10 Years a Stand-In, They Lost It After I Go

Chapter 8

I never imagined that the travel companion who had been by my side day and night was actually once the renowned third young master of the Brooks family.

As I thought about the family feud stories he'd shared with me, I couldn't help but look at him with mixed emotions. He had once been so close to the top, just a step away from everything, yet at the last moment, he'd walked away from all that glory, disappearing without a trace, choosing a life of anonymity instead.

"Mr. Grant," Boris's voice snapped me back to reality, his tone cutting through the tension, "Lily longs for freedom. Why do you insist on trapping her in a cage? You know well she hasn't been happy these past ten years."

For a brief moment, I felt moved, but quickly regained my composure.

For ten years, I had done my duty faithfully. Women came and went from Alexander's life like revolving doors, with Sophia just being one of many. They changed constantly, while I remained by his side, unchanging through it all.

Rumors had swirled around us, accusing me of scheming, of playing games for power. Some even whispered I was using witchcraft to keep him under my spell.

But the truth was far simpler. I never loved Alexander. Without love, there could be no hate, no happiness or sadness, just an agreement. Once that contract ended, so would our connection.

I told him this directly, and his face fell in shock. He seemed frozen, unable to comprehend my words.

"You're saying… you never loved me?" he asked, the disbelief thick in his voice.

I nodded, my tone calm and steady. "Never."

That fleeting spark of affection had come too late and died too quickly.

Boris chuckled lightly, but there was a clear edge of mockery in it. "Mr. Grant, it's clear now. Please, leave before you embarrass yourself further."

Alexander, humiliated and furious, started rolling up the car window, preparing to order the driver to leave. But just as he did, Oliver suddenly jumped out of the car and ran toward me, hugging me tightly from behind. Maybe he understood that after today, we really would never meet again.

He set aside his usual reserve, his emotions pouring out. "Nanny Lily, don't go. I know I was wrong. I miss you so much."

"No one else makes snacks as delicious as you, or plays racing games with me the way you do."

"The teacher taught me to observe details, and now I see. Nanny Lily, you were the one who really cared for me all along. I shouldn't have believed all those rumors about you."

He paused, his voice quivering. "Nanny Lily, can I call you Mom, just once? I don't think I've ever called you that..."

The truth was, clearing my name would've been easy. But why would they bother? It wasn't until you lose something that you truly understand its worth.

I gently pried Oliver's hands off me, my voice calm but firm. "Oliver, I'm not your mother. I've already done enough for you."

I had no intention of letting myself get tangled up with a child, nor did I plan to forgive the deliberate harm that had been done to me.

"But… but I really miss you," Oliver said, his voice breaking. "After you left, Dad started going into your room every day, spending a long time there. He got a puppy that looks just like Snowball, and he changed the photo in his study to one of you."

"Mom, please don't be angry. Dad and I both care about you. I'll help take care of the puppy and be better to you from now on."

Alexander's face was as red as a tomato, his ears practically burning with shame. I didn't need him to say anything, I understood. The heart that had never been moved by me in ten years had quickly replaced Emily with me in just one short month after I left.

Human hearts were fickle things.

I sighed softly. "'Snowball' is 'Snowball.' No one can replace him, not even a puppy or a person."

"Alexander, stop pestering me. I never loved you in those ten years, and I sure as hell don't now. Instead of wasting your time on me, focus on Oliver."

I ruffled Oliver's hair and gently pushed him toward Alexander. "Don't let him grow up to be like you."

Reluctantly, Alexander took a few steps forward, but Boris beat him to it, pulling me onto the motorcycle and speeding off.

Behind us, the figures of father and son slowly shrank into a tiny speck in the distance.

I turned to Boris and asked, "Boris Brooks, do you like me?"

He smiled, his eyes lighting up with sincerity. "I do. I really like you. It's not just some passing infatuation. I want to spend my whole life with you. I want to be the one who's committed to you, and only you, never changing my heart, not until the day I die."

The glow of the setting sun bathed his face, casting a warm light as the wind ruffled our hair.

Boris continued, his voice soft but full of meaning. "Ten years ago, when you first arrived in the city, you went to a company party. You were so awkward, standing out in a crowd of well-dressed socialites, making a fool of yourself. But I couldn't stop watching you. There was something about your genuine, unaffected nature that captivated me."

"I was tangled up in my own world then, but you opened my eyes. You showed me that there was a bigger world out there, one full of beauty beyond the walls I had built for myself."

"An offhand comment from you gave me the courage to break free, and it was you who made me decide to leave it all behind and chase the freedom I wanted."

"Now, fate has brought us together again. This time, I won't let go of your hand."

I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding him tightly as I smiled. "Alright then, let's stay here together and see everything this world has to offer."

Boris laughed, a carefree, resounding laugh that was swept away by the wind, echoing into the distance.