On the night I was kicked out of my marriage with nothing, I wandered the streets alone. By chance, I saw a small ad taped to a lamppost: 【Looking for a stepmother for my child. No age or appearance requirements. Must be patient with children. Room and board included.】 The "room and board included" part caught my eye. That night, I dragged my suitcase to the address. And walked into the home of the richest man in the city. Later, my ex-husband asked me condescendingly: "Ava, do you realize your mistake now?" My four-year-old tyrant of a stepson roared: "What mistake?! My mom is the most right person in the world!!!" The billionaire put his arm around my shoulder: "My wife, even when she's wrong, she's right." 1 I never expected the person posting flyers on lampposts to be the city's richest man. I stood at the gate of the mansion. Beside me was a butler with a haughty demeanor. "Our employer is looking for a stepmother for his child, not a wife for himself. Remember that." "Mr. Sterling is a catch. Don't get any ideas." I lowered my head slightly, eyes straight ahead. I sighed deeply. This job was perfect for me. Basically, they were hiring a high-end nanny for the kid, right? I just got divorced this morning. I had zero interest in remarrying right now. But taking care of a child and having a roof over my head meant I didn't have to pay rent. For someone as broke as I was, this was a lifesaver. I nodded respectfully. "I understand. I absolutely won't get any ideas." The butler nodded and led me into the dining room. At a massive long table, a father and son were engaged in a tug-of-war. The brooding man held a bowl and spoon, looking unhappy. The melancholy boy bit his lip, refusing to open his mouth, not backing down. Time seemed to stand still. After a long while, the man sighed, defeated. He put down the bowl in frustration. His well-defined hand pinched the bridge of his nose. He lowered his voice: "Just one bite. A tiny bite, please?" The butler stepped forward: "Sir, another applicant is here. This one looks well-behaved." The man turned slowly. He wore simple black trousers and a white shirt, the top button undone, hinting at his collarbone. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing pale, strong forearms. I had seen this face on financial news. Ethan Sterling. Too handsome to forget. I was secretly worried about being scammed earlier. Seeing his face now, I relaxed completely. A man of his status had no reason to scam a destitute divorcee like me. His deep gaze swept over me lightly. His voice was tinged with exhaustion. "What's your name?" I guessed he had rushed home after a long day of work, not even changing clothes, just to feed his child. Only to suffer a heavy blow. Feeding his kid was probably harder than signing a billion-dollar deal. "Ava," I said. He nodded imperceptibly and handed me the bowl: "You try." After speaking, he moved to the sofa, crossing his arms to watch me with interest. This must be the interview. I had to perform well. If I could stay, at least I wouldn't have to sleep under a bridge tonight. I took the bowl, put on what I thought was a kind smile, and walked toward the boy. But before I took two steps, the boy whoosh dove under the table. Only a pair of big, dark eyes like grapes peeked out. He shouted angrily at Ethan: "No! Make her leave! I don't want her to feed me! They are all bad women!" It seemed before me, the boy had encountered unknown numbers of "stepmothers." I had to do even better. I glanced around and saw Ultraman figures everywhere. An idea struck. I grabbed a few Ultramen and placed them near the boy under the table. I said with a smile: "Don't worry, I'm not feeding you. I'm feeding Tiga and Seven. You don't need to worry." With that, I pretended to feed the figures: "Eat up. Only by being full can you save the world." "Kids who don't eat have skinny arms and legs. They can't even protect themselves, how can they protect humanity?" "Oh, you want veggies? Right, right, spinach gives you strength." The boy lay there pitifully, feeling forgotten. He smacked his lips a few times, but I pretended not to see. Until his nose turned red from anxiety and he was about to cry, I acted like I just discovered him: "Oh! Why is there a baby Ultraman here? Tiga, can I give your leftovers to him? He needs to eat to be strong like you." Tiga (me): "Yes." I smiled: "Okay, since Tiga said so, I'll share a bit with you. But don't eat too much, or you'll surpass Tiga, and he'll be sad." The boy nodded furiously. Before my spoon reached him, he swallowed it in one bite. After several big mouthfuls, he looked at me accusingly: "Why didn't you give me veggies? Are you afraid I'll surpass Tiga? Bad woman!" I looked back at Ethan. His brows relaxed, and he gave me an appreciative smile. 2 That night, I moved into the villa. Three floors. I lived on the second floor with four-year-old Leo. Ethan lived on the third. The butler emphasized repeatedly: "Absolutely no going to the third floor. A woman tried to climb into Mr. Sterling's bed before and was thrown out the window." I nodded repeatedly, promising not to cross the line. Like father, like son. The billionaire's son slept alone at four, saving me a lot of trouble. The next afternoon, when Ethan came home from work, I was feeding Leo at the villa entrance. Leo had a dog leash around his neck, sitting on the ground next to a Golden Retriever. One bite for the dog, one bite for Leo. They were eating happily. Ethan's face went black instantly. "Ava, what are you treating my son as?!" His voice was fierce and cold, scaring me into a shiver. "Woof!" Leo spoke first. "Dad, Ava and I are role-playing. Look, I ate way more than Goldie! Woof! Woof woof!" Ethan frowned deeper, slowly looking at the butler. The butler looked conflicted, hesitating to speak: "Sir, although Ms. Ava's method is... unique, it's effective! Before, we chased him and he wouldn't eat. But this afternoon, the Young Master ate two bowls of rice, swearing to beat Goldie." Ethan looked speechless, thin lips pressed tight. He watched his son devouring rice, veggies, meat, and soup. He sighed: "Um, humans and dogs should use separate utensils." I replied immediately: "Sir, rest assured. Your dog is very clean; he hasn't touched the Young Master's spoon." Ethan paused, face darkening, and turned into the villa. Leo finished two and a half bowls of rice. His belly was round like a ball, burping with every stretch of his neck. I had to walk him and Goldie in the garden for half an hour before going upstairs. What I didn't know was that Ethan stood at the second-floor window watching us. Seeing his son barking and racing the dog, laughing happily, the corners of his tight lips hooked up into a long-lost smile. The butler sighed: "This Ms. Ava is unconventional! The Young Master who didn't eat, speak, or move has changed so much in one day. Sir, I think we found the right person." When I went upstairs, Ethan was sitting on the sofa in the living area, long legs crossed, exuding elegance. I untied Leo's leash, about to take him for a bath, when Ethan called me: "Ava, let's talk." "Oh, okay, Mr. Sterling." I handed the child to the butler and sat obediently opposite Ethan. "You're good with kids. Have you given birth?" "No. I helped take care of my ex-husband's sister's child for two years." At the time, my ex-husband's family thought I earned too little and ordered me to quit my job. After I quit, they thought I was lazy, so they fired his sister's nanny and made me take care of the kid. Ethan nodded: "The file says you're divorced?" "Yes." "Reason?" "Class mismatch." Ethan looked at me deeply: "You saw the ad yesterday. I want to find a mom for Leo. This child is insecure, only wants to stay home, refuses to go to preschool. I'm busy, so I want a patient woman to be his mother." "I will sign a prenup with you and notarize assets." I nodded: "I understand." 3 Rich families are all like this. Although my last marriage was for love. Because of the class gap, I signed a prenup too. So when the love ran out and we divorced, I was left with nothing. Even the wedding ring was taken back. For a top billionaire like Ethan, marriage was even more serious. "Actually, I'm satisfied just having a place to stay. We don't need a marriage certificate," I said. Ethan insisted: "The certificate is for Leo. I want to find him a long-term mother, and marriage is the most solid contract." I nodded obediently: "Then we'll do as you say." "Don't worry, I'll give you $15,000 monthly allowance for your expenses." This was a concern of mine, having suffered before. "Mr. Sterling, if we divorce in the future, can I take the allowance with me?" "Naturally. That money is yours." "Okay then." "Regarding marital life, I have no needs for now. So, you still sleep on the second floor." "Okay, me neither." Just like that, on the third day after my divorce, I got married again. Like the first marriage, no wedding. At dinner, the butler added a few dishes. Ethan handed me a diamond ring. I waved my hand: "No need." Ethan said: "For Leo." "Oh, okay. Sorry for the expense." That night, just as I lay down, Leo pushed open my door, standing there conflicted. "What's wrong?" I asked. He twisted his fingers, speaking awkwardly: "Ava, can you read me a bedtime story?" "What?" I thought I heard wrong. Leo bit his lip: "I'll ask my dad to pay you more. Of course, if you don't want to, forget it." "Come here." I waved. I lifted the duvet, and the little boy crawled in naturally. That night, Leo fell asleep in my bed after the story. The next morning, Ethan was shocked to hear this, appreciation showing on his face again. "Ava, thank you. I'll add another $5,000 to your monthly allowance." "Mr. Sterling, that's too much!" It really was too much. After all, I gave much more in my last marriage, but when we divorced, I was too poor to afford a motel. I watched my ex's sister's kid during the day, cooked for my ex at night, satisfied his needs, and cleaned the house at midnight. Because my mother-in-law said: "Although we can afford a nanny, it's not right for Ava to be idle at home." Even so, the divorce settlement claimed I "enjoyed life" for three years. "Mr. Sterling, you're giving too much. I like Leo; he's cold outside but warm inside, very kind. Reading to him is no trouble." As I spoke, I felt a small, warm hand grab my right hand. I looked down. Leo was holding my hand, looking up at me. His face was stern, but his big grape-like eyes were watery. Didn't expect him to be so easily moved. Ethan said: "The women who came before only cared about pleasing me and ignored Leo's feelings. The raise is settled." Unable to refuse, I thanked him. From that day on, Leo was inseparable from me. Ethan was busy, so often, it was just the two of us at home. Until that day, I needed to go to the hospital for a checkup and medication. The butler said Leo couldn't leave the villa gate or he'd have a stress reaction. So I negotiated with him to wait for me at home. Unexpectedly, Leo grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. He didn't speak, just looked at me with melancholy, beautiful eyes. The butler sighed: "He's afraid you're leaving and won't come back." I patted his head: "I'm not leaving. Auntie will come back to read to you after seeing the doctor. Play by yourself for a bit, okay?" Before I could explain more, he climbed into the car first. The butler asked anxiously: "Young Master, are you going to the hospital with Auntie Ava too?" Leo nodded silently. The butler burst into tears: "Heaven has eyes! Protecting the Sterling family!" 4 The doctor said my depression had improved recently and encouraged me to keep relaxing. Before leaving, she prescribed a bunch of meds. Coming out of the clinic, Leo asked awkwardly: "Ava, are you sick?" "Yeah, Auntie didn't eat well, so I got sick. Leo, don't be like Auntie!" "Does it hurt?" His big eyes were full of worry. "If it hurts, I can give you candy." He took a chocolate from his pocket and put it in my palm. "Dad told me if you eat candy, you forget the pain." Looking at his innocent, concerned face, my tears fell without warning. In the three years at the Miller family, when I cried, they called me dramatic, saying a low-born girl didn't deserve a young mistress's life. When I said I had depression, my ex, Mark, said I was hypocritical, purposely annoying him. Even the nephew I cared for called me an ugly attention-seeker when we divorced. But this cold-faced child was willing to give his favorite candy to comfort me. I couldn't help but hug Leo. Small and quiet, he curled in my arms, patting my back with his chubby hand. "Ava, I will eat well. When I grow up, I can protect you." I smiled through tears: "Then grow up fast!" When we walked out of the hospital with red eyes, a low-profile Maybach was parked at the entrance. Ethan leaned against it. Tall, cold, and noble, he attracted many gazes. I walked over holding Leo's hand. "Mr. Sterling, why are you here?" Ethan picked up his son. Seeing his calm demeanor, his eyes reddened, voice hoarse. "The butler said Leo went out with you. I was worried, so I came to see." Leo lay in Ethan's arms, holding my hand. "Dad, as long as I'm with Ava, you can be at ease." Ethan looked at me deeply and nodded. "Dad understands." That night, Ethan wanted to raise my allowance again. Scaring me into refusal. He asked: "Ava, you can make requests." I hesitated and said: "Can you help me find a used car? Around $5,000, so it's easier for me to go out." Ethan said: "You can pick any car from my garage." "The cheapest car in your garage is $300,000. I dare not drive it." Ethan nodded: "Okay." The next morning, a $5,000 Honda Fit was parked next to Ethan's luxury cars. He also invited a world-renowned psychiatrist to the house. The diagnosis was the same. But the meds were switched to expensive imports I couldn't afford before. Before leaving, the doctor told Ethan: "Mr. Sterling, your wife needs family companionship. Don't pressure her." Ethan nodded: "I remember." The next day, I drove Leo out to play. He was insecure before, hysterical at small scares, so he hadn't been to many places. Now, I wanted to show him the world. We went to the amusement park, then the wet market. The little bean followed me, carrying a lively fish, his handsome face tense. "Ava! I don't want to carry it!" "But my hands are full. Help me, please?" I played the pity card. Leo gritted his teeth, holding the fish far away, looking disgusted, but said: "Fine! Just this once!" "Don't buy fish next time!" I laughed secretly. Reaching the parking lot, I heard a familiar voice. "Ava?"
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