Page 21 of Love Unwritten

My whole world stops as I process his words. “What?”

“You have no experience with children, and it clearly shows.”

Deep breaths, Ellie. He has every right to be upset, so no need to fight his fire with yours.

My hands curl into tight fists. “In the time I’ve worked here, I have made one mistake—”

“A mistake that sent my kid to the hospital!”

I do my best to quell my anger like my mom taught me. “I’m so sorry.”

“You’re lucky I don’t sue.”

“What?” My voice trembles, along with my hands by my sides. I hate myself for showing any sign of weakness, but I can’t stop the raw burst of emotion from overwhelming me.

He looks unbothered by my outburst as he picks at a piece of invisible lint. “If that’s all…”

His cold reaction triggers a past memory of Ava doing the same. The way she dismissed me like I never mattered. Like we hadn’t been friends for fifteen years before she let a man and his lies get between our friendship… God, I’ll never forget the ache.

Rafael robs me of my next reply. “I’m taking Nico to my aunt’s house tomorrow for a sleepover, so that should give you enough time to clear out your room.”

I must have misheard him. “Excuse me?”

“I’ll get Nico ready for school and drive him there myself. It’s best for you to stay in your room during that time.”

“Can I at least say goodbye to him?”

Rafael cuts me down with a single “No.”

I rapidly blink until I regain control of my tears. “So that’s it? I’m dismissed?”

“No, Eleanor. You’re fired.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Ellie

Willow, who has been my best friend since I moved to Lake Wisteria in middle school, didn’t ask any questions when I showed up at her lakeside bungalow in the middle of the night with tear-stained cheeks and a car stuffed with my personal belongings. I thought I could wait until morning to pack up my room, but then I considered how it would feel to stay quiet while Nico went about his morning routine, completely unaware of me no longer being his nanny.

So, similar to the time Ava fired me as her songwriter, I disappeared in the middle of the night. That option seemed better than pulling Rafael aside and begging for my job back because I’m not sure if I could survive another conversation like our last one.

I’m not a confrontational person. Sure, I can sass back because I am my mother’s daughter after all, but when push comes to shove, I’d much rather run away than stand my ground against someone who hurt me.

Even if it means never getting closure.

I wake up in the morning to find Willow already in the kitchen pouring us both cups of coffee. After a few sips of courage, I give her a short summary of everything that happened.

Willow leans against the kitchen counter with a frown. “So he just fired you without giving you any chance to explain?”

“Yup.”

“What an asshole.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I mean, listen. He was right to be angry at you for keeping that secret from him, but he could have gone about it a little differently.”

I shrug off her statement. “It is what it is. I was in the wrong, so this is my penance.”