Ashley's heart pounded as she stood outside the homeschooling room, she watched Anna seated by the window being ignored like she was nothing. It wasn't just neglect. It was indifference—cold and careless. No child deserved that. Especially not one as bright and gentle as Anna.
She pushed open the door with a force she didn't intend.
"Excuse me, ma'am, " Ashley said, her voice calm but sharp and annoyed.
Clarissa startled, quickly flipping her phone over on the table as if she could erase the hour-long evidence of negligence.
"Oh—is there any problem? Can I help you?" she asked, adjusting her glasses and sitting up straighter.
Ashley took a glance at Anna, who hadn't moved and then turned back to the teacher. The little girl still sat by the window admiring the garden from below.
"You can start by explaining to me what kind of teacher spends an entire lesson giggling at her phone while her student is on her phone or doing something else."
The teacher bristled. "Excuse you!?"
"You heard me," Ashley replied, stepping fully into the room now. "You weren't teaching her. All I saw was you giving her a video of something to watch and write down a few hours ago. Now you're on your phone?."
"I don't answer to nannies," the teacher snapped, rising from her chair. "Maybe you're new here, but I've been handling Anna's lessons for months, and she's doing just fine. And maybe if you were educated and had a job. You wouldn't be here to witness any of this. So bring the food you have to and leave."
Ashley narrowed her eyes. "This is a child who can't speak and needs the most help. She's not in school because she needs more attention to be better. And what do you do? Stare at your phone the whole time? Insult me for caring. What type of woman are you?"
The teacher's face flushed deep red. "I said, I don't answer to —"
Before Ashley could speak again, the teacher took a step forward and slapped her across the face.
The sound echoed like thunder.
And she completed her word "___you. Don't you ever question anything I do again."
Ashley staggered back a step, hand to her cheek in stunned silence. The room fell deathly quiet.
Just then, Thelma and Marie came rushing into the hallway, having heard the sound. Marie stopped first, eyes widening as she took in the sight.
"Oh my God—" Thelma said, rushing to Ashley's side.
"What is going on here?" Marie asked, arms folded, already frowning.
"She hit me ," Ashley said quietly, still holding her cheek. "I confronted her about neglecting Anna and she slapped me."
"Neglect?" the teacher laughed bitterly. "You know nothing about this house or this child. You're here for five minutes and suddenly you're the saint? These people go through nannies like coffee filters—because none of you can handle it! You both have seen me all this while teaching Anna. Do you think I'd neglect her?"
"What," Marie snapped. "You just arrived Ashley for crying out loud. What do you even mean?"
Thelma raised a brow. "Keep quiet Marie" she muttered.
"Stop acting like you're on her side."
Thelma whipped her head toward Marie. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I said what I said," Marie replied coolly.
Ashley shook her head. "I don't care about your drama. Someone needs to call Sir. He needs to hear this. Right now."
"Already on it," Thelma said, pulling out her phone.
The teacher folded her arms. "You're making a huge mistake. Do you think Peter will be happy to know you're accusing me of this? And if it's true, why didn't any of you realise it till now."
Ashley's voice was ice. "No, you made a huge mistake when you put your phone above your student."
"I think she's right, Ash," Thelma said, turning to Ashley. Maybe you were mistaken.
" I can't believe any of you in this house."
The teacher turned looking at Anna as if gesturing they continue from where they ended .
Ashley looked at Anna again and stormed out of the room in anger.
It was late in the evening and Peter returned.
He saw Ashley's mood the whole time and turned to her.
"What happened?" His voice was low, controlled.
Ashley looked at the maids and then turned back to Peter . "Nothing sir."
But smart little Anna watched everything.
The next day she showed her dad her tablet. "Can you watch me study dad? Not from the room but outside. Like a check up."
"Why Annie?" He asked.
"Can you do it dad?" She handed the tablet to him again . Annie rarely asked her dad for favors so he thought it was okay for him to get her that wish.
The next day, everything went on as usual and it was time for Anna's class.
Two hours had gone by and Peter decided to check on Anna. He saw the teacher on her phone for quite a while as he stood outside and thought maybe she had something to attend to or was going through something to help Anna.
He returned two hours later and saw the same situation.
He stormed in with anger and asked what was going on
"Sir__sir I-i" the teacher stuttled.
The loud noise of Peter gathered the servants in Anna's room again.
Peter turned to the servants. "Why didn't any of you tell me this had been happening."
Thelma looked at Ashley and then Marie, Marie gestured for her to not speak , but she did anyway.
"Sir" she said. "Ashley noticed it but was slapped and threatened by the teacher. We could speak either out of fear.
"What!?" Peter yelled.
Peter's gaze slid to Clarissa. "Is that true?"
"She barged in yelling accusations—"
"Did you slap her?" he asked again, this time firmer.
Clarissa hesitated, then lifted her chin. "Yes. Because she was disrespectful—"
"You're fired," Peter said simply.
"What?" Clarissa gasped. "You can't be serious!"
Peter stepped closer, voice like cut steel. "I gave you the responsibility of guiding my daughter.You didn't only ignore her. But you laid a hand on someone in my home? Pack your things. You're gone."
"Of course then. Let's see who can deal with your annoying daughter anyways."
Clarissa looked at Marie and Thelma, but both were silent. Even Marie, smug as ever, didn't come to her defense. Clarissa stormed out in disbelief, heels clicking against the marble floor.
Peter raised his hand to his head taking a deep sigh covering his eyes and then raked through his hair.
"Are you okay baby?" He asked. Anna gave a slight nod
He responded with a nod too. "We'll find someone better. For now, keep doing what you're doing."
Anna gave a small nod
Later that afternoon, after a quiet lunch, the house stirred again. An important investor was due to arrive. The entire staff was on edge. Marie polished the entry table for the third time, muttering about "first impressions" while James swept through like a storm ensuring everything was perfect.
Ashley helped Anna dress in a simple cream dress and soft sandals. She braided her hair gently, making sure each strand was tucked in place.
"You look beautiful, sweetie," she whispered.
Anna gave a small smile."
Ashley stepped out of the room, checking her phone for the time. 4:02 PM.
She started down the long hallway toward the foyer, smoothing her dress as she walked. Her head was full of thoughts—about Clarissa, about Peter, about the strange atmosphere in the mansion.
She almost didn't see him.
He was standing at the end of the hallway, just near the double doors.
Wearing a grey tailored suit, crisp white shirt, and holding a leather portfolio under one arm.
Daniel.
Her Daniel.
Ashley stopped in her tracks.
His eyes lifted—and froze.
For a moment, the world stood still.
Their eyes locked across the hall, a million emotions flashing in an instant. Confusion. Shock. And something else—something deeper.
Ashley's breath caught.
Daniel's lips parted, stunned. "Ash?"
She stepped back slightly. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Pe
ter looked at both of them, he was more surprised than he has been in a while.