Chapter 5 A new reality

Ivy's POV

Nine months later.

"Push, Ivy, push!" the nurse urged, her voice cutting through the haze of pain.

"I am pushing!" I screamed back, gripping the sides of the bed like my life depended on it.

"Just one more, Ivy," Mom said softly, her hand holding mine tightly. "You've got this, sweetheart."

"I can't do this," I gasped, tears streaming down my face. "It hurts too much!"

"You've come this far," mum said, her voice gentle. "You're stronger than this, Ivy. Keep going."

With a final scream that ripped through my throat, the sound of a baby's cry filled the room. My heart clenched as the nurse placed the tiny, wailing bundle in my arms.

"It's a boy," she said with a smile.

My tears flowed freely as I looked down at him. He was so small, so fragile. His eyes were closed, her tiny fists clenched. He was perfect.

"He's beautiful," Mom whispered, leaning over to kiss my forehead.

For a brief moment, everything else faded away-Nathan's betrayal, Alexander's absence, the chaos of the past months. All that mattered was the baby in my arms. My baby.

Nathan had left my life in ruins, and I couldn't even blame Alexander for the position I was in-it wasn't like either of us had expected our lives to cross paths that night.

But reality didn't wait long to intrude.

After one week, I was discharged, life became a blur of late-night feedings, diaper changes, and trying to keep my sanity intact. Mom and Dad were supportive, but I could feel their disappointment lingering in the air.

"He's your responsibility now," Dad said one evening as I rocked the baby in my arms. "We'll help where we can, but you need to figure out how to provide for him, Ivy."

"I know," I said quietly, staring at the sleeping face of my son. "I'm going to make this work."

Raising Micheal alone wasn't easy. My parents supported me as much as they could, but I couldn't rely on them forever. Bills piled up, and my savings dwindled. Every time I looked at Michael's tiny face, I knew I had to do more.

Emma, ever the practical one, sat down beside me. "Have you thought about what you're going to do? You can't just stay home forever."

"I'm looking for something," I said defensively.

"Well, you need to look faster," she shot back. "Babies aren't cheap."

The reminder stung, but she wasn't wrong. My savings had dwindled to almost nothing. I needed a job, fast.

Somewhere I can earn some income to Carter for my son, Micheal.

A month later, I was sitting in the kitchen with Mom, filling out applications on my laptop that Rachel my best friend told me a week ago. While my son napped in the next room.

"What about this one?" I asked, pointing to an ad for a housekeeper position.

Mom looked at the screen. "Full-time? Ivy, how are you going to manage that with the baby?"

"I don't have a choice, do I?" I snapped, then immediately regretted it. "Sorry, Mom. I just... I need this. I need something stable."

She sighed. "I get it, Ivy. Just don't burn yourself out, okay?"

"I won't."

The next week, I was preparing for my first day at the job. It was a full time job, which meant I should be living with them with my baby, Micheal . The house belonged to someone wealthy-of course it did, with the pay they were offering-but I didn't know much else.

Emma smirked as I packed Michael's bag for the day. "So, are you ready to mingle with the rich and famous?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not mingling, Emma. I'm cleaning."

She laughed. "Just don't let them boss you around too much."

When I arrived at the Steele mansion for my orientation, I was taken aback by its size. The sprawling estate screamed wealth, and I felt out of place even standing near the gate. I adjusted my bag nervously, muttering to myself.

"You've got this, Ivy. It's just a housekeeping job."

The mansion loomed before me, an architectural marvel of glass and steel that seemed to pierce the clouds. I shifted uncomfortably, holding my son close, as Liam gestured for me to follow him inside.

"This is ridiculous," I muttered under my breath. "I could have found another job."

Liam rolled his eyes. "You'll thank me later. Trust me, Ivy, this is a good opportunity."

We entered the grand foyer, the sheer luxury of the place taking my breath away. Polished floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and the air smelled faintly of expensive cologne and fresh-cut flowers.

"Wait here," Liam instructed, walking off down a long hallway.

I fidgeted, bouncing my son gently in my arms as I took in my surroundings. The weight of uncertainty settled in my chest-this was way out of my league.

Minutes later, Liam returned, a tall, sharply dressed man following behind him. My breath hitched as I caught sight of his face.

"Ivy," Liam said, his tone casual, "meet Mr. Steele. My father."

Alexander Steele's piercing gray eyes locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. I froze, my grip on my son tightening instinctively.

" Then he turned to his father. Dad this is the new housekeeper I was telling you about," Liam continued smoothly, ignoring the tension thickening in the air.

Alexander's gaze shifted briefly to my son before returning to me. His lips pressed into a thin line.