Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

Astrid's

POV

The nanny's eyes widened as she watched Ryker eat, and I could see the surprise clearly written on her face.

She leaned forward, her gaze shifting from Ryker to me, as if she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.

"I... I can't believe it," she whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "You actually got it right."

I offered her a tentative smile, my eyes still focused on Ryker. "I just wanted to make sure he had something he liked," I said softly. "I know how particular he is.'

She shook her head, a look of wonder crossing her features. "Particular doesn't even begin to cover it," she replied with a gentle laugh.

"It's almost impossible to get it right with him on the first try. It took me months just to figure out his preferences.

Even now, I still make mistakes before I manage to cook the right pancake for him.

I was so frustrated, I nearly quit my job as his nanny because of it." She paused, her eyes softening as they met mine. "But you did it."

Her compliment warmed me, and for a moment, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

It wasn't just about getting the food right; it was about showing that I cared, that I was trying.

I knew it was my love and determination that drove me to accomplish all this.

Now, I finally had an opportunity to connect with her - someone who truly knew him, someone who could answer the questions I had been holding onto for so long.

If anyone knew Ryker best, it was her. I wanted to understand everything—his likes, his routines, and most importantly, how he was like growing up.

And hopefully, she could tell me what kind of mother Giselle had been to him.

"About Ryker, "I began, my voice tinged with the urgency of my curiosity. But before I could finish, Killian entered the room.

His presence was like a gust of wind, sharp and sudden. The nanny immediately stood, her head dipping in respect.

I straightened, my questions fading to the background as my gaze locked onto his.

Killian's eyes went straight to the plate in front of Ryker. He paused, his expression shifting from its usual guarded look to something closer to curiosity.

He stepped closer, and I could feel the tension build in the room as he studied the meal I had prepared. Ryker, unfazed by the new presence, continued eating as if nothing had changed.

Killian's eyes moved from the food to me, and for a brief moment, I caught a glimmer of something in his eyes- perhaps surprise, perhaps a hint of acknowledgment for my effort.

"You made this for him?" he asked, his tone still guarded, but there was a softness to it that I rarely heard.

I nodded. "I wanted to make sure he had something he liked. Ryder told me how particular he is."

For just a second, his expression

softened, and it felt like a small

victory "it's... impressive. For

Ryker

to eat his food, you have to reach a

certain level of perfection,"

A sense of triumph spread through me. He had noticed my effort, and, for once, it wasn't met with indifference.

I was about to respond when Ryker, sitting quietly in his chair, reached for a small notepad.

His brow furrowed as he scribbled something down, and then he held it up for us to see.

When I read the words, my breath caught in my throat: "Where is my mother?"

The nanny's breath hitched beside me, and her eyes darted to Killian, seeking his reaction.

For a moment, the room felt frozen, the question hanging heavy in the air.

I could feel my pulse quicken as my eyes flicked between Ryker's innocent, expectant gaze and Killian's face, which had gone rigid.

Killian's jaw tightened, the muscles in his neck straining as he absorbed Ryker's question.

The softness I had glimpsed in his eyes moments ago vanished, replaced by a familiar coldness.

He opened his mouth, hesitated, and then closed it again, as if weighing every word.

"Ryker," he said finally, his voice steady but laced with an edge of discomfort, "Ryker, just finish your meal first."

But Ryker didn't look away; his small, clear eyes remained locked onto Killian's face, waiting.

He held the notepad tighter, as if hoping that his question could somehow break through the silence that had stretched between them for so long.

I felt an ache in my chest, a longing to reach out and comfort him. His question, so simple yet so loaded, pulled at the very emotions I had been trying to keep in check noveldrama

en

"Your mom," I paused, as all eyes turned to me. "Your mom is..."

Oh how badly I wanted to tell him that his mother is me, standing right in front of me him, but I was reminded by Killian's words last night.

"Your mom is not here right now," I finally spoke, not letting my intrusive thoughts get the best of me.

"She... she had something to take care of that's why she had to leave," I felt bad for lying to him, but I had too.

I know it wouldn't sit right with him if I tell him that his mother is locked in the dungeons right now. Ryker's eyes lingered on me, as if willing me to continue, to explain where his mother really is.

My answer only seemed to left him with so many questions. I could

the confusion but he remaine

silent, his small hands clutching the notepad tighter.

The weight of my lie hung heavy between us, and guilt clawed at me.

I knew this wasn't fair to him, but the truth was too complicated, too harsh for a child his age to comprehend.