My Stepdaughter Calls Me Mommy Now

Sebastian Knight studied the two before him, feigning ignorance. "Where did you two go?"

"We were playing over there," Avianna answered first, licking her lips, savoring the last trace of ice cream. He noticed she looked off—like she's trying to hold something back.

His expression hardened in an instant. He turned to Layla. "What did you give her?"

Before Layla could even open her mouth, Avianna shakes her head frantically, tears already spilling. "Daddy, don't be mad at her. It was my idea, I swear."

She clutched her stomach and doubles over in pain. They both reach for her, but Sebastian was faster, scooping her up in one swift motion. He barked toward the kitchen, "Monica! Call the family doctor. Now!"

Without so much as a glance at Layla, Sebastian rushes upstairs with Avianna in his arms. Layla is rooted to the spot, totally confused. What the hell just happened? Could a little ice cream really mess up her stomach that bad?

Layla doesn't race up after them. She waited for Monica to hang up the phone before asking, "Monica, is Avianna not allowed to have ice cream?"

Monica looked at her, shocked. "You gave her ice cream? Seriously?"

"Mrs. Jensen, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Miss Knight can't tolerate anything cold. Her stomach was super sensitive. Even a tiny bit can cause a severe reaction—sometimes it's just nausea and throwing up, but it can get really bad..."

Monica sighed, hurrying to make warm coffee and grab her meds to bring upstairs.

Layla felt awful. Guilt crashed over her. How was she supposed to know about Avianna's condition? She's only been here a few days. No wonder the kid wanted to keep the ice cream trip a secret from her dad. Guilt gnawing at her, Layla hurries upstairs after them.

Upstairs, she finds Avianna thrashing on the bed, sobbing, "Daddy, it hurts so bad!"

Sebastian stands there, looking helpless. The moment he spots Layla, he snaps, "What were you thinking? Why would you let her eat that?"

Layla drops her head, shame burning her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Knight."

She rushed to Avianna's side, just as Monica arrived with the warm coffee and meds. Layla carefully gave them to the child, but Avianna was still in agony, clinging to Layla, crying, "Mommy, I won't eat ice cream ever again. Please don't leave me."

"Mommy, it hurts so much," she sobbed, thrashing again, and then suddenly she lurched over and starts vomiting.

The sight broke Layla's heart. She whirled on Sebastian, "Shouldn't we take her to the hospital? Now?"

She was thinking they needed an IV, maybe a full check-up. But Sebastian just ignored her. His voice turned icy. "From now on, don't give her anything she hasn't had before. Avianna is delicate. She can't just be exposed to unknown foods."

Avoiding Layla's gaze, he turned to his daughter with sudden gentleness. "Shh, don't cry, sweetheart. Aunt Winifred's on her way. You'll feel better soon."

Avianna was still so distraught she sank her teeth into her father's shoulder. Sebastian doesn't even flinch; he just lets her.

When he finally looked at Layla and sees her tear-filled eyes, his voice softens just a fraction. "I'll let it slide this time, since you didn't know. Just be more careful."

"Understood," Layla said, her voice barely a whisper. She slipped out of the room to call the head nurse for advice. But before she can dial, a young woman with a medical bag shows up. She gives Layla a quick once-over and then brushes past her into the room without a word.

Layla pocketed her phone, lingering by the door, overhearing them.

"Who's the girl out there?" Winifred asked, nodding toward Layla.

Sebastian clarified, "She's the one who saved Avianna from drowning. The kid likes her, so I asked her to stay."

Winifred nodded, finishing up with a gentle pat on Avianna's head. "No more being greedy, little one. You can't eat things you're not supposed to."

Even through the pain, Avianna nodded into her father's chest, tear-streaked cheeks still shiny as she snuggles closer.

Winifred didn't stick around. She mentioned she had a surgery coming up and left, telling them to call if anything. As she left, she shot Layla a few more curious looks but said nothing, bag in hand.

Layla hovered by the door, catching Sebastian's explanation that she was only here to keep Avianna company. That was fine by her.

Once Winifred was gone, Layla went back to find Avianna asleep, finally resting now that the meds had kicked in. Guilt still weighed on her. Softly, she offered, "Mr. Knight, I'd like to stay with her, if that's okay."

The medicine had done its job; Avianna was already asleep. Sebastian gently tucked her into bed, then gestures for Layla to follow him out.

In his office, Sebastian sat behind his desk, those piercing dark eyes locked on her. The authority radiating off him made Layla feel two inches tall. She twisted her fingers together, breathing unevenly in the heavy silence. Finally, Sebastian's voice cut through, firm and unyielding:

"I entrusted my daughter to you, hoping she'd be happy and carefree."

"Take good care of her, and you'll be rewarded. But if anything like today happens again, I won't be so lenient."

Layla knew she messed up. She nodded quickly, her apologied tumbling out. "I'm so sorry. It's my fault. It won't happen again. I'll take better care of her, I promise."

She needed this money—this place away from her parents—even if it meant being a nanny here.

Sebastian knew it was an honest mistake, given Layla's just moved in. But this was a warning: his daughter was his world, and she deserved the best care. Otherwise, Layla's position as Mrs. Knight could be yanked away in a heartbeat.

"You can go back to Avianna now," he said, dismissing her.

Layla nodded and slipped out, her demure, respectful demeanor making her blend right in with the rest of the household staff in his eyes. To Sebastian, she was just playing a part for the money. He won't let himself feel anything for her, no matter what Mathias says about how she looks. He swore he'll never get attached to someone who only came into his life for cash.