Chapter 3
Today marks exactly four years since my father was imprisoned—unjustly. He wasn't to blame for what happened. His car skidded on the road, a moment's lapse, and unfortunately that couple was there at the wrong place, wrong time.
By then I was already living with my grandmother.
After Mom passed away, my father gave up on life—lost the company he loved so much.
He drank every day, except when he came to visit me, and that day was supposed to be one of those visits.
He was on his way here—he always brought me presents—but on that fateful day, he never showed up.
When we learned he'd been in an accident, we rushed to the hospital but couldn't find him there. He wasn't at his house either.
So I waited, until the day he finally came and told me the woman had died—and that it was his fault.
We tried to calm him down, but nothing helped.
He blamed himself, and nothing and no one could change his mind.
Maybe it was because he'd already lost my mother and abandoned me, but I didn't blame him for any of it.
Now I'm in law school—it hasn't been easy, but I managed to get a scholarship to the best law school in the country. I visit my father when I can, which isn't often. I have to help Grandma at home too.
I've always been smart. Top of my class, spending nights studying—all because I believe that together with my father's lawyer, I can get him out before he serves the full ten years they gave him.
He already had a hearing, but even with excellent behavior, he couldn't get released.
There's always some obstacle that comes up, and we can't figure out where it's coming from.
My grandmother supports me because she knows my father—knows he would never kill anyone, not intentionally.
Yes, he had his problems, but he was a good man, hardworking.
If it weren't for Mom's death, he'd be doing well right now.
He was always a dedicated professional, had many clients back then who kept renewing their contracts.
That's why I decided to do everything in my power to help him. Owen Blake is now a renowned judge with a reputation for being relentless in the cases he takes on. That makes things difficult for us, but I'll never give up.
I've been investigating his life, closely following everything that happens at his house.
I know about his four-year-old daughter—at least the baby survived, otherwise things would be even worse.
But he keeps going through nannies. I don't know why.
I think it's because he's difficult to live with, especially after losing his wife.
So my plan is to get the job as the child's nanny. I'm still figuring out how, but I will succeed.
“Still thinking about that, dear?”
“About what, Grandma?”
“Being a nanny.”
“It's necessary. Something's not right, and I have to find out what. My father had a hearing, and he should have at least gotten a sentence reduction, but he didn't even get that.”
“Owen Blake isn't a man who messes around. It's going to be hard to beat him.”
“I know, but I'm going to try everything. My father wasn't at fault, and it's unfair for him to pay for something he didn't do.”
“I can imagine how much you're suffering. Your father has always been a good and honest man. He would never hurt anyone.”
“That's exactly why I have to help him, Grandma.”
“And what do you plan to do?”
“I'm going to be his daughter's nanny,” I say, feeling proud as I watch my grandmother's face fill with shock.
“You must be out of your mind. And tell me, how are you going to get into his house? Don't you think he'll investigate you?”
“My last name has nothing to do with my father's. I've been living with you for years now, so I don't think he'll be able to find out anything about me.”
“You really are crazy. How do you plan to pull this off?”
“Nothing a little money can't fix.”
My grandmother stares at me, astonished, probably trying to figure out what I'm planning. So I decide to tell her everything, and when I finish, she just says:
“Just be very careful. I don't want to lose you too. I already lost my daughter.”
“Nothing's going to happen to me, Grandma. Don't worry.”
And so I start planning everything. It has to go perfectly, or I'm screwed. My father's lawyer will help me, of course, but for this to work, I need to hire someone. I'm thinking about this when my phone rings.
“Hi, Jhonatan, how are you?” He's my father's lawyer and also my professor at school.
“I'm good, Amy. Are you ready to move?”
“Did you get what I asked for?”
“Yes, but we need to find someone to make the payment, and it has to be in cash.”
“I know. I have a good amount with me. I've always liked keeping cash on hand for emergencies—and well, here we are.”
“Amy, are you sure you want to do this? You know better than anyone that it's wrong.”
“To get my father out of there, I'll do anything.”
“Then let's get organized so everything goes according to plan.”
“I'm more than ready, Jhon. I'm going to get my father out of there.”
“As soon as I have news, I'll get in touch.”
“I'll be waiting.”
I say and hang up. Jonathan Bailey is a friend of my father’s, even though he’s much younger. He took over his father’s position as the company’s lawyer and is now handling the case my dad is involved in. He shares my opinion that it was all a misunderstanding.
Because of that, he’s helping me. Even though he thinks what I have in mind is crazy, he’s supporting me—because this is how we’re going to get my father out of jail, or at least that’s what I hope.
So everything has to go absolutely perfectly.
Yes, it’s wrong, but I’ll do everything in my power, and I’m going to get Mr. James out of that hellhole.