Hi guys, due to a technical error while publishing this book, please refer back to chapter one hundred and six before coming over to this very chapter.

Maya's POV

"You don't need to nanny my daughter anymore, you're relieved of your services "

His words rang continuously in my head. What did I just hear?.

I choked " E-excuse me? "

He glanced up, "I want you to quit Maya "

My spoon slipped from my grip and fell to the ground with a clatter while my mouth opened and closed helplessly, it was obvious I was shocked to the core. So in one word, he was trying to say I'm fired from my nanny duties?

"But my contract - "

"I'll take care of the contract and compensate you for all damages since I'm the one that breached it this time " His words flowed freely and firm as if he had practiced this line for a long time.

Was that what he was thinking all this time, how to get rid of me?

"I-I … " I tried to speak but words couldn't flow from my mouth.

I was still finding it hard to believe what I just heard. I would no longer nanny Isabella?.

" Why? " I asked, my voice thick with emotion.

Niklaus looked into my eyes and answered "You know why Maya "

The intensity of his words shook me and made me shiver, he was sending me away on purpose.

"Why? " I snorted in disbelief, then taunted " Because you know deep inside that you wouldn't be able to keep your lousy hands off me?"

His jaw was clenched tightly as he growled " You know that's not entirely why "

I laughed sarcastically "Oh please spare me your lame excuse Niklaus " my gaze hardened "Don't you dare use Sakuzi as an excuse "

"What are you trying to say? " he asked, the tension in the room was increasing.

"Why are you behaving like a fool Niklaus? Why are you playing right into Sakuzi's hand? Do you think I don't know about the rules of Spencer's heir ?"

I watched him stiffen, then his brows came together " Who told you about that? "

"Why are you so damn curious when you never bothered to tell me in the first place? "

"Eden " he nodded his head as the truth finally dawned on him.Niklaus came up with the only person he knew wouldn't wait to expose that piece of information.

I gritted my teeth with my fist folded at my side. "You knew Sakuzi would do little to nothing to me once I got married to you, yet… ."

I took a deep breath and calmed myself down before glancing around the environment.

Thankfully we were the only ones in the restaurant at the moment save the owner who was wise enough not to butt into our argument.

I heard about the rule from Isabella, truth be told. The little girl was knowledgeable about a lot of things her father doesn't even have a clue about.

Just like the Sakuzi clan, the Spencer Clan hardly allows one of their own to be maltreated by others.

Once you become a member of the Spencer by marriage, blood, or adoption, you're covered - they value their blood above any other thing. They could, and would wage war against anyone or clan that dares to touch one of their own.

With my voice lowered, I stretched my hands towards his and covered the top of his hand with mine, stroking it tenderly

"What's holding you back, Niklaus? " I asked softly, this time hoping to get through to him.

His eyes rested on his hands I took in mine for a while before he withdrew his hands abruptly.

He instead said " I will compensate you heavily for your services, you might not even have to work throughout your life "

I snorted. Then a burst of joyless laughter was drawn from my mouth "Why does this scene look oddly familiar to the ones shown on television "

I wiped away the tears that were forced out of my eyes as a result of laughing too much. "Why would I not work for the rest of my life? Are you paying off your mistress? "

He heaved "Maya - "

My eyes flashed with anger "Fine! Since you're so rich, I want every single dime paid. For the breach, for every physical, psychological, and emotional pain I went through "

"Maya -"

I interrupted him by standing up abruptly "I hope this is the last time I ever see you "

He stood up as well.

"Wait, Judy would give you a ride," he said as soon as I turned on my heels but I ignored him.

"Maya! " He grabbed my arm and whipped me around.

"Don't you ever dare touch me! " I rebuked him, flinging his hand off me.

"Maya listen to me! "

"No, you listen to me! " I roared back and his mouth closed.

I jabbed him in the chest furiously, it was time to give him a piece of my mind.

"I'm sick and tired of all these games! I'm not a fucking toy nor an object for your self-gratification Niklaus! I have feelings too and it has been repeatedly tossed and taken for granted throughout this relationship…"

My chest was heaving up and down from my riled up emotions "This time buddy, you have to make clear your stand. Stop confusing me! "

I drew closer to him, looking him straight in the eyes, and said sternly

"And this time, I do love. Take it or leave it "

His jaw tightened. Other than that, there was no other emotion on Niklaus's face.

I have always admired his ability to keep calm in the face of a storm, but right now his apathetic features irritated me like hell.

"Bastard"

I called him and turned to leave when I suddenly remembered, "Thanks for rescuing me by the way, but I hope to never get in that kind of situation because of you again "

I didn't look back this time and left the restaurant. I ignored his car with Judy inside of it and flagged down a taxi instead.

Once I reached his residence, I would take my own stuff which thankfully wasn't much, leaving the rest of the items he bought for me.

But the problem was facing Isabella, it was obvious Amanda would not bother me if I refused to say a word.

The song playing from the radio suddenly attracted my attention and the driver increased the volume on that.

"You said nothing's wrong, but something's wrong

You know my insecurities are always there alone

And I can show my weaknesses, it's something to be proud

God, it'd be so beautiful to see that side of you

All the messy parts, every part, your whole, whole heart

So come on, baby, open up

I swear you won't be sorry

You know I never ever judge "

" Could you please turn that off ?" I pleaded with the driver who obeyed without much hassle.

The song was hitting close to home and I didn't like that, I wanted to bury everything about Niklaus behind me.

It was now obvious all my relationships were doomed to fail, so I'll focus on myself - value and show love to myself, I deserve to be happy.

My thoughts were all over the place throughout the ride to Niklaus' place that the driver had to tap me on the shoulder in order to bring me back to the presence.

Thankfully Isabella wasn't at home when I arrived, she spent the night at Adam's place as narrated by Amanda.

So I went into my room, packed my little properties into a duffel bag, and soon was good to go.

"Maya? " there was a worried and inquisitive expression on Amanda's face when she saw me leaving.

I flashed her a smile " Don't worry, he knows I'm leaving "

"And Isabella? "

My heart hurt all of a sudden, when did I get so attached to that kid. I was really going to miss her crude and sarcastic tongue.

"She knows, " I answered Amanda.

It wasn't a lie. Isabella was at the party last night and saw what happened. The little girl was a smart one and must have figured out what would happen, no wonder she decided to spend the night at her grandfather's place - she hates emotion and I bet I would have shed a bucket of tears if she were here.

Suddenly Amanda walked up-to me and engulfed me in a motherly hug.

"You did your best, little one, " She told me, and my eyes pooled with tears which began to fall slowly.

I rasped " It hurts "

"I know " she agreed, her hand smoothing my hair while the other rubbed my back.

"Alright, I'll be going " I pulled away, sniffing and wiping away the tears in my eyes.

"Trust me, you're going to find another person who would love you with all his heart " she tried to comfort me

I smiled weakly at her "I don't need love anymore " I told her, took my things, and walked out of the door while she continuously waved at me.

But the moment I reached the entrance, a red Ferrari stopped right in front of me and a fabulous looking blonde stepped out.

Tina.