Chapter 3

Alice’s POV

I arrived at the police station just in time.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw my mother’s boss raising his hand, about to strike her. A surge of panic rushed through me, and without thinking, I grabbed his wrist.

"Please, sir! Don’t hurt my mother!" I pleaded, my voice shaking.

Dropping to my knees, I clasped my hands together. "I beg you… don’t send her to jail. Please, sir, have mercy!"

"Please… I’ll do anything. Just don’t let my mother go to prison."

"Fine," he said, a slow smirk forming on his lips. "You want to save your mother?"

I nodded frantically. "Yes, I do."

"Then marry me."

"What?"

"You heard me," I said coldly. "Marry me, and I’ll drop the charges."

Tears burned in my eyes as I looked up at him. My mother had made a terrible mistake, but we didn’t deserve this. I had to save my mother —no matter what it took.

Mr. Andrew Walker, the man standing before me, was no ordinary person. He was one of the wealthiest and most feared young billionaires in the country. Ruthless in business, powerful beyond imagination, and completely untouchable. My mother had worked for him as a nanny, taking care of his only son.

she had wronged him and now he wanted to marry me?

I cannot, I barely knew this man.I had to think fast.

"Sir, I’ll pay for the diamonds!" I blurted out desperately.

A low, cruel chuckle escaped his lips. "Even if you sold yourself, your mother, and everything you own, you wouldn’t be able to afford even half of their worth."

His words stung like a slap to my face.

I clenched my fists, swallowing the bitter truth. He was right. We were poor—barely surviving. There was nothing we could offer to repay him.

But I couldn’t give up.

"Sir," I tried again, forcing down my pride. "I’ll work for you. You can keep my salary as payment for the diamonds."

A heavy silence filled the room.

For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t even consider it. His gaze bore into me, calculating, unreadable. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.

"And what makes you think I’d trust you after what your mother did?"

I lifted my chin, determination shining through my tear-streaked face. "If I ever steal from you, punish me however you see fit. Lock me in prison. Shoot me. I don’t care. Just… please, release my mother."

The room was deathly silent.

I held my breath, waiting for his response.

Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Fine," he said. "You’ll take your mother’s place as my son’s nanny."

My eyes widened. "Really?"

"Don’t make me regret this," he muttered before turning on his heels and walking out of the room.

Relief washed over me as I turned to my mother.

The officer uncuffed her, and I immediately pulled her into a tight hug. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to me.

"I’m so sorry, Alice," she whispered brokenly. "I—"

"No, Mom," I interrupted. "Don’t apologize. I know you did it for me. If I were in your shoes, I might have done the same thing."

She sobbed into my shoulder. "Thank you, my child. I don’t know what I would have done without you."

"You’d probably be in jail," I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

She let out a shaky laugh, wiping her tears.

"Come on, let’s get out of here," I said, taking her hand.

As we walked out of the station, I stole one last glance at Mr. Walker’s retreating figure.

I had just sold my freedom to save my mother.

And I have no idea what I had gotten myself into.

---

Andrew’s POV

The moment I got home, I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.

I couldn’t get her out of my mind.

That girl…

Her desperate pleas, the fire in her eyes, the way she fearlessly grabbed my wrist—no one had ever dared to do that before. She had completely distracted me, making me forget about my mother’s stolen diamonds for a moment.

I had never felt anything like this before.

Was it pity?

No, I wasn’t the type of man to pity anyone.

Then what was it?

Was it… attraction?

I shook my head violently. **No, that’s ridiculous.**

I barely knew her. She was just a girl willing to do anything to save her mother. That was all.

And yet…

I could still hear her voice in my head. The way she had stood before me, unyielding, willing to trade her entire life to make things right.

My chest tightened.

I needed to get a grip.

At least I had solved one problem—I had a new nanny for Steve. Now I wouldn’t have to take him everywhere with me. That was a relief.

Wait.

Steve.

A sudden realization hit me like a punch to the gut.

**Where was he?**

Panic surged through me as I sat up abruptly.

"Steve!" I called out, my voice echoing through the house. No response.

My heart pounded as I scanned the room, trying to recall when I had last seen him.

Then it hit me.

I had left him at the police station.

Oh my God.

I had forgotten my own son—again.

Grabbing my car keys, I sprinted out of the house.

I drove like a madman back to the station, my mind racing with guilt and anxiety.