Paige's POV
I tucked Alex into bed, kissing his cheeks and forehead before turning off the lights and leaving the door open, just in case. As I walked out, I sighed tiredly, running my hand through my hair. Today was chaotic, and I was grateful to have made it through. After a quick shower, I put on a comfortable black shirt and loose shorts, ready for bed. I reviewed the work I had left unfinished since I had to pick Alex up from school, reminding me that I needed to hire a nanny to help me both physically and emotionally. I couldn't keep enduring the harsh comments from people who were growing suspicious of my denial about my son.
The next morning, I woke up late, realizing I was running behind schedule. I quickly showered and dressed in a professional pink blouse and black pencil skirt, trying to look presentable despite the chaos in my mind. I checked on Alex, who was already dressed and waiting for me, his big blue eyes gazing up at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. I took him to McDonald's for breakfast and lunch before dropping him off at school and heading to work, feeling guilty for not having enough time to prepare a homemade meal.
As I arrived at the office, Grayson commented, "Miss Moretti, you're lucky you made it just in time." Vanessa stood beside him, smirking, which I found infuriating. Her condescending gaze made me feel like an inferior employee, and I struggled to maintain my composure. Grayson asked if I had finished the work from the previous day, and I assured him I had, trying to sound confident despite my exhaustion. He then asked me to help Vanessa finish her work since she was "unwell" and had to leave early. I knew it was a lie, but I couldn't say anything. Vanessa's fake sick leave was a familiar tactic, and I was tired of covering for her.
After Vanessa left, she stopped by my office, saying, "Thank you so much, Paige. It's so nice of you to volunteer to finish up my share of the work." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, and I gave her a fake smile, saying, "My pleasure. You should be resting, not working." She rolled her eyes and left, muttering "Bitch" under her breath. I bit my tongue, refusing to engage in her petty games.
At lunchtime, I prepared myself for a break, relieved to have a call from a potential nanny for Alex. I met her at a nearby cafe and discussed the details, feeling a sense of hope that I might finally find someone to help me balance my work and motherhood. When I returned to the office, Grayson informed me about an upcoming meeting with R&J Technologies, a significant client. He seemed proud to be working with them, but I was more concerned about the meeting's details, which I forgot to ask about. I made a mental note to review the files and prepare for the meeting, hoping I wouldn't let my personal struggles affect my work.