The late afternoon sun slanted through the windows of the white-columned Georgian house, casting golden light across the polished hardwood floor. Susie squinted her eyes; the house had changed since she'd last been inside - new curtains, new rugs, a vase of roses she knew he would never have chosen by himself. She turned to her left and saw a picture of a woman in a red dress smiling so confidently; apparently that would be the woman he used to cheat on her, but Susie wasn't here to admire décor or to drag husband with anyone.She was here for her son.

Dressed in a neat pink skirt, a prim white blouse buttoned to her throat, and wire-rimmed glasses that dulled the fire in her blue eyes, Susie looked every inch the proper English nanny. Her usually free, dark curls were pinned into a tight bun. No trace of the woman who once lived in this house remained in her reflection - except in her eyes, which never stopped searching, calculating.

She had rehearsed this role a hundred times. Her name was Miss Jennie Oliver now, with a calm, clipped accent borrowed from BBC dramas and a forged reference letter from a retired family in New Castle. She had been a nanny for six years and has had lots of experience with children. Of course this was not a joke considering she has a son. Every detail had been perfected. Still, her hands were cold.

The door opened.

The woman who answered was tall and fair, with the effortless elegance of someone who'd never been left behind. Natasha, her ex-husband's new wife. Her own sister. At that moment, she wanted to just strangle her and toss her away but she couldn't . She wasn't like her husband.She smiled with the cool politeness of someone doing a favor, not seeking help.

"You must be Miss Oliver. Please, come in."

Susie gave a slight, deferential bow. "Thank you, Mrs.Colllins. It's a pleasure."

They sat in the sunroom. poured tea. The air smelled like bergamot and success. Eleanor smiled, serene, as Natasha scanned her résumé.

"So," Natasha said, crossing her legs. "You've been with the Hastings family for five years?"

"Yes," Eleanor replied smoothly. "Lovely children. Twins, actually. Very energetic. But the family is relocating to New York, and I'm unable to follow."

Natasha nodded. "And you specialize in... structured care?"

"I do. Routines, gentle discipline, and emotional development. I also speak Spanish and play piano."

Natasha tilted her head, clearly impressed. "And you're certified?"

Susie produced laminated credentials - carefully crafted. Natasha scanned them, and nodded. The silence lingered a moment too long, and Susie felt the weight of scrutiny.

But then-

"You'll be looking after James.He's six. Sensitive. Not my son though, some mongrel I guess...." Susie bit her lip.

"...Needs structure, frankly. His father's been very busy lately. "

James. Her James. Susie had to inhale slowly to steady herself.

"I look forward to meeting him. He must be a lovely boy." she said softly.

Natasha stood. "He's upstairs actually. I'll call him down."

" James come here now."

The sound of small feet on the stairs. The shape that appeared was slightly smaller, thinner, with new shoes and a wary expression. He blinked at her. Something flickered in his face - a spark of recognition, maybe. Or maybe just a six-year-old's instinct.

"He's been crying a lot lately. He lost his mom who is my sister. I would cry too but I have to stay strong for him." She said using a finger to remove a fake tear from her eye. James wore a blue pajamas and dinosaur shoes.

"James, this is Miss Oliver."

She bent to his level, her throat tight. "Hello, James. I hope we'll be good friends."

He studied her for a long time. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Okay."

Natasha smiled. "It's settled, then. You can start Monday?"

Susie studied his face closely. He was still in his pijamas. His face had cookie crumbs all over his face. He seriously needed a bath.

Eleanor rose. "He needs a bath."

Natasha who was polishing her nails didn't seem much bothered. She turned to James and squeezed her nose.

"Why haven't you had your bath James."

" I don't know how to." James said shyly.

" I could bath him if you want..." 

" That's your job so do it." Natasha said coldly and continued polishing her nails. 

Susie ushered the boy to the bathroom and began removing his clothes. James wasn't bothered. He felt like his mother was bathing him. He looked at the nanny again. She looked similar to Mom. Apart from the huge mole on her face and ruthless haircut. He could see the love and care in her eyes, but she wasn't his mother. He wanted his mother.Susie carried him into the bath tub. She began scrubbing. She wondered how he had been bathing when she was not available. She looked at her son's face and saw that he still missed her. 

" Are you thinking of your mom?" . No reply.

" Don't worry. She might actually be alive."

" She's dead." He said coldly. 

"And what do you know about my mother, you are just a nanny." He took his rubber duck and dipped it in the water.

" I know that your mom was very nice. Your step mother told me..." 

" Aunt Natasha would never be my mother." Susie smiled. At least she still has hope on winning her son's love back. The rubber duck popped out of the water, he pushed it back in again. Susie went to the cupboard and brought out a brown monkey rag doll, his favourite toy. She hid her face behind the toy and used her hand to control the arms. She started talking in a chipmunk voice;

"James cheer up buddy and have your bath." James giggled and joined in the fun. From cosplay to splashing bubbles, James looked more happy than he had ever been.

" Do come back soon." James yanked the hem of Susie's skirt. It was time to go home.She tried to control her emotions.

" James. She works here now. She will resume tomorrow." Susie waved at her son as Natasha dragged the boy back into the house.

As she walked out of the house - the house that used to be hers, Susie didn't look back. She had passed the interview. Gained entry into the house and her son's heart.

And now, she was closer to her son than she had been in a long time.

The rest of the plan could begin.

Susie settled into her new role as James's nanny, her days filled with school runs, homework, and playtime. She took James to school every morning, watching as he grew more confident with each passing day. She'd wave goodbye as he disappeared into his classroom, her heart swelling with love and determination. There were times when she almost broke out of her role. One time.

As she drove back home, her before driver, Alfred dropped her.Susie couldn't help but think about the life she left behind. She had been a wife, a mother, and a partner in her own right. Now, she was a nanny, a role she had taken on to get close to her son. It was a sacrifice, but one she was living with the consequences of her ex-husband's infidelity and her own desperation to be with her child.

After dropping James off, Susie would return home to tackle the household chores. Natasha couldn't clean, but was particular about cleanliness, and Susie made sure to meet her expectations. As she vacuumed and dusted, she'd catch glimpses of her ex-husband, Jonathan ,working from home. He'd look up, their eyes would meet, and for a moment, the past would come flooding back.

Susie would feel a pang in her chest, a mix of emotions she couldn't quite process. She had thought she was over him, that she had moved on from the pain he had caused her. But seeing him now, in this new context, brought back all the memories she had tried to bury.

****

"Susie, the laundry needs to be done immediately before I come back from the salon." Natasha hesitated as she pointed at the pile of dirty clothes.

" But I already did some laundry." Susie whispered and picked up the clothes. She went down to the laundry room and started sorting the clothes, so that there wouldn't be any issues. Moments later, the laundry was done. She walked upstairs to her former room. Now Natasha's. As Susie walked into the room, she got startled to see Jonathan here, on his laptop.

" I'm so sorry sir. I didn't expect you home today..." 

" What?!"

I mean...I..." Susie staggered back. What did she just say. Things are getting out of hand.

" Working home today. It's okay." He continued typing. Susie closed her eyes. 'He was right in front of her'. She couldn't take it. 

" Why can't this just add up." Jonathan tensed up as he covered his face with his hands.

"I don't know how she used to do it," he muttered, staring at his laptop screen. "This software is driving me crazy."

Susie raised an eyebrow, her fingers moving instinctively to help. " Can I take a look," she said, her voice calm and professional. She began tapping. Moving the mouse cursor to places, while Jonathan just gazed at her , with his jaw dropped.

" How do you know this?"

" I learned this in college." Susie pursed her lips. It was true but an average nanny shouldn't know this.

As she worked her magic on the software, their hands touched, and a spark of electricity ran through her body. 

" You sound smarter than my wife." Jonathan looked up, his eyes locking onto hers, and for a moment, she saw a glimpse of their old life, many years ago when she would sit on his lap and do jer little magic on the laptop.

But the moment passed,when Natasha walked into the room, her eyes narrowing. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice cool.

Susie stepped back, her hands behind her back. "Just helping Mr. Collins with his computer issues, ma'am," she said, her voice demure.

Natasha's gaze lingered on Jonathan,then Susie, looking more helpless than ever, before she nodded and walked away. Susie let out a breath, her heart racing. She knew she had to tread carefully, but she couldn't help the way she felt.

As the days went by, Susie found herself growing closer to James, and even Natasha began to thaw towards her. But the tension between her and Jonathan remained, a palpable force that neither of them could ignore.

Susie's plan was working, but at what cost? She was getting closer to her son, but she was also getting tangled in her feelings for her ex-husband. And what about Natasha? Would she ever suspect the truth about Miss Jennie Oliver?

One evening, as Susie was putting James to bed, he looked up at her with big, round eyes. "Miss Oliver?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, James?" Susie replied, her voice soft.

"Do you think my mom is in heaven?" James asked, his eyes welling up with tears.

Susie's heart broke for her son. She knew he missed his mother, and she wished she could tell him the truth. But for now, she had to keep up the charade.

"I think your mom is always with you in spirit, James," Susie said, trying to sound reassuring. "She loves you very much, and she's watching over you from wherever she is."

James nodded, seeming to accept Susie's words. But as Susie tucked him into bed, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She was lying to her son, and it didn't feel right.

As she turned out the lights and closed the door, Susie couldn't shake off the feeling that she was living a lie. She was a nanny, a fake identity, a secret keeper. But for now, it was all she could do.

The next day, Susie woke up early, determined to keep up the act. She made breakfast for James, helped him get ready for school, and drove him to his classroom. As she waved goodbye, she felt a sense of pride and purpose. She was doing this for her son, and she would see it through to the end.

As she walked back home, Susie couldn't help but notice the way Jonathan looked at her. Not the look of a boss to worker. It was a look of curiosity, of interest, and maybe even a hint of attraction. He might still love me. Susie's heart skipped a beat as she realized that she might not be immune to his charms after all.

She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. Getting James back. Jonathan has made his decision. A message beeped on her cell phone:

~ Can we meet?

As Susie tucked James into bed, she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that had been building up inside her. She had been playing the role of the nanny for weeks now, and it was taking a toll on her. But she knew she had to keep up the act if she wanted to stay close to her son.

As she closed the door to James's room, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had made it through another day without arousing suspicion. But little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn. She walked downstairs, she noticed her phone buzzing on the kitchen counter. She picked it up, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw another message from an unknown number.

"Meet me tonight at the old oak tree in the park at 10 pm. Come alone," the message read.

Susie's mind racing, she tried to process who could have sent the message and what they wanted. Alex. He must have found out. But she was in a different body.She looked around the kitchen, feeling a sense of unease. Was this a prank, or something more sinister?

She thought about ignoring the message, but her curiosity got the better of her. Who could be behind this, and what did they want with her? She couldn't shake off the feeling that this message was connected to her past, to Alex, or maybe even to her current situation as a nanny.

As she pondered what to do, she heard Natasha's voice behind her. "Susie, can you make sure James's lunch is packed for tomorrow?"

Susie quickly hid her phone and turned around, trying to compose herself. "Of course, Natasha. I'll take care of it."

But her mind was still reeling from the mysterious message. She knew she had to be careful and figure out who was behind it. She couldn't let her guard down, not now, not when she was so close to her son.

As the night fell, Susie found herself growing more and more anxious. She knew she had to decide whether to ignore the message or take a chance and meet the mysterious sender.

As she lay in bed, she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. Who was behind the message, and what did they want with her? She knew she had to be brave and find out.

At 9:45 pm, Susie made up her mind. She would go to the park and see who was behind the message. She knew it was a risk, but she couldn't ignore the feeling that this was connected to her past, to her son, or maybe even to Alex.

She quietly got out of bed and made her way to the park. The old oak tree loomed in front of her as she walked through the darkness. She looked around, but there was no one in sight.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. Susie's heart racing, she tried to make out who it was. But the figure remained silent, its face hidden in the darkness.

"Who are you?" Susie asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The figure didn't respond. Instead, it took a step closer to her. Susie's heart racing, she tried to step back, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. She needed to know it was Alex that was behind this. A flash of light beamed at her face , causing her not to see clearly. And then, everything went black.