but the sound of my own heartbreak echoing in the night.

The mansion doors closed behind him, sealing me out without a second thought. The wind whipped around me, chilling me to the bone, as the reality of my situation settled in. Mr. Romano was gone, and there was no one left to help me, no one to explain to his cold-hearted son that I wasn’t here by choice.

I hugged my knees, shivering, my heart aching from the harshness of his words. I’d done nothing wrong. I’d only cared for the baby, and somehow, I’d become the enemy in his eyes.

But as I sat there in the dark, I knew one thing for certain: this wasn’t over.