Synopsis:
Claire, now a mother, confronts her former maid, Chantel, a seventeen-year-old orphan, with a life-changing proposition. "Take this money," she says, handing over a check for one million dollars, "and disappear; your children are mine now." Chantel, overwhelmed by the generous sum, accepts, knowing it marks a turning point in her life. She had initially agreed to help Claire conceive by sleeping with her husband, Henry, a wealthy CEO, in exchange for the financial security the money offered. Five years later, Chantel has flourished, using the funds to establish her own foundation and provide herself with a quality education. Now, her heart's desire lies in reclaiming her biological twins and reuniting with Henry, who still believes he fathered them. With a newfound sense of independence, Chantel returns to the Williams family as a nanny, determined to keep their secret hidden. "Our agreement remains confidential," she warns Claire. "It's time for you to let go of Henry, for both your sake and his. Your barrenness is no longer a factor in his life, so it's best to leave him be." Claire, feeling a mix of guilt and entitlement, replies, "I gave you the chance to rise above your circumstances, and this is how you repay me. You are an orphan, and I changed your life – this is my repayment."
I find novels without a little romance like rice with no salt or no spice