Walking Out Made My Life Perfect

In my seventh year of dating Elliot Sheppard, he pulls every string to save the exiled daughter of his imprisoned mentor—Margot Fairgrave—and gives her a wedding that makes headlines.

"Professor Fairgrave was my guiding light and a man of integrity, who'd never yield to corruption. I owe it to him to protect his daughter," he declares.

The Sheppard family, with their billion-dollar empire and strict family rules, will never accept a daughter-in-law like Margot. So, to secure her place, he demands that our son call her "Mom" and tells the world that I am just the nanny.

He promises. "Just wait. Once I collect enough evidence to prove that Professor Fairgrave was framed, I'll return everything to the way it was."

For three years, I waited and watched their picture-perfect family of three. My son no longer knows me as his mother, yet I remain their lowly nanny.

Since I can't possibly wait forever, I've decided to stop waiting.

Elliot Sheppard and I dated for seven years. Just as we were about to get married, he left me for Margot Fairgrave, just because she was the daughter of his imprisoned mentor.

I kept compromising out of love, and three years elapsed just like that.

I was done waiting.

…

News of Elliot Sheppard and Margot Fairgrave's lavish wedding of the century shocked Athland, but no one knew I was supposed to be the bride.

I could still remember the night Elliot knelt beside me and begged me in a shaking voice. "Celeste, I found Maggie. She's in bad shape after Professor Fairgrave's arrest, and I have to protect her. That's the only way I can repay him.

"So please, let her be my bride."

Even after three years, his words still cut deep like a blade.

While I was deep in thought, a miniature version of Elliot appeared before my eyes. "You're just a dumb nanny, so who are you to tell me what to do?"

This was my son with Elliot, Rowan Sheppard.

I was just about to speak when Margot strode forward and cradled him protectively. After giving him a careful once-over, she turned to give me a wary glare.

"Ms. Duvall, Rowan's only three. Please don't be too hard on him."

Hearing that, I frowned and felt oddly unsettled. All I'd done was remind Rowan to eat his greens for the sake of a balanced diet, and he'd pushed his plate onto the floor. The food went all over my clothes.

Snuggling into her arms, he pouted. "Mom, I was building our family of three's Lego set for you and Dad's wedding anniversary. But this nanny had to nag me about veggies, and now, it's ruined!"

My breath hitched. I'd almost forgotten that seven days from now, Elliot and Margot would celebrate their third wedding anniversary. It was the same date he and I started dating, and my birthday.

We'd chosen that day for the wedding, just to weave the celebrations into something greater. And now, every