Jane walked through the long hallway, her arms tight around the tray she carried. The mansion was quiet that morning. Even the birds outside seemed shy. Rain had stopped, but the sky stayed gray, like it held secrets too.
She had barely slept.
That strange message still haunted her.
**"He doesn't know yet. But he will. Soon."**
Who sent it? How did they know where she was? Did someone find out about her past?
She tried to stay calm. She couldn't let fear show on her face. Not in front of Carlo. Not in front of Danny. She had to keep playing her part.
The careful nanny with a sweet smile.
She entered the living room and placed the tray down on the center table. Fresh tea. Some fruit. Just like Mrs. Steele liked it.
As she turned to leave, the front door opened.
Carlo stepped in.
Jane quickly stepped aside, lowering her eyes. "Good morning, sir."
He said nothing at first. Just walked past her. But then he stopped.
"Jane."
She turned slowly. "Yes, sir?"
He looked at her, frowning slightly. "Have we met before?"
Her heart jumped, but her face remained calm. "I don't think so, sir."
"You look familiar."
She forced a soft laugh. "Maybe I just have one of those faces."
His eyes narrowed. "Maybe."
He didn't sound convinced.
Jane nodded politely and walked away, but her hands trembled the moment she reached the hallway.
**He's starting to remember.**
She needed to be careful. Very careful.
Later that day, she took Danny to the garden. He ran around, laughing as he chased butterflies. Jane sat on the bench, pretending to read a book, but her eyes kept checking her phone. No new messages.
Whoever sent that text was silent now.
"Jane!" Danny called, running up to her. "Let's play hide and seek!"
She smiled, pushing her fear aside. "Okay, but just one round."
She closed her book and stood up, letting Danny hide first. She counted slowly, her voice loud and playful. "One… two… three…"
Behind her, the wind moved the trees. The shadows danced across the ground.
"…ten! Ready or not, here I come!"
She began searching, peeking behind bushes, calling his name. "Danny? Hmm, where could you be?"
A giggle came from behind the tree near the fountain.
Jane smiled. "Got you!"
Danny burst out laughing. "No fair!"
They played again, and Jane forgot her worries for a while. Just a little while.
But when she looked up toward the mansion, she saw a figure standing at the window upstairs. Watching.
Carlo.
She swallowed hard.
That night, as Jane finished cleaning the kitchen, Mrs. Steele walked in with a concerned look.
"Dear, are you alright?"
Jane nodded quickly. "Yes, ma'am. Just tired."
Mrs. Steele walked closer and lowered her voice. "I don't want to scare you, but Carlo has been asking questions. About you."
Jane felt her chest tighten. "What kind of questions?"
"Where you came from. If you've ever worked here in the past. If you were adopted."
Jane looked away. "Why would he think that?"
"I don't know, but…" Mrs. Steele hesitated. "Carlo had a younger sister. She disappeared when they were kids. No one talks about it anymore. It tore their family apart."
Jane's eyes widened slightly. "I didn't know."
"He doesn't either. He was too young to remember everything. But something about you reminds him."
Jane kept her expression calm, but inside, her heart was shaking.
Could it be? Was his lost sister… someone she knew?
Or was that just a coincidence?
She thanked Mrs. Steele and went to her room. She sat on the bed, holding her Bible again. The photo inside felt heavier than ever.
Carlo. Her mother. A connection deeper than anyone could guess.
She was about to hide the photo back inside when a knock came on her door.
She quickly tucked it away. "Come in."
The door opened, and Carlo stepped inside.
Jane stood up straight. "Sir?"
He looked at her for a moment, then stepped in and closed the door behind him.
"I don't usually do this," he said. "But I need answers."
Jane's hands clenched at her sides. "About what?"
He took a deep breath. "About you. About why my son prefers you over everyone else. About why my mother smiles more when you're around. About why my heart stops every time you walk into a room."
Jane stared at him, speechless.
He stepped closer. "You're not just a nanny, are you?"
She looked up at him, eyes locked.
"No," she whispered. "I'm not."
Just then, her phone vibrated.
Carlo glanced down.
The screen lit up with another message from the same unknown number.
**"Tell him the truth before I do."**
Carlo's jaw tightened.
He looked at her. "Who are you really, Jane?"
Jane opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat.
She wasn't ready.
Not yet.
And the truth… might destroy everything.