From Nanny to Wife of Two Brothers

Alaric Valerius.

The office is far too quiet for the end of a day like this. The city lights stream through the large windows, reflecting off the dark furniture and the polished wood of the desk.

I hold the phone between my fingers, swiveling the chair slightly before bringing it to my ear.

"Finally decided to call." Sebastian's voice comes through from the other end, calm and familiar.

"I needed to talk." I lean back in my chair. "Elisabeth is already asleep."

"And how is she?" he asks immediately. "Is she still waking up in the middle of the night?"

"Sometimes." I let out a brief sigh. "She's doing well overall. She's grown up too fast. She already talks too much for a four-year-old."

Sebastian laughs on the other end of the line.

"She takes after you." There's a smile in his voice. "I wish I could be there to see her."

"I know." I pause. "The last time you came, she was still too young to remember."

"Two years go by fast," he comments, more seriously. "But tell me... you said you needed to talk to me."

"It's about Odette."

There's a brief pause.

"What happened to her?"

"Nothing serious." I run a hand over my face. "But it's time. She's taken care of us since we were children... and now she's taking care of my daughter. She's tired. Too old for this routine. She needs to rest."

"I agree," Sebastian replies without hesitation. "It's long past time for her to retire. Odette has given everything she had."

"I'm going to talk to her today." I rest my elbow on the desk. "I'm exhausted. I need to get this sorted out soon."

"If you need help, just say the word," he says with his usual readiness. "I'll catch the first flight and be there."

A faint smile appears before I even realize it.

"I know. Thank you."

"It's always been this way." His voice softens. "You call, I come."

"Yes," I agree. "It's always been this way."

"Keep me posted," Sebastian asks. "And give Elisabeth a kiss for me."

"I will." I take a deep breath. "I'll talk to you soon."

"Take care, brother."

"You too."

We end the call, and I set the phone on the desk. For a few seconds, I stare at my reflection in the glass, lost in thought. Maybe I really do need his help.

Elisabeth is still little. She's only four years old. The last time she saw her uncle was when she was two, back when Sebastian came to help me and we nearly lost our minds trying to figure out a child's routine.

I smile at the memory of those chaotic days.

My brother and I have always been like this. Too close. We grew up side by side, facing everything together. When one of us needs something, the other shows up without question. It's always worked that way.

Close enough that we see absolutely nothing wrong with sharing the same woman.

There's no room for jealousy between us; neither of us feels the slightest discomfort when the other takes what he wants. On the contrary, there's a disturbing harmony in sharing pleasure.

However, that tolerance ends where the rest of the world begins. When anyone else dares to show interest in the same woman we're watching, the situation changes drastically.

Things get serious, and our protective instinct turns into something much darker.

But now isn't the time to think about that.

I get up and leave the office, making my way down the hallway to the living room. Odette is sitting on the sofa, her hands resting in her lap, her posture impeccable as always. She looks up as soon as she sees me.

"Mr. Alaric," she says with a gentle smile.

"Odette." I approach her slowly. "Can we talk?"

"Of course."

I sit across from her, resting my forearms on my knees.

"You know how important you are to this family," I begin. "You always have been. You took care of me, my brother... and now Elisabeth."

She simply nods, listening attentively.

"But the time has come for you to think about yourself," I continue. "I want you to rest. To take care of yourself. I won't be needing your services as a nanny anymore."

Odette takes a deep breath but doesn't seem surprised.

"I was already expecting this," she replies calmly. "My body can't keep up the way it used to."

"I'd like you to stay for a few more days," I explain. "Just until I find someone else. Someone I can trust."

She smiles understandingly.

"I'll stay. For the little girl. Until you get everything sorted out."

"Thank you, Odette," I say sincerely. "For everything."

She rises calmly, smoothing her dress.

"It will always be a pleasure to take care of your family, Mr. Alaric."

I watch as she walks away. Silence returns to the house, heavy and contemplative.

Maybe it really is time to ask my brother for help.