The Alpha’s Nanny (Lori and Gabriel) novel Chapter 19

**The Ocean Remembers Everything**
**By Julia Allan**
**Chapter 19**

“Lori?”

The voice was sharp with surprise, cutting through the air like a knife as Mrs. Fuller took in the unexpected scene before her. The sight of the stroller, with its tiny occupant nestled inside, alongside Lori, sent a ripple of confusion across her face.

“Mrs. Fuller. It’s truly a pleasure to see you,” Lori replied, attempting to infuse her words with the politeness she could muster, though her heart raced beneath the surface.

“Whose baby is that?”

Mrs. Fuller’s question came swiftly, her gaze locking onto Emilia with a frown that deepened as if she were trying to decipher a puzzle that had no answer.

“I’m a nanny now,” Lori stated matter-of-factly, the simplicity of her words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

“A nanny?! That’s ironic,” Mrs. Fuller chuckled, a sound that felt sharp and mocking.

Lori couldn’t help but reflect on the irony herself, though she chose silence over a response. The truth was, it was a bitter twist of fate, and she felt the weight of it pressing down on her.

“Be serious now, whose baby is that?” Mrs. Fuller pressed, her tone shifting to one of disbelief.

“I am serious,” Lori shot back, her patience thinning.

“Since you’re here, Mrs. Fuller, I was hoping we could have a private conversation,” Lori began, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.

Mrs. Fuller shook her head, her hand raised as if to ward off Lori’s request. The disbelief was palpable, and Lori could see her processing the implications of what was being asked.

“There’s no way someone would give you a job as a nanny! Not after what you did!”

The words struck Lori like a slap, and she exhaled a defeated sigh, choosing to ignore the sting of the accusation.

“Mrs. Fuller, if you could spare me just a few minutes to explain…”

“Explain what?!” Mrs. Fuller snapped, her voice rising with indignation.

“There’s nothing that comes out of your mouth that I’m willing to hear. Nothing at all.”

Lori felt her heart sink at the finality of those words.

“I just want to know where he’s buried! Is that too much to ask?”

Mrs. Fuller stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto Lori’s.

“Did you get the diapers?”

Lori nodded, even though he couldn’t see her.

“Yes. I got them.”

“Good. I’ll be home soon. Drive safe!” he added before ending the call.

Lori sighed, a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety flooding through her. She turned to the backseat and found Emilia awake at last, her little face scrunching up in discomfort.

Perhaps the baby needed a diaper change, or maybe she was simply hungry, Lori pondered as she reached back to unbuckle her from the car seat.

She had never breastfed in public before, but with no bottle packed—her plan had been a quick in-and-out—she grabbed a blanket and draped it over her shoulder, covering both Emilia’s head and her own exposed chest.

Emilia gurgled softly as she latched on, and Lori took a moment to check her diaper. It seemed the baby wasn’t particularly hungry, as she soon began to play with the breast instead of nursing.

With a soft chuckle, Lori adjusted her hold, placing Emilia on her shoulder to burp her gently.

“Okay now! Time to go home!” she announced, her heart swelling with a mix of love and determination as they prepared to leave the chaos of the outside world behind.