Chapter Ten: A New Challenge

The morning light filtered through the large kitchen windows, casting a soft glow across the sleek countertops. Julianne, dressed in a crisp white chef's uniform, moved gracefully as she prepared breakfast. The faint sound of sizzling eggs and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. She loved cooking for the Kingston family—it was a place where she could find some peace, a brief escape from the tension that constantly simmered in the house.

She heard the sound of small feet padding across the hall, followed by a quiet knock on the kitchen door. Turning, she saw Liam standing in the doorway, looking a little shy but still with his usual soft smile.

"Morning, Miss Julianne," he greeted, his voice still sleepy.

"Good morning, Liam," Julianne replied warmly, setting the spatula down. "What's on your mind this morning?"

Liam hesitated, shifting from one foot to the other. "Can I have extra pancakes today? I like them with lots of syrup."

Julianne chuckled softly and nodded. "Of course, I'll make sure there's enough syrup to go around."

As she prepared Liam's breakfast, her eyes wandered toward the hallway, and she saw Clara—the young, sharp-eyed woman who had been Liam's nanny for quite some time. Clara stood by the door, arms folded across her chest, her expression as cold as ever. She didn't say anything, but her eyes were fixed on Julianne, sizing her up.

Julianne felt a brief moment of unease but quickly shook it off. She'd dealt with difficult personalities before. This wasn't her first time working with someone who liked to assert their dominance.

"Liam, here's your plate," Julianne said as she placed a stack of fluffy pancakes on the table. Liam eagerly sat down, his face lighting up with excitement.

"Thank you, Miss Julianne!" he said, digging into the pancakes with gusto.

Clara walked over, her sharp heels clicking on the marble floor. She looked at Julianne with a faint smirk, her eyes scanning the plates of food Julianne had prepared.

"Pancakes for breakfast again?" Clara remarked coolly. "Is that all you can make? I thought you'd be more creative as the chef."

Julianne raised an eyebrow but didn't let Clara's comment rattle her. "I'm just making sure Liam enjoys his breakfast. What would you like me to make, Clara?" she asked, her tone polite but firm.

Clara's lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced at Liam, who was too busy enjoying his food to notice the tension. "I'm sure you'll figure it out, won't you?" Clara replied, her voice dripping with condescension. Then she turned to leave, giving Julianne one last, cold look before disappearing into the hallway.

Julianne exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the lingering discomfort. She didn't need to get caught up in Clara's attitude. Liam was her priority, and he seemed to be enjoying the pancakes just fine.

"Eat up, Liam," Julianne said, watching him devour his breakfast. "We've got a busy day ahead."

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The Growing Tension

As the day went on, the house seemed to grow more and more tense. Julianne had been working in the kitchen when she heard Clara's sharp voice coming from the hallway. She couldn't make out the words, but it was clear the nanny was giving someone a piece of her mind.

Julianne felt her stomach tighten. She had noticed Clara's cold demeanor toward her, but it wasn't just Julianne she had to worry about. There were whispers among the other staff about how Clara treated Liam, how she expected to be treated with the same authority as the head of the household.

Later that afternoon, Julianne walked past the living room, where she saw Clara seated on the sofa, lecturing Liam on something. The boy looked down at his hands, avoiding eye contact. Clara's words were harsh, and Julianne couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness toward Liam. She had seen this before—nannies who thought their job was to rule over the children they were supposed to care for.

Julianne stood by the door for a moment, watching the scene unfold, before she quietly stepped into the room. "Clara," she called out, her voice calm but firm.

Clara glanced up, clearly annoyed that Julianne had interrupted her. "What is it?" she asked, her tone sharp.

"I think Liam would appreciate a little more kindness in his lessons," Julianne said, her gaze steady. "He's a child, Clara. He's not some soldier you can bark orders at."

Clara's eyes narrowed, and she stood up from the sofa, crossing the room toward Julianne with a clipped pace. "You might want to mind your own business, Miss Julianne," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "I've been taking care of Liam long before you showed up, and I'll continue to do so the way I see fit."

Julianne stood her ground, not intimidated by Clara's presence. "If you think treating Liam like that will help him, then I'm afraid you're mistaken. He needs kindness, not commands."

Clara huffed and turned away, clearly annoyed, but she said nothing more. As she left the room, she shot Julianne one final glare.

Liam, who had been watching the exchange silently, looked up at Julianne with a worried expression. "Is it okay if Clara is mean to me?" he asked quietly.

Julianne kneeled down to his level, her heart aching for him. "Liam, no one should ever make you feel bad for being yourself. You deserve kindness, just like everyone else."

Liam gave her a small smile, but Julianne could see the uncertainty in his eyes. He wasn't used to standing up for himself—not yet.

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A Brief Moment of Peace

Later that night, after Liam had gone to bed, Julianne found herself alone in the kitchen once more. The house was quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by the stillness that often fell over the Kingston Estate after hours. As she cleaned up, Julianne found her thoughts drifting to the young boy and the tense atmosphere that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

She wondered how much longer she could watch him suffer in silence, how much longer she could stand by and let Clara and the others treat him this way. She wasn't sure what her place was in this house yet, but one thing was certain—she wasn't going to let Liam face his struggles alone.

As the last dish was washed and dried, Julianne stood by the window, staring out at the moonlit garden. The night felt heavy, full of questions, but in that moment, she knew she had made the right choice by staying.