Chapter 5

Jasmine

I rock Bella in my arms. Her hands are still wrapped tightly around my neck. We never raised our voices at home. Even when we rarely disagreed. I can’t believe Christian Hayes is in my apartment. As entertaining as it was to watch him boot Mavis out, there will be repercussions for me on the legal front.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Shall we get you back to bed? Mr Hayes got rid of them.”

She shakes her head in my neck.

“You’re going to be too tired to play with all your friends in nursery tomorrow. How about I lie down with you?”

She pauses before she nods her head slightly.

When I look up to Mr Hayes, who is standing in the doorway watching us intently.

“Erm. Perhaps we can do this another day? I need to get Bella settled down again.”

“I can wait.”

Great, just what I need after the day I have had today.

Bella lifts her head to look at him before she shyly sticks her head back into my neck, making me smile. I walk past him and go towards Bella’s room.

“Do you need the bathroom before you go back to bed, baby?”

She shakes her head again. I carry her into her room. Pulling the covers back, I squeeze into bed with her. Once I cover her up, I run my hand over her forehead and into her hair.

“Mummy? Who is that man?”

“He is our landlord. That means he owns this building. We pay him money so we can live here.”

“Oh. Is he a nice man?”

I hesitate in answering her. I think he is a pompous asshole, but he didn’t need to help us tonight.

“Yes, baby. He is a nice man.”

She lets out a loud yawn before mumbling. “That’s nice.”

It doesn’t take long for her to fall asleep again. I delay in getting up because I know I need to face the formidable Mr Hayes. I take a long sigh as my shoulders slump down. My brain can’t take another battle right now.