"Your daughter?"
Lily nodded.
"She was three years old when she died."
"I'm sorry."
"She had a heart condition. We knew she was sick, but we didn't know how quickly things would get worse."
Her voice trembled.
"I spent almost every night beside her hospital bed. I sang to her whenever she was frightened. I promised her that she would get better."
Lily wiped her eyes.
"But one morning, she didn't wake up."
Adrian remained silent.
He had never experienced that kind of loss, but he understood enough to know that no words could repair it.
"After Sophie died, I couldn't work at the clinic anymore. Every baby reminded me of her."
She placed the photograph back into her handbag.
"That's why I left."
Adrian looked at her with new understanding.
"Does holding Emily remind you of Sophie?"
"Sometimes."
"Then why did you agree to come here?"
Lily looked at the sleeping baby.
"Because Emily deserves someone who will love her without expecting anything in return."
Adrian felt his throat tighten.
"Thank you."
Lily stood up.
"I should go."
As she passed him, Adrian noticed something.
A small silver bracelet around her wrist.
It had a tiny engraved heart.
"That's beautiful," he said.
Lily looked down.
"My daughter gave it to me."
Adrian nodded.
"Then it's priceless."
For a moment, their eyes met.
Something passed between them.
Something neither was ready to name.
But the following morning, Lily discovered that someone had entered her room during the night.
Her handbag was open.
Her belongings had been scattered across the bed.
And the photograph of Sophie was missing.
On the pillow lay a small white envelope.
Inside was a handwritten message.
You should leave this house before you become attached to something that doesn't belong to you.
Lily stared at the note.
She immediately recognized the handwriting.
It belonged to Victoria.
Lily did not tell Adrian about the message.
She placed it inside her handbag and went downstairs as usual.
She had no desire to create trouble during her first week of employment.
But she knew one thing.
Victoria did not want her there.
And Lily was beginning to understand that the woman was more dangerous than she appeared.
At breakfast, Victoria sat across from Adrian, elegantly dressed in a pale blue suit.
"Good morning," Lily said politely.
Victoria didn't respond.
Instead, she looked at Emily.
"She seems much happier lately."
Adrian smiled.
"She is."
"All thanks to your new employee, I suppose."
"Yes."
Victoria placed her coffee cup down.
"Don't you think it's rather unusual that a hotel housekeeper has become so important to your family?"
Adrian looked at her.
"She's good with Emily."
"That isn't what I mean."
"What do you mean, Victoria?"
She smiled.
"Nothing. I simply hope you're being careful."
Lily lowered her eyes.
She had heard enough.
After breakfast, Adrian asked Lily to join him in his study.
"I've been considering something," he said.
"Yes, sir?"
"I don't want you working only as a caregiver."
Lily frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I'd like you to become Emily's private nursery supervisor. You would oversee her daily routine, coordinate with her doctors, and manage the nursery staff."
Lily looked surprised.
"That's a very important position."
"You're capable of handling it."
"But I don't have the qualifications of a professional nanny."
"You have experience, patience, and something that cannot be taught."
"What is that?"
Adrian smiled faintly.
"Emily trusts you."
Lily looked down.
"Thank you, but I don't want to take a position away from someone more qualified."
"No one is losing their job. I'm expanding the team."
He placed a folder on the desk.
The salary listed inside was more than Lily had ever imagined earning.
Her eyes widened.
"Mr. Sterling, this is too much."
"You're responsible for the most important person in my life. I think the compensation is fair."
Lily hesitated.
Then she noticed another document.
It was a proposal for a small apartment near the mansion.
"You've arranged accommodation too?"
"Only if you want it. I thought you might appreciate having your own space."
Lily looked at him carefully.
"Why are you doing all this?"
Adrian was quiet for a moment.
"Because I know what it feels like to have everything and still feel that something is missing."
His expression darkened.
"After Catherine died, this house became unbearable. Every room reminded me of her. I buried myself in work because it was easier than accepting that I couldn't bring her back."
He looked toward the nursery.
"Then Emily was born, and I realized I couldn't spend my life grieving. I had to be there for her."
Lily listened quietly.
"Sometimes," she said, "people don't need someone to fix their pain. They just need someone willing to sit beside them while they learn to live with it."
Adrian stared at her.
For the first time, he felt that someone truly understood him.
"Perhaps that's what I've needed."
Lily looked away.
"Perhaps."
That afternoon, Emily developed a mild fever.
The pediatrician assured Adrian that it was likely a common infection, but he became extremely anxious.
He refused to leave the nursery.
Lily stayed beside the baby, gently wiping her forehead with a cool cloth.
"She's going to be all right," she reassured him.
Adrian sat beside the crib.
"I promised Catherine I'd protect her."
"And you are protecting her."
"What if I fail?"
Lily placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"You don't have to be perfect to be a good father."
He looked at her.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
Then Emily stirred.
Lily immediately turned toward the crib.
The baby opened her eyes and reached for her.
Adrian watched them.
A strange warmth spread through his chest.