The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 535

After lunch, Lanny didn’t drift into his usual nap. Instead, he lay there making little noises, stretching out his arms, squirming restlessly.

“He gets a little bigger every day, doesn’t he? Wants to be carried around now,” Alexa remarked, watching Catherine’s face for any hint of her mood. Unable to read her, Alexa stuck to talking about Lanny, hoping it would keep things light.

Catherine reclined on the sofa, her gaze lingering on Lanny. A simple, indifferent hum was her only answer.

“Catherine, don’t be too—”

The sharp trill of the doorbell cut Alexa short.

Catherine sat up instantly, eyes darting toward the entryway.

“Maybe that’s Lorinda,” Alexa said, already rising to her feet. “I’ll get the door!”

“Wait!” Catherine called after her. “Check who it is first.”

Alexa, smile in place, headed for the door, talking as she went. “Who else would it be but Lorinda? You don’t have any other friends in Eldervale. You two are close—whatever this spat is will pass soon. Lorinda’s not the type to—”

Over the years she’d worked for Catherine and Lorinda, Alexa had never seen them with any friends besides Gavin. Lance and Harrell had shown up for Lanny’s baby shower, but they’d seemed more like acquaintances brought in to fill seats than real friends.

Convinced it was Lorinda, Alexa didn’t bother to check. She just opened the door.

She froze. A total stranger stared back at her.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m here to see Catherine,” the woman—Adela—said, sizing Alexa up. She reached into her purse and produced a thick stack of cash, holding it out. “You’re the nanny, right? Pack up your things. We won’t be needing you anymore.”

Alexa stared, wide-eyed, at the wad of bills, momentarily stunned into silence.

A cold sense of dread washed over Catherine at the sound of the stranger's voice. She stood up and started toward the doorway.

Catherine shifted away from Adela’s hands. “He’s not good with strangers.”

Geoffrey set Adela’s bag on the couch and came over, asking, “Is it a boy?”

“Shh,” Adela hushed him, poking him in the side before flashing Catherine a bright smile. “Catherine, the paternity results must be in by now, yes? Do you believe us now?”

Seeing that Catherine knew these people, Alexa slipped off to the kitchen to pour some water.

“Catherine, why don’t you sit and talk? I’ll take Lanny.”

“I’ve told you—you can leave now.” Adela’s words came out sharp, clearly annoyed at Alexa’s interruption.

“You’re unbelievable,” Alexa muttered, shaking her head. Then, turning to Catherine, she said, “If you really don’t need me anymore, just tell me. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

Catherine darted a glance at the Lees, then handed Lanny over to Alexa. “Take him upstairs for a nap.”