Chapter 3
As I stepped out the front gate, I let out a long, relieved breath.
This time, I wasn't that caged canary, hoping love would be my ticket out.
I was just Rosemary, a pro working for the money.
I thought if I just stuck to my work hours, I could keep my life separate from Aaden and the Goodman family.
But as it turns out, trouble just has a way of showing up uninvited.
On my third day at work, an uninvited guest showed up and messed up the quiet vibe in the villa.
That afternoon, I was in Dexter's room, helping him with a tricky starry night puzzle.
He still didn't say anything, but he wasn't totally ignoring me like he did on day one. Sometimes, he'd shoot me a quick look out of the corner of his eye.
That felt like progress.
Right then, someone burst in, slamming the door open with a loud bang.
Dexter flinched, puzzle pieces flying everywhere as he bolted for the corner, hugging his head, shaking all over.
My heart dropped. I shot to my feet, stepping in front of him, staring down whoever was coming in.
Standing there was a middle-aged woman in a Chanel suit, her makeup flawless, but her eyes were mean and critical.
Behind her was the butler, looking uncomfortable.
It was Aaden's mom, Kenley Salazar.
In my last life, Kenley never once showed me a shred of kindness.
She called me a seductress, just a low-rent stand-in, and when she thought I was carrying Aaden's child, she made me choke down a bowl of cold Venomshade, a kind of poison.
"So you're that woman?" Kenley's eyes raked over me, full of suspicion.
"Yeah, you do resemble her a little. No wonder my son got so hung up on you," she said with a sneer.
I didn't say a word, just stared back at her, cold and unyielding.
"Let me tell you, don't think you can just rise above your station and become something special just because you happen to look like her!" Kenley snapped.
"The Goodman family will never accept a shameless woman like you! You're nothing but something my son paid for. As soon as my grandson gets better, you'll be gone," she spat.
Her words were just like in my last life.
Back then, my face would go white, I'd be shaking all over, and all I could do was cry, too scared to even talk back.
But now, I just coolly reached into my work bag and pulled out the contract with all the extra terms.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Goodman," I greeted her.
Without missing a beat, I opened the contract to the page with the additional terms and held it out for her to see.
"As per my agreement with Mr. Goodman, my responsibilities are strictly limited to providing psychological support and daily care for Dexter Goodman. With all due respect, I am not involved in any family affairs," I stated.
Kenley clearly hadn't expected me to respond like that. She froze, momentarily speechless.
All the insults she'd been ready to hurl just got stuck in her throat.
I continued, "Your actions today have seriously interfered with my professional duties and have frightened Dexter Goodman, the child under my care. This could very well hinder his recovery process."
"What... What kind of attitude is that?" Kenley sputtered, her face twisting between shock and fury.
"How dare you talk to me like that? You're just the hired help!" she snapped.
"I'm not a servant. I'm the family consultant hired by Aaden," I corrected her.
I checked my watch.
"Also, since you came in, it's been five minutes and thirty seconds. You've used up my work time discussing your personal opinions about me and the Goodman family's internal issues."
I gave her a by-the-book professional smile.
"Based on the hourly rate in the contract addendum, I'll be sending an invoice for five minutes and thirty seconds of family dispute consultation to Mr. Goodman's email. Please remind him to pay promptly," I said.
"You... You must be insane! Asking for money? Seriously?" Kenley spat.
Her fingers trembled so much, she looked like she might snap.
"It's well within my rights," I said.
"If there's nothing else, please see yourself out and don't disturb my work any further. Otherwise, I'll just keep the meter running and keep billing you for every minute of 'consultation'," I added.
Kenley had probably never come across hired help with this much attitude in her whole life.
My response left her totally speechless, her well-kept face flushing beet red with rage.
Just then, Aaden showed up in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space.
He must've heard the commotion and rushed over, looking conflicted as he took in the scene between us.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" he said, cutting through the awkward silence.
"Aaden! Look at this piece of work you've brought home!" Kenley snapped.
She latched onto him like she'd found her savior and started tattling right away.
"She actually dared to talk back to me! And now she's trying to charge me for 'consultation'? She's totally out of line!" she fumed.