Chapter 8: A heart beneath

Renee’s POV

The car eased to a halt in front of the cream-painted bungalow I had bought just last week. A modest home tucked neatly into the quiet neighborhood of Westchester, nothing too flashy, nothing to draw attention. Perfect for what I needed to hide.

I leaned forward in my seat, eyes sliding to the little girl strapped in beside me. Rosie.

She was busy fiddling with the stuffed teddy if just gotten for her, lips moving as though she was humming a tune only she could hear. A faint trace of strawberry ice cream still clung to her chin.

I reached over and brushed my thumb gently across her cheek, cleaning it away. “Hey Rosie, Did you have fun today?”

Her big brown eyes lifted to mine, curious and bright. She nodded so eagerly that her curls bounced. “Yesh!” she chirped, her voice lisping adorably on the s.

I smiled. A real one. “Good. Would you like to go out with me again sometime?”

Rosie’s hands clapped together, her little legs kicking at the seat as excitement bubbled out of her. “Yes, yes! Again, again!”

Her joy tugged at something deep inside me, something I thought had died the night my old life burned away. I swallowed it down and smoothed her hair back with care. “Then it’s a promise. We’ll do more next time. But for now…” I tilted my chin toward the door where her mother stood waiting on the porch, her arms folded loosely, eyes filled with anticipation. “Your mummy’s waiting.”

Rosie turned, saw her, and squealed, “Mama!”

I chuckled softly and unbuckled her seatbelt. “Come on, sweetheart.” I climbed out of the car, opened her door and helped her down. I held her hand as we walked up the short path together.

Her mother, Amara, stepped forward immediately. Her smile was tired but grateful, the kind of smile that belonged to someone who had seen too many struggles but was determined to survive them anyway. “Miss Renee,” she greeted warmly, reaching out to scoop Rosie into her arms.

“Did you have fun, my love?” she asked, kissing the girl’s forehead.

Rosie babbled an excited stream of half-words and laughter, pointing back at me as though recounting every detail of ice cream and playground slides in her own language.

I laughed softly at the sight, the sound surprisingly genuine. “She was an angel. Truly. You have a beautiful little girl, Amara.”

Her eyes glistened a little at the compliment. “Thank you. And thank you for… for all this.” She gestured toward the house, her voice dipping. “I never imagined we’d live somewhere so safe, so peaceful and so exotic. You’ve given us more than I could ever repay.”

I waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t think of it like that. You’ve done your part for me. Consider this my appreciation. Besides…” I let my gaze drift briefly to Rosie, now busy tugging at the hem of her mother’s blouse. “This little one deserves the best.”

For a moment, silence lingered between us.

Amara broke it with a tentative smile. “Would you like to come in? I made seafood pasta earlier. It might not be like those exotic restaurants but…”

I chuckled and shook my head gently, cutting her off, “That’s really kind of you, but I have a full evening ahead. Another time, perhaps.”

Her smile faltered with a hint of disappointment, but she nodded regardless.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice to something deliberate. “Oh, before I forget… I’ll be taking Rosie to a playdate this weekend. I’ll send some nice things for her before then and please do not forget you’re to be identified as Rosie’s Nanny when you take her to school.. I’ve tasked my driver with taking you to and fro everyday. Just stick to the plan please. Do you understand?”

Amara smiled and nodded her head. “Of course. Nanny. I’ll remember.”

“Good.” My tone softened again, reassuring as I touched her arm lightly. “Thanks again for agreeing to do this for me.”

Rosie had started humming again, twisting a small plastic ring on her finger. Innocent. Untouched. Completely oblivious to the storm her presence would soon help me create.

I bent and kissed her curls before stepping back. “Goodnight, Rosie. I’ll see you very soon.”

She waved her tiny hand in response, and I turned away, slipping back into the car.

As soon as I reversed back into the road, I dialed Lydia, and she answered instantly.

“So?” she asked.

“She took the bait,” I murmured with a smile. “Sarah has invited me and Rosie to the playdate this weekend. Everything is falling into place.”

Lydia exhaled, sounding relieved. “Perfect. Shall I begin preparations?”

“Yes. Go shopping for Rosie tomorrow. I want her in her best attire for that day. She needs to steal the show from Clark’s little wimpy daughter..”

“Understood, ma’am.”

I ended the call, tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, and gripped the steering wheel tightly. For a moment I didn't register the route I was taking as my mind kept replaying Rosie's laugh, the way she clapped her tiny hands when I promised her another outing. For a moment.. for a fleeting, dangerous moment… I wished she was mine.

But that hope died as quickly as it came.

The memory of Andrew’s voice filled my head, as sharp and cruel as the day he said it. “Renee, the doctor said as a result of your miscarriage, your uterus lining was scarred. You may not be able to conceive in the near future. I’m really sorry”

The words still pierced like knives. Clark had stolen that from me. Clark and Sarah. Because of them, I would never cradle a child of my own.

My grip tightened on the wheel until my knuckles whitened. Rosie wasn’t mine. No one could ever be. But Clark and Sarah would pay for taking that dream away from me.

By the time I pulled into the estate driveway, my resolve was steel again.

The moment I stepped inside, one of the maids greeted me at the door. “Welcome, Miss Renee.” She reached for my handbag with a bow. “Dinner will be served shortly.”

“Thank you..” she made to leave but I called her back “Kiera?” She turned

“Is Andrew back?” I asked

“Yes ma’am, he’s already home. Should I let him know you’re home?”

“Oh no… it’s fine Thank you,” I said evenly, toeing off my heels as I crossed into the sitting room. My body sagged into the couch, a breath slipping free… only to be cut short by the buzz of my phone.

I picked it up. A familiar, low voice spoke without pleasantries.

“Ma’am.. it’s done… The thing you asked for has been set in motion.”

My chest straightened instantly, softness stripped away. “Good. Keep it clean. No mistakes.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The call ended.

And just as silence settled, another voice came from the doorway, steady and suspicious.

“What are you planning now, Renee?”

I froze only for a second, then slowly turned. Andrew.