Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

DAY CARE

JOSH THE PRESENT

| walked into the daycare with Asha balanced on my hip, feeling like a giant in a world that wasn't built for me.

The room was alive with chatter, the unmistakable hum of moms exchanging stories about nap schedules,

tantrums, and organic snacks. | didn't miss the glances thrown my way, the double-takes, and the lingering

looks. | knew why-they'd seen the articles. "Famous NFL Defender Leaves Wife in Hospice and Starts New Life in

Texas."

The headlines had circulated like wildfire for weeks. Reporters camped outside my house, my gym, the grocery

store- anywhere they thought | might show up. I'd gotten through it by keeping my head down, refusing to

comment, and waiting for the storm to pass. Eventually, it did. But not before everyone had their opinions about

my choices.

Now, here | was, standing in the middle of a daycare center, clutching my daughter, and ignoring the stares of

judgment from a room full of women who didn't know the first thing about my life.

Jess had called a few nights ago, her tone surprisingly softer than usual. She didn't lecturefor once. Instead,

she asked about Asha and the nanny I'd hired after we moved. She even sounded almost proud when |

mentioned considering daycare. So, here | was- enrolling my daughter and trying to pretend like | belonged here.

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DAY CARE

The receptionist led us down a brightly lit hallway to a

classroom. The walls were painted a soft baby blue, and the ceiling was dotted with fluffy white clouds. A

rainbow stretched across the back wall, cheerful and hopeful in a way | hadn't felt in a long time.

At a small desk near the corner sat a woman, her dark curls tumbling over her face as she scribbled something

on a clipboard.

"l..... uh... hi," | mumbled, feeling uncharacteristically out of my depth as Asha tugged on my ear with her tiny

fingers.

The woman looked up, startled, her curls bouncing slightly as she straightened. Her glasses slid down her narrow

nose, and she pushed them back up in a practiced motion before smiling.

"Oh! Gosh. Hi. I'm Vivian. Or Miss Worth. Whichever you prefer, Mr. Saunders." Her words tumbled out in a

flustered rush, and I noticed how small she looked, sitting there in a chair that barely reached my knees. Even

standing, she wouldn't have cclose to my height.

| extended a hand, watching as she adjusted her glasses again, tugged at the hem of her already modest dress,

and finally reached out to shake it. Her hand was small and warm, and when she finally met my eyes, her

attention immediately shifted to Asha. "Oh, she's beautiful," she said, her voice soft and warm. "Hi, little lady!

Are you joining my class?"

Asha gave her one of her toothy grins, the kind that always seemed to light up any room she was in.

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258 Vouchers

"I bet you get your looks from your mother, don't you?" Miss Worth continued, her gaze locked on Asha as if she

hadn't just ripped my heart in half.

The sharp pain shot through my chest, stealing my breath for a moment. Laura. The mention of her-even

indirectly-still hurt like hell.

"I think it's really great that you're here," she went on, oblivious to the effect her words had on me. "It's usually

the moms, you know..."

"lI understand," | said, my tone sharper than | intended. Her head snapped up, and | saw the flicker of surprise in

her eyes before she quickly masked it.

| took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I understand | need to pick her up before 3 p.m., and if it's not me, my

nanny will pick her up. The details have been provided to the school. | was assured this place is the best and that

privacy is a priority. No photos of my daughter- ever. Callfor absolutely anything. Understand?"

Miss Worth nodded, her expression calm despite my gruff tone. She reached for Asha, who willingly leaned into

her arms, babbling happily as if she hadn't just leftfor a total stranger.

"Understood, Mr. Saunders," she said, her smile never wavering as she turned her attention back to Asha. "Your

dad runs a tight ship, doesn't he?" she added in a sing-song voice that made Asha giggle.

| shut my mouth, realizing | was clenching my jaw.

| moved toward the door, dropping Asha's bag by the entrance.

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288 Wouchers

Everything she could possibly need

was in there, along with detailed

instructions. The school had her

schedule her prafiéricas, her

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oerdied everything. They'd better be

thorough, especially for the price was

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paying. Miss Worth's voice floated

afteras | reached the doorway.

" | fl

We'll have a wonderful day. Don't

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you worry." The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

| paused, glancing back to see Asha

: : : '

already settling into Miss Worf

arms, "ey tig fiager$ fudging at one

ote curls dangling over her

shoulder. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

For a brief moment, | felt the ache in my chest lessen, just a little.

"Thank you," | said quietly, my voice softer this time.

Then | turned and walked out, the

'

sound of Asha's lqughter fQll6WINg

| Gi .