MY DAUGHTER LED ME TO MY MATE

CHAPTER 1

Emma's POV

“Mommy, I want Josie to play my mommy in the school presentation.”

I sat across from my little boy, Jordan, in the cozy eatery, his eyes sparkling as he munched on his favorite chicken nuggets.

It felt like an eternity since I'd last seen him, thanks to my duties with the moonbound pack. But I'd finally made it back to the city, and the first thing I'd done was rush to his school to pick him up.

Hearing his words, I felt guilty and sad.

It wasn't the first time he'd asked about Josie, but it still hurt. I knew he missed her, and I did too. But I was his mom, and I should be the one he looked up to, not his nanny.

But as I looked into his eyes, my heart softened. Josie had been more than just a nanny to Jordan; she'd been there for him when I couldn't, and I knew she'd done an amazing job.

“Hey, sweetie,” I said, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Josie's not here right now, but I'm sure she'd love to be a part of your presentation if she could be.”

Jordan's face fell, but I quickly added. “But you know what? I think it's a great idea that we ask her to be a part of it. She's an important person in your life, and I'm sure she'd love to be there.”

I remembered the countless times Josie stayed up late with him, soothing his nightmares, and the countless mornings she'd gotten him dressed and ready for school, and I was grateful for that.

“Okay, mommy.”

I smiled. “Okay, sweetie. We'll ask Josie to be a part of your presentation. I'm sure she'll be thrilled.”

As we finished our lunch, I couldn't help but smile a bit. Josie has been an amazing nanny.

But what made my smile widen was another thought.

Today was the day I'd been planning for weeks. It was Daniel's and my anniversary, and I was determined to surprise Daniel. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when I walked through the door with Jordan's hand in mine.

As we pulled up to the mansion, Jordan's excitement was, well, loud. He'd been stuck in the car for hours, and the thought of getting out and playing was almost too much for him to bear.

“Mommy, Mommy, look! There's Josie!” He squealed, bouncing up and down in his seat.

I followed his gaze to the table on the patio, where Josie was setting out lunch. She looked up and caught my eye, a warm smile spreading across her face.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt a little bit of guilt. I hadn't seen my son in weeks, and here he was, running to another woman like she was his mother.

But I knew I was being ridiculous. Josie was my best friend, and she'd been helping Daniel with Jordan while I was away, but I couldn't help the feeling.

Jordan wriggled free from my grasp and ran towards Josie, who scooped him up in a big hug.

“Hey, buddy! I've missed you!” She exclaimed, twirling him around.

I smiled, feeling a little better. Josie was wonderful with Jordan, and I knew I could trust her.

As I walked towards the patio, Josie's eyes met mine, and she smiled warmly. “Emma! Oh my gosh, what a surprise! I didn't expect you back so soon!”

I hugged her, feeling a little emotional. “Hey, girl. I missed my baby.”

Just as I was starting to relax, I heard a voice behind me.

“Emma?”

My heart skipped a beat. It was Daniel’s. I turned, a smile spreading across my face. “Surprise!”

But as our eyes met, I paused.

I was expecting a warm welcome, but his expression stopped me cold. His eyes narrowed, and his face darkened.

He seemed disgusted.

“Why are you here?” He asked.

I felt like I'd been slapped. “D-Daniel? I.. I wanted to surprise you.” I stammered, my smile faltering.

What was wrong?

His gaze lingered on me, then his jaw clenched. “You should've called first.”

What was going on? This wasn't the reunion I'd imagined.

But I pushed aside the doubt, attributing it to work stress. Daniel was a high-powered executive; he was probably just overwhelmed.

“Hey, come on, I wanted to surprise you,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Happy anniversary, baby!”

I stepped forward, expecting a kiss, but Daniel's demeanor didn't soften. He glanced at Jordan, then back at me, his eyes flashing with... anger? Frustration?

“I was in the middle of something.” He said, stepping back. “You can't just show up unannounced.”

I tilted my head and forced a smile. Maybe he was having a bad day.

“Sorry, love. I just missed you guys,” I said, walking towards him.

Daniel's expression didn't change, but he didn't push me away either. He let me kiss his cheek, his skin cool beneath my lips.

“Let's talk about this later.” He muttered.

I nodded, though feeling a little off-balance, but I was determined to make our anniversary the best yet.

“Okay, let's eat! I'm starving.” I said brightly, turning to Josie and Jordan.

As we sat down to eat, I caught Josie's eye, and she gave me a sympathetic smile. She'd noticed the tension, too.

I smiled back, shrugging it off. Daniel was just stressed. It would be okay.

~

Hours Later

I tried to decline Josie's invitation for dinner, explaining that I'd already gotten food for Jordan and me.

But Jordan had other plans.

“No, Mommy! I want Josie's food!” He exclaimed, scrambling into the dining area and plumping himself down in his favorite chair.

My heart ached as I watched him beam at Josie, his eyes shining with excitement.

Why did it feel like he was growing closer to her than to me?

I pushed the thought aside and smiled, deciding to let it go. “Okay, sweetie, enjoy your dinner.”

I didn't join them, claiming I was full, and instead headed to our bedroom to unwind. As I settled in, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

That's when I spotted something, a flash of lace peeking out from the wardrobe. It was a bra, and it was not mine.

My heart skipped a beat.

No, no, no. I wasn't going to jump to conclusions. Maybe it was Josie's? Or a guest's?

Daniel suddenly walked in, a forced smile on his face. “I'm surprised you agreed to let Jordan participate in the school presentation with Josie.” He said.

I smiled. “I just want him to be happy, Daniel. That's all that matters.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Really? It seems like you're always so.. distant.”

I tightened my smile, deviating from the topic. “I have good news, Daniel,” I said. “I got a new job offer, and—”

“Happy anniversary, by the way.” He interrupted, and I'd be happy in any other case that he'd finally wished me, but his tone was filled with sarcasm.

This wasn't how I wanted our anniversary to be.

“Let's celebrate tonight,” I suggested.

But Daniel just shook his head. “I'm tired, Emma. Maybe another time.”

He disappeared into the bathroom soon after, leaving me sitting there.

As I sat there, staring at the wall, my gaze fell on the bed. The pillow was slightly askew, and I knew Daniel's habits. He always hid things under his pillow.

Curiosity led, and I lifted the pillow.

And my heart sank at what I saw underneath.

CHAPTER 2

Emma's POV

Next day

I stood frozen, a plastic smile plastered on my face as I watched the scene unfold before me.

The school's event was a blur of colors and noise, but my attention was fixated on the trio laughing and chatting as if they were the only ones in the room.

Jordan, my son, beamed with pride as he chatted with Josie, his eyes shining with adoration. My husband, Daniel, stood beside them, his arm casually draped over Josie's shoulder.

A wave of nausea washed over me, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. This was my family, yet I felt like an outsider.

I thought back to the days when Jordan would hover over me. Now, he barely acknowledged my presence, his attention fixated on Josie.

The memory of Jordan appraising Josie on the podium still stung. He'd barely spared me a glance, and when he did, it was with curiosity, like he was wondering who I was and why I w