“Could I clean your house for a plate of food?” The words hung in the air, but when the millionaire saw her, he froze.
Rain lashed against the glass roof of the grand mansion on the outskirts of London, where billionaire Julian Whitmore stood by the fireplace, a cup of black coffee in hand, his gaze lost in the flickering flames. He was accustomed to solitude; even in this opulent home, hed never truly been surrounded by people. Success had brought him wealth, but not peace.
A sharp knock echoed through the hall.
Julian frowned. He wasnt expecting anyonethe staff had the day off, and visitors were rare. Setting down his cup, he strode to the front door. When he opened it, a woman stood there, soaked to the bone, clutching a little girl no older than two. Her clothes were worn, her eyes hollow with exhaustion. The child, silent, clung to her mothers jumper, peering around curiously.
“Sorry to disturb you,” the woman said, her voice trembling. “I havent eaten in two days. Ill clean your house just for a plate of food for me and my daughter.”
Julian went still.
His heart stutterednot from pity, but shock.
“Charlotte?” he murmured.
The woman lifted her head, her lips parting in disbelief.
“Julian?”
Time seemed to fold in on itself.
Seven years ago, shed vanishedno note, no goodbye. Shed simply walked out of his life.
Julian took a step back, stunned. The last time hed seen Charlotte Hart, shed been in a red summer dress, barefoot in the garden, laughing as if the world couldnt touch her.
Now she stood before him in rags.
His chest tightened. “Where have you been?”
“I didnt come for a reunion,” she said, her voice breaking. “I just need to eat. Please Ill leave right after.”
His gaze dropped to the little girlsoft blonde curls, blue eyes just like her mothers.
His voice cracked. “Is she mine?”
Charlotte didnt answer, just looked away.
Julian stepped aside. “Come in.”
The warmth of the house enveloped them. Shivering, Charlotte left wet footprints on the polished marble as Julian instructed the chef to prepare a meal.
“You still have staff?” she asked quietly.
“Of course,” he replied, a bit stiffly. “I have everything except answers.”
The little girl reached for a bowl of strawberries on the table and whispered, “Thank you.”
Julian managed a faint smile. “Whats your name?”
“Lily,” Charlotte murmured.
The name struck him. Lily. Thats what theyd once planned to name their daughter, back when everything was good before it all fell apart.
Julian sat slowly. “Explain. Why did you leave?”
Charlotte hesitated, then sank into the chair opposite, holding Lily close.
“I found out I was pregnant the same week your company went public. You were working twenty-hour days. I didnt want to be a burden.”
“That wasnt your decision to make,” he said bitterly.
“I know,” she admitted. “But then I was diagnosed with cancer.”
Julians heart clenched.
“Stage two. The doctors werent sure Id survive. I didnt want you to have to choose between the company and a dying woman. So I left. I gave birth alone. Went through chemo alone. And I lived.”
He was speechless, torn between anger and grief.
“You didnt trust me enough to let me help?” he finally asked.
Tears welled in Charlottes eyes. “I didnt even trust myself to survive.”
Lily tugged her mothers sleeve. “Mummy, Im sleepy.”
Julian leaned down. “Want to rest in a warm bed?”
She nodded. Then he turned to Charlotte. “Youre staying tonight. Ill prepare the guest room.”
“I cant” she began.
“You can, and you will,” he interrupted firmly. “Youre not just anyone. Youre the mother of my child.”
She froze. “You think shes yours?”
Julian straightened. “I dont need a test to know. Look at her. Shes mine.”
That night, after theyd tucked Lily in, Julian stood on the balcony, watching the storm-washed sky. Charlotte joined him, wrapped in a borrowed dressing gown.
“I never meant to ruin your life,” she confessed.
“You didnt,” he said. “You just disappeared from it.”
Silence settled between them.
“I didnt come asking for anything,” Charlotte said. “I was just desperate.”
Julian turned to her. “You were the only woman I ever loved. And you took away my right to fight for you.”
Tears spilled down Charlottes cheeks. “I still love you even if you hate me.”
He didnt answer. His eyes were on the window where Lily slept, safe.
Finally, he spoke. “Stay. At least until we figure out what comes next.”
The next morning, sunlight broke through the grey clouds, bathing Julians estate in gold. For the first time in years, the house didnt feel empty.
Downstairs, Julian found himself at the stove, scrambling eggs. The smell of butter and toast filled the kitchen. Soft footsteps soundedCharlotte appeared in the doorway, holding Lilys hand, both now in clean pyjamas, hair neatly brushed.
“You cook now?” Charlotte asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“Trying to,” Julian replied, handing Lily a platejust for her.
The girl climbed onto a chair and devoured the food as if she hadnt eaten properly in weeks.
“She adores you,” Charlotte observed, perching on the counters edge.
“Shes easy to love,” he said.
The days that followed moved in a new, quiet rhythmCharlotte, still wary, spoke little, while Julian watched her every move, trying to make up for lost time.
But not everyone was pleased with their arrangement.
One afternoon, returning from a meeting, Julian found his assistant, Eleanor, arms crossed by the door.
“So youve got a wife and child living here now?” she asked.
“Yes. Charlotte and her daughter.”
“Your daughter?” Eleanor raised a brow.
He nodded.
“Its not exactly discreet. The boards already asking questions.”
“Let them,” Julian said coldly. “My family isnt a stock market concern.”
The word “family” felt unfamiliar on his lips, but it also felt right.
That evening, Charlotte sat on the terrace, watching Lily chase butterflies across the lawn. Julian joined her with two mugs of tea.
“You always loved sunsets,” he murmured.
“Its the only time the world feels at peace.”
He took a sip. “Why didnt you come back after you recovered?”
She looked away. “I didnt think I belonged in your world anymore. Youd become untouchable. Famous. Powerful.”
He stepped closer. “I was alone.”
She said nothing.
“You couldve come back,” he repeated.
“I was afraid you wouldnt forgive me.”
Julian shoved his hands in his pockets. “And now?”
Charlotte struggled with her words. “I still dont know if you can.”
He turned to her. “I dont want revenge, Charlotte. I just need to know what kind of man Im supposed to be now for her.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “She needs a father, not a CEO.”
“Then Ill be one,” he said.
The next day, while Julian was on a conference call, Charlotte received an unexpected visitorDiana Whitmore, Julians mother, stood at the door, her gaze icy.
“So youre back,” Diana said.
“Hello, Diana,” Charlotte replied carefully.
“Youre not staying, I assume?” Dianas tone was crisp.
“I hadnt planned to,” Charlotte admitted. “But now I dont know.”
“You think a child makes you family?” Diana scoffed.
“Ill always be her mother. Lily is Julians daughter.”
Diana smirked. “Or is this just a ploy to claim your share of the inheritance?”
Charlotte straightened, her voice firm. “Then you dont know me at all.”
Julian returned then, his expression hardening at the tension.
“Whats going on?” he demanded.
“Just a family visit,” Diana said, her smile false. “Getting reacquainted with Charlotte.”
Julian glanced at Charlotte, who shook her head slightly.
Later that night, Charlotte packed a suitcase.
Julian found her in the hallway, zipping up the bag.
“What are you doing?” he snapped.
“I cant stay your mother”
“Forget her,” he cut in. “I want you here. Lily needs you. No ones forcing you outnot even my mother.”
Her lips trembled. “Youd go against your family for me?”
“You are my family,” he said. “You and Lily. You always were.”
