The arrival of Ryan's parents, Eleanor and Charles Blackwood, was like the arrival of a storm, swift and overwhelming. Their private jet had landed in the morning, and by noon, they were already at Blackwood Manor, stepping out of a sleek black car and into the grand foyer. Sofia had been told about them, of course—whispers from the other staff members, cautionary tales about their demanding nature and icy presence. But nothing could have prepared her for the reality of meeting them face-to-face.
Eleanor Blackwood, tall and imposing, was a woman who commanded attention without saying a word. Her silver hair was pulled back tightly into a neat bun, and her eyes—sharp, piercing—seemed to look right through Sofia. She exuded an air of authority, as though the world had to bend to her will. Beside her stood Charles Blackwood, her husband—a man of quiet strength. His reserved demeanor suggested a man used to being in control, and his gaze, though softer than his wife's, was no less assessing. Together, they were a formidable force.
"Ah, so you must be Sofia," Eleanor said, her voice cool and polished, yet there was an underlying sharpness to her words, like a blade hidden in velvet. Her eyes traveled over Sofia, taking in her simple dress and unassuming posture with a look that was hard to place, but unmistakably critical. "It's good to finally meet you. We've heard so much about you from Ryan."
Sofia tried to mask her nervousness with a polite smile, her heart beating faster than she would have liked. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Blackwood," she replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. "I've been enjoying my time here with Lily."
Eleanor's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, her lips curling into a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm sure you have," she said with a slight tilt of her head. "Ryan has spoken highly of you. Lily's affection for you is… quite apparent." The subtle emphasis on the word affection made Sofia's skin prickle, as though she were under a microscope.
Before Sofia could respond, Charles spoke up, his voice deep and calm. "We're looking forward to spending time with you and Lily, Sofia. We haven't seen our son in quite some time."
Sofia nodded, not quite knowing what else to say. She could feel the weight of their scrutiny like a heavy mantle pressing down on her. They're just getting to know me, she told herself. No need to make it harder.
The next few days passed in a blur of high-society events—dinners, cocktail parties, and meetings with family friends. Ryan's parents were everywhere, and Sofia was expected to be at their beck and call, always in the background, quietly attending to their needs. It was a world of rules and expectations that Sofia wasn't sure she belonged in, yet she couldn't escape. She kept her head down, focused on her duties, trying to remain invisible, while still being there for Lily.
But Eleanor had other plans.
One evening, after the family had returned from a particularly lavish dinner, Sofia was in the kitchen, preparing a late meal for the Blackwoods. The house was quiet, save for the sounds of her chopping vegetables and the soft hum of the refrigerator. She hadn't noticed Eleanor entering until the woman's voice rang out, sharp and direct.
"Sofia," Eleanor said, her tone clipped. Sofia turned, her stomach tightening as she met Eleanor's cold, assessing gaze. "We need to talk."
Sofia's pulse quickened, and she wiped her hands on her apron. "Of course, Mrs. Blackwood. Is something wrong?"
Eleanor's lips thinned, and she stepped closer, her eyes never leaving Sofia's face. "We've been hearing some things about you," she said, her voice lowering just enough to make Sofia's skin crawl.
Sofia felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She knew what this was about. The whispers had already begun among the other maids—rumors about her relationship with Ryan, about her influence over him, about her involvement with his personal life. She had tried to ignore them, to keep her focus on Lily, but it seemed that Eleanor had already caught wind of them.
"What things, Mrs. Blackwood?" Sofia asked, keeping her voice steady even though her heart was pounding in her chest.
Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "We've been told that you've been spending quite a bit of time with Ryan," she said slowly, her voice laced with disapproval. "And that you've been reading his personal journals."
Sofia froze, her stomach churning with a mixture of shock and anger. How dare they? she thought. How dare they assume the worst of me?
"I was just trying to understand him," Sofia said, her voice trembling despite her efforts to keep it calm. "I was trying to help him through his grief."
"Help him?" Eleanor repeated, her voice rising with incredulity. "You're a nanny, Sofia. Your job is to care for Lily, not to interfere in Ryan's life." Her gaze was hard, cold. "Your place is not to be meddling in matters that don't concern you."
Sofia's cheeks flushed with anger, but she kept her voice steady. "I'm not meddling," she said, her tone sharp now. "I'm just trying to be a good person, to help him heal."
Eleanor scoffed, her expression imperious. "Good people don't pry into other people's private lives," she said, her voice like ice. "Good people don't go digging through personal journals."
Sofia wanted to shout, to defend herself, to make Eleanor see the truth, but she knew it would be futile. The Blackwoods had made their judgments, and there was no way to change their minds now. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Blackwood," she said quietly, her voice small. "I didn't mean to overstep."
Eleanor's lips curled into a thin smile. "You'd best remember your place, Sofia," she said, her voice low and threatening. "Ryan's happiness is of the utmost importance to us. And we won't tolerate anyone who threatens it."
The words hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. Sofia nodded mutely, not trusting herself to speak. Eleanor turned on her heel, her silver hair flashing like a warning, and left the kitchen without another word.
Sofia stood there, her hands shaking as she tried to regain her composure. The silence in the room was deafening. She had been warned about the Blackwoods, but nothing had prepared her for the cold, calculated cruelty of Eleanor's words. They had been right—she was nothing more than a hired hand in their eyes, someone to be tolerated until they saw fit to dismiss her.
And yet, in that moment, Sofia made a vow to herself. She would not be intimidated. She would stay true to herself, even if it meant standing alone against the Blackwoods. Because, in the end, it wasn't their approval she sought—it was Lily's. And Lily needed her.