The Scott mansion, the following morning. Catherine is in the kitchen, trying to make breakfast. Chaos reigns.
The whiff of burnt toast permeated the spacious kitchen, combining with the cloying sweetness of spilled orange juice. Catherine coughed, waving away the smoke as she rescued another burned piece from the toaster. This was not going according to plan.
She had envisioned a calm morning, preparing a healthy meal for the twins and starting her day on a pleasant note. Instead, she was confronting a gastronomic calamity, planned by two pint-sized agents of chaos.
Lois, dressed in a princess costume and a tiara that was slightly askew, grinned as she smeared a handful of jam across Victor's face. Victor, normally quiet and reserved, replied by dumping a bowl of cereal over her head.
"Stop it!" Catherine exclaimed, attempting to keep her voice quiet. "This is not how we behave at the breakfast table."
Lois scowled at her, her blue eyes sparkling with disdain. "You're not my mother!" she spat. "You can't tell me what to do."
Ouch. That ached more than she wanted to admit.
"I'm your nanny, Lois," Catherine responded, trying a grin. "And I'm attempting to cook you breakfast. But I can't do it if you're tossing food at each other."
"I don't want your breakfast," Lois responded. "I want my mommy."
The mention of their mother drew a quiet over the room. Victor's expression clouded with sadness, and Lois's defiance trembled for a moment. Catherine took the opportunity.
"I know you miss your mommy," she replied, her voice kind. "But she wouldn't want you to be unhappy. Let's try to have a wonderful day, okay? I swear, we can do something enjoyable later."
Lois crossed her arms and pouted, but she didn't dispute. Victor, ever the mediator, nodded.
"Can we draw?" he inquired, his voice barely audible. "Like Mommy used to do?"
Catherine smiled. "Of course, we can. But first, let's clean up this mess."
A few minutes later, the kitchen is slightly cleaner. Catherine is striving to salvage the brunch scenario. Liam enters, looking astonishingly attractive in a pristine white shirt and stylish trousers.
The kitchen was still a catastrophe zone, but at least the food war had been contained. Catherine was scrambling eggs, attempting to salvage something edible, when Liam stepped in.
He hesitated in the doorway, his eyes sweeping over the tumultuous scene. She could just feel his contempt radiating towards her.
"Good morning, Mr. Scott," she said, attempting to seem happy.
He raised an eyebrow. "Is this what you consider 'good'?"
She reddened, felt her cheeks heat. "It was a bit… hectic," she admits. "But we're getting there."
Lois pushed her tongue out at Catherine behind Liam's back. Victor, however, offered her a modest, sorry grin.
Liam's glare softened somewhat as he glanced at his children. "What's for breakfast?" he said.
"Scrambled eggs," Catherine said. "If they're not too burnt."
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shudder down her spine. "I think I can handle scrambled eggs. I'll prepare the coffee."
He proceeded to the coffee machine, his motions smooth and efficient. Catherine watched him, enthralled. He was so different from the chilly, frightening man she had encountered yesterday.
"So," he said, without turning around. "How was your first night?"
"It was… uneventful," she responded, carefully avoiding his stare. She didn't want to tell him about the uneasy feeling she got, the idea that she was being watched.
"Good," he said. "I expect you to maintain a professional demeanor at all times, Miss Hayes. I don't tolerate drama."
"Of course, Mr. Scott," she answered, her voice chilly.
The coffee machine hissed, filling the kitchen with the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Liam poured two drinks, presenting one to her.
"Thank you," she murmured, taking a sip. The coffee was strong and steaming, knocking away the last remnants of sleep.
Their fingers met as she grasped the cup, sending a thrill of electricity through her. She hastily took her hand away, her cheeks flaming again.
He smirked, a knowing twinkle in his eyes. "Careful, Miss Hayes," he murmured, his voice low. "Wouldn't want you to spill your coffee."
Later that morning, Catherine is in the garden with Victor, teaching him how to draw. Lois watches from a distance, her expression opaque.
The gardens around the Scott estate were a sanctuary of beautiful flowers and towering trees. Catherine and Victor sat on a seat by a koi pond, sketching in their notebooks. Victor, unexpectedly talented, was drawing a detailed picture of a butterfly.
"That's beautiful, Victor," Catherine replied, truly amazed. "You have a real gift."
Victor reddened, dropping his head shamefully. "Mommy used to say that too," he muttered.
Catherine's heart ached for him. "Your mommy was right," she replied, gently. "You're very talented."
Lois watched them from a distance, her arms folded and her expression enigmatic. Catherine tried to smile at her, but Lois just turned away.
She sighed. Breaking past Lois's defenses was going to be a task.
"Do you miss your mommy a lot?" Catherine asked Victor, her voice quiet.
He nodded, his eyes filled with tears. "Every day," he whispered.
"It's okay to miss her," Catherine replied, placing her arm around him. "It's acceptable to be sad. But she wouldn't want you to feel sad all the time. She would want you to be happy."
"How do you know?" Victor asked, staring up at her with big, innocent eyes.
Catherine hesitated. How much should she reveal?
"I know what it's like to lose someone you love," she replied, her voice low. "And I know that it hurts. But it gets better. It takes time, but it gets better."
She didn't elaborate, but Victor seemed to understand. He leaned into her, seeking comfort.
Isabelle comes at the manor, unannounced. She confronts Catherine in the library.
The tranquility of the afternoon was disrupted by the arrival of Isabelle. Catherine was in the library, trying to tidy the overflowing volumes, when Isabelle rushed in, her eyes flashing with rage.
"What do you think you're doing?" Isabelle demanded, her voice dripping with hate.
Catherine straightened up, trying to appear cool. "I'm organizing the books," she said. "Mr. Scott asked me to."
"You think you can just waltz in here and take over?" Isabelle scoffed. "You're nothing but a glorified babysitter."
"I'm doing my job," Catherine said, her voice steely. "And I'm doing it well."
"Oh, I've seen the way you look at Liam," Isabelle remarked, her eyes furrowed. "Don't think I don't know what you're after. You believe you can replace Elizabeth? You think you can become the next Mrs. Scott?"
Catherine gasped, her cheeks blazing. "That's ridiculous," she remarked. "I would never-"
"Don't lie to me," Isabelle yelled. "I know your kind. You're a gold digger, just like all the others."
She stepped closer to Catherine, her face inches from hers. "Stay away from Liam," she hissed. "Or you'll regret it."
As Isabelle stormed out of the library, leaving Catherine quivering with fury and dread, the weird feeling she had last night came back, stronger than ever. Was Isabelle merely envious, or was she hiding something more sinister? And what was Catherine willing to do to defend herself, and the children she was starting to care for?