Expecting my Billionaire Stepbrother's Baby (a Stepbrother Romance Novel) by Emilia Beaumont Page A

unfortunately been out of the loop with what’s gone on, including little Leah’s care. You understand, I’m sure, a busy working mother trying to juggle all aspects of her life… it’s tough you know.”
    This woman was something else. Lying through her back teeth. Was she truly trying to pull the wool over my eyes and lie to me about what had happened? I knew enough to know her version of events was a big pile of steaming bullcrap. She left them both – a new-born and Drake, without even saying goodbye – for a fashion designing job halfway across the world. I was debating on whether to call her out on her lies when her phone rang.
    Christine’s arms darted out holding Leah. “Here, I have to take this,” she said, no please, no thank you.
    I bounced Leah in my arms contemplating what we could do today, but as I overheard Christine’s voice as she wandered over into the kitchen, I knew it wouldn’t be up to me. Leah had a mother who would now want to make the decisions regarding Leah’s time, or at least so I thought. Perhaps Christine would want to spend the day with her, take her out for a stroll. And so I waited for instructions like a good, obedient nanny - I had to remain professional, I told myself.
    “…Yes, better than I expected actually. Easy peasy. I don’t think it’ll take long. He’s like a puppy dog, give him a bone and he’ll roll over. Anyway, I better go. I’ll see you in a bit… Can’t wait!” Christine whispered. She ended the call with a kissy sound and came back into the room all smiles.
    “I have to pop out. Seeing a few friends for lunch,” she said, gathering up her Chanel purse.
    “Do you want me to get Leah ready? I think her stroller is around here somewhere.”
    “Oh no, I’m not taking a baby to a restaurant,” she gasped in horror. “Can you imagine if she started crying?”
    “Well, I guess—”
    “No, you two stay here. I won’t be too long. But let’s keep this between us; Drake doesn’t need to know,” she said, grinning a little too hard. “I’ll make sure there’s a little bonus in it for you.”
    My forehead knitted together for a moment. Something about her whole edgy demeanour wasn’t sitting right with me.
    “Are you sure? It’ll only take a moment—”
    “I said no!” Her eyes flashed in anger, her face tight with impatience. I swallowed hard.
    Christine shoved her phone into her bag and without even a goodbye to Leah left the apartment. As soon as she was gone I let out a breath that I hadn’t realised I’d been holding.
    No, something was definitely not right with this whole situation. Christine comes back, expressing her desire for a second chance with her daughter and her ex, and yet on the first day she doesn’t even want to spend time with Leah and is bribing the nanny to keep quiet?
    Alarm bells were going off.
    Feelings of hot rage were building to a roaring fire inside me. I should’ve said something, I thought. Stood up to her. Well, it wasn’t too late to have it out with her, to find out what she was up to. It was what Drake was partly employing me for. He’d want me to find out what she was doing, I reasoned.
    Carrying Leah, I proceeded to open and close closet doors, hunting for her stroller. I finally found what I was looking for and got her settled into what looked like the Rolls Royce of baby transportation – an old fashioned pram but with all the modern gadgets, radiating style and sophistication. Her arms waved in the air, and a smile spread across her chubby face.
    “Yes, we’re going on an adventure to see what your devilish mummy is up to,” I said in a sing-song voice. I grabbed my jacket, and we hightailed it out of the apartment; I hoped that once on the street I’d be able locate Christine and follow her.

10

Ten
    I t didn’t take long to spot Christine in her flamboyant blue outfit, gliding down the street in her dangerously high heels. Pushing Leah, I weaved effortlessly in between oncoming