Page 5 of Be My Traitor

“But I want to do the pienow!” Amber’s face crumpled up. She’d always had a temper and on a day like today, a tantrum was the last thing I needed.

“Claire, would you be able to stay with Amber?” I asked. “I’ve really got to go and see Ivy.”

“Sorry, Milly,” Claire replied. “Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I’ve got a hot date tonight and having to cover your meeting has already made me late.”

“In that case, kiddo, you’re going to have to suck it up.” I put Amber on the floor. “Go get your coat and I’ll order a driver to take us. Maybe we can have some cookies on the journey.”

Cookies were the magic cure to everything. I knew I shouldn’t bribe her with food. Before she was born, I’d promised myself I was only going to feed my daughter organic food, no sugar, nothing but wholesome, healthy ingredients. That quickly went out the window as I discovered how exhausting solo parenting really was. Sometimes, it was easier to head off the tantrum before it started, particularly when I was reeling from Lucas’s return.

“Chocolate chip cookies?” Amber side eyed me suspiciously.

“Sure,” I replied, hoping we still had some tucked away in the cupboard.

“I’ll get them for you,” Claire offered, while Amber went to fetch her coat. I picked up the family intercom and pressed the button to order a driver. Soon, Amber was safely strapped into her car seat munching on a cookie, legs happily kicking away while the driver took us the short distance to the Archaic estate. Normally I’d drive myself, but I needed wine and what was the point in being the heir to House Knight if I couldn’t indulge myself in a few little luxuries every now and then?

“Milly! This is an unexpected pleasure.” Romeo answered the door to us. “And how’s my favourite little girl?” He leaned forward to give Amber a high five.

“I got a cookie, Uncle Romy!” Amber held up the soggy mess that was what was left of her last cookie.

“Aren’t you lucky? Can I have some?” Romy pretended to reach out for Amber’s cookie and she snatched it away, giggling.

“Silly Uncle Romy! It’smycookie!”

“In that case, I’d better go and get some cookies of my own. Do you want to come with me?” He reached out a hand to Amber, who happily took it.

“Would you mind making sure she eats something a little healthier as well?” I asked Romy. “She hasn’t had dinner yet.”

“No problem. Chef was just starting on dinner for Louis. I’ll get him to make an extra portion. Ivy’s up in the nursery.”

Romy took Amber in the direction of the kitchen, my daughter chatting away nineteen to the dozen as she skipped along next to him. I smiled sadly, wondering whether her beautiful innocence would last once news of who her father was got out.

Ivy. Ivy would know what to do. My best friend always had the answer to everything. She’d gone against House tradition to live with three men, all of whom adored her. This would be an easy fix for her after everything she’d been through.

I went up the stairs to the nursery. When Ivy first found out she was pregnant, she’d spent hours consulting with interior designers, determined to create the most beautiful nursery possible for her child. When she found out she was expecting a boy, she’d covered the walls with murals of sea creatures, creating a soothing watery retreat. I had no idea she was such a talented artist – her dad had forced her to choose between music and art when she went to the Academy. I always wondered whether he realised exactly what he was making her give up. She could easily have gone professional with her art, but instead, she’d poured all her energies into transforming House Archaic from the corrupt organisation her father had created into an altruistic company which did as much work to help struggling communities as it did its core money making activities.

“Annie Mimi!” Louis, Ivy’s adorable one-year-old son, came running over to me as I entered the nursery. He’d only recently started walking, but since he’d mastered the use of his legs, he seemed determined to get everywhere as quickly as he could, like he was in a rush to cram in all the things life had to offer. He couldn’t sayAuntie Millyproperly yet, but I loved the way he pronounced my name and hoped I’d always be Annie Mimi to him.

I had no idea which of Ivy’s three lovers was Louis’s father. I wasn’t even sure if Ivy herself knew. But it didn’t matter – the three men all doted on Louis and they were all happy to share parenting duties, regardless of whether they were known as Dad, Daddy, or Papa.

I knelt down and gave the little boy a huge hug as he threw himself at me. “Hey, Lou-Boy,” I said. “How’s my favourite little man?”

“Happy as ever.” I stood up as Ivy came up to join us. I hugged my best friend hello, holding onto her for a little longer than usual. I needed the reassurance of the physical contact.

When we broke apart, Ivy put her hands on my waist and held me in place so she could get a good look at my face. “All right, Mills. Spill it. Something’s happened. What is it?”

“Lucas.” I could barely say the word without my voice cracking.

“Lucas?” Ivy frowned. “What’s he done now?”

“He’s taken over as head at the Academy.”

“Mother-” Ivy caught herself just before she could say something she didn’t want her son repeating. “Why on earth would he want to come back? He must know that nobody wants him here.”

“I don’t know, but there’s something I haven’t told you. Something about Lucas.”

“You need wine, don’t you?”

I nodded miserably as Ivy scooped up her son and blew a raspberry on his tummy. “Come on, munchkin. Let’s find Papa.”

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