Chapter 1

After they destroyed my face and left me for dead, I took on a new identity. I became an elite baby whisperer, charging millions for my uncanny ability to "translate" what infants wanted.

Unsurprisingly, the Sterling family paid a fortune to hire me to care for their sickly little heiress.

The moment I stepped through the front door, I "translated" the baby's cries:

"The little miss says that dog has to go. The dander is choking her."

"The little miss says the chef needs to be replaced. The food tastes terrible, and she refuses to eat it."

"The little miss says the driver has to be fired. He smells strange, and it's giving her a headache."

...

Marcus and Elena Sterling were skeptical at first. But every time they followed my advice, their daughter's pale cheeks flushed with healthy color. Slowly, their guard dropped.

In three years, I replaced nearly every staff member in the Sterling mansion.

I went from a humble nanny to the couple's most trusted confidante.

Then came the day the little girl suddenly reached out and slapped Elena across the face during playtime.

I threw myself in front of Elena, screaming in terror:

"Ma'am, get back! The little miss says she wants to kill you!"

"She says her real mother was Mr. Sterling's ex-wife, and that a nurse secretly swapped her with the true heiress at the hospital! She says the moment she grows up, you'll be the first person she murders!"

With my "baby translation" paving the way, the Sterlings successfully tracked down their real daughter.

Consumed by guilt, they spoiled her rotten.

So did I.

Because that little girl was my own flesh and blood.

"No way! That German Shepherd has guarded Mrs. Sterling for five years. He's practically human!"

"Ma'am, just look at her! The minute she walks in, she starts bossing everyone around. She's deliberately trying to tear this household apart!"

The woman speaking was Martha, the head housekeeper.

She shielded the barking dog with one hand, turning to look imploringly at Elena Sterling.

Naturally, Elena trusted her more. Frowning, she turned her cold gaze on me.

"Martha has a point."

"Julie, I paid top dollar for you to look after my Grace. You're a nanny. Instead of soothing my baby, you're telling me what pets I can keep in my own house. All this talk about 'understanding baby language'—I'm starting to think you're nothing but a fraud."

Her harsh words didn't rattle me. Cradling the infant in my arms, I stepped toward the open French window.

A gentle breeze drifted in, carrying the fresh scent of cut grass.

"Ma'am, babies have far more sensitive noses than adults. The little miss says the dog hair floating in the air makes it hard for her to breathe."

"Look. She's already stopped crying."

Elena glanced down at the baby in my arms. Grace had indeed quieted down.

The suspicion in Elena's eyes melted into smug satisfaction.

"I guess the rumors are true. You really are an elite baby whisperer."

Elena snapped her fingers at the guards. "What are you standing around for? Take that mutt away immediately. Don't let it bother my Grace for another second!"

With Elena's command, Martha didn't dare say another word.

She shot me a venomous glare before dragging the snarling dog away.

As the barking faded into the distance, I looked down at the sleeping child and smiled faintly.

This was only the first step.

There were plenty more filthy things in this house that needed cleaning out.

By the fourth month, the baby began trying solid foods. She threw up violently after the very first spoonful.

"Ma'am, the little miss says the chef needs to go. The food tastes awful, and she won't eat it."

I had the chef replaced.

By the sixth month, the baby had to go in for her vaccinations. The moment she was placed in the back seat, she wailed uncontrollably.

"Sir, the little miss says the driver has to be replaced. He has a strange odor that's giving her a headache."

I had the driver fired.

In the seventh month, I finally came face-to-face with the master of the house, Marcus Sterling.

I didn't dare look him directly in the eye. I kept my head bowed, my fingernails digging so hard into my palms that they drew blood.

Fortunately, Elena only gave him a brief introduction before handing the baby to me for her nap.

I nodded politely, turning to leave.

Suddenly, Marcus called out.

"Where are you from, Miss Adams? Why do you look so familiar to me?"

My entire body froze. Had I slipped up somewhere?

I turned around with an easy, practiced smile. "You must be mistaken, Mr. Sterling. I grew up upstate."

Marcus gave a slow nod. His dark, unreadable eyes swept up and down my body before waving me off.

Over the next few days, I felt his gaze lingering on me far too often.

Then came this morning. Before heading to the office, Marcus slipped into my quarters and pressed a velvet jewelry box into my hand.

"Thank you for taking such good care of Grace. You deserve this."

I took it with trembling fingers.

Two steps out of my room, I slammed right into Elena.

"You dirty little slut!"

Slap!

Her palm struck my cheek with brutal force.

"I hired you to watch my daughter, and you have the nerve to seduce my husband?!"

"Pack your bags and get the hell out of my house!"