It had only been three days since Emily had landed a job in the mansion of Adrian Cole, one of the most powerful real estate moguls in the country. A man known for his brilliance, his cold nature, and his absolute intolerance for noise.
Emily was twenty-six. Ava was eight months old. The neighbor who used to watch her back in their small apartment had fallen sick, and Emily had no one else. Her bank account held exactly forty-two dollars.
Suddenly, the bedroom doors flew open.
Victoria, Adrian’s wealthy and sharp-tongued fiancée, stormed out, her face twisted with anger.
“Get that screaming thing out of my house right now!” she snapped. “Call security! Fire her immediately!”
Before Emily could even form a plea, the slow, measured sound of footsteps echoed from the grand staircase.
Silence fell instantly.
Adrian Cole had arrived.
Tall, composed, and imposing, his presence alone seemed to still the air.
“What is going on here?” he asked quietly, though there was something dangerous beneath the calm.
He ignored Victoria completely and walked straight toward Emily. The baby was still crying.
“Give her to me,” he said, holding out his arms.