Chapter 2
Sally "accidentally" kicked the old photo frame sitting by my feet.
The glass shattered all over the floor.
That was the only family photo I had, and the only thing I cherished from the past few years.
In the photo, Jacob was holding Leo, who was just a month old, with a goofy smile plastered all over his face.
Jacob was about to bend down and pick it up.
But Sally suddenly grabbed her foot and cried out, "Ow! Something poked me!"
Jacob froze mid-movement, then rushed to support her, worry written all over his face. "Are you okay? Let me see."
I stood there, staring at the shards on the floor, feeling like my whole past had just shattered right in front of me.
I didn't get angry, and I didn't cry.
If it had been the old Claire, I would've slapped her across the face without a second thought.
But now, I was just a nanny earning 65 hundred dollars a month.
A nanny couldn't lose her temper with her employer's guests.
I quietly grabbed the broom and dustpan, sweeping up the broken glass bit by bit.
I even looked up, feigning concern, and asked, "Ms. Peggy, did you break a bone? Do you need me to call 911 for you?"
Jacob looked at my calm face, his eyes filled with confusion and annoyance.
"Claire, when did you become so..." he started.
He wanted to call me "spineless," but seeing my meek expression, he just couldn't get the word out.
At dinner, Jacob slammed his fork down, just to pick a fight.
"Seriously, this fish is so bland. How am I supposed to eat this?" he complained.
But honestly, I'd put in plenty of seasoning, just the way he used to like it best.
I immediately set down my bowl, grabbed my phone, opened the notes app, and started typing while reading it out loud.
"Mr. Grant prefers stronger flavors now. Got it. Ms. Peggy likes spicy food, so I'll spice things up for her next time.
"Anything else you want me to note, Mr. Grant?" I asked.
Jacob looked like he'd just punched a pillow, his face stormy with frustration, unable to vent his anger.
"Claire, are you out of your mind?" he snapped.
I smiled as I poured him a glass of water. "Mr. Grant, I'm just here to serve you. After all, you pay me to handle your headaches, right?"
Jacob finished dinner with a knot in his stomach.
It was late at night.
Jacob pushed open the door to the master bedroom, only to find the bed empty.
After searching all over the second floor, he finally found us in the storage room at the end of the hallway.
With no bed in sight, Leo and I just spread out two thick quilts on the floor.
Leo curled up in my arms, restless and unable to settle down.
Jacob lingered in the doorway, the hallway light casting a glow, and saw Leo's tiny hand gripping my collar tightly.
Leo was murmuring in his sleep, his voice quivering with tears.
Leo whimpered in his dream, "Dad, if you don't like me, I can stop eating. Please don't send me away...
"I'll behave, I swear..."
Jacob lingered at the doorway, his hand resting on the doorknob, hesitating for so long that I nearly drifted off to sleep.
Finally, he closed the door softly.
I opened my eyes, staring up at the ceiling in the darkness.
Jacob's guilt came too late.
Early the next morning, Sally was already making a fuss about wanting seafood.
"Jacob, I really want some Boston lobster. I'm so bored with all this bland food lately," she whined.
Without a second thought, Jacob told the driver to take us straight to the priciest seafood spots in town.
The waiter led us straight into a VIP private room.
Before long, the massive round table was piled high with all kinds of expensive sashimi and lobster.
Jacob took the main seat, with Sally practically glued to his side.
Leo and I quietly slipped into the seats near the serving area, feeling like just two poor relatives tagging along for a free meal.
Sally glanced at the mountain of dishes on the table, giggling so hard she could barely sit still.
"Wow, there's so much food. How will we ever finish it all? Lucky you, Claire and Leo, looks like you two are getting the best tonight," Sally said.
Jacob ignored her fake sweetness, slipped on his gloves, and expertly picked up a big shrimp.
Back then, that was something he only ever did for me.
He used to say, "My wife's hands are for playing the piano, not for peeling shrimp."
Now, he peeled the shrimp with care, made sure it was perfectly coated in sauce, and placed it gently in Sally's bowl.
"Eat up. It's packed with protein and won't make you put on any weight. Seriously, you've been dieting so much, you're practically skin and bones," he said.
Leo sat on the tall chair, his little legs swinging in the air.
He stared at the pile of shrimp in Sally's bowl and quietly swallowed, trying not to show how much he wanted some.
But he kept silent, just lowered his head and scooped up a mouthful of rice.
Sally caught the hungry look in Leo's eyes, picked up a shrimp, and made a show of offering it to him.
"Leo, you want some? Here, have one from your auntie," she cooed.
Leo's face lit up, and he eagerly held out his little bowl to take it.
But just as Leo was about to take it, Sally's hand suddenly shook.
The shrimp fell to the floor with a soft plop, rolled around a bit, and got all dusty.