Chapter Four

Chapter Four 

The silence in Alex’s car was suffocating. Elena sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her hands clenched in her lap. She had agreed to this madness, but every fiber in her being screamed that it was a mistake.

The agreement had been simple in theory: she would move in temporarily, play the role of a devoted Nanny figure, and provide Thomas with the emotional support he needed to heal. But nothing about this situation felt simple.

As the car pulled into the driveway of Alex’s home, Elena stared at the imposing house with a sinking feeling. It was too pristine, too perfect, far from the life she was used to.

“This is where you’ll stay,” Alex said, breaking the silence.

“I figured,” she replied curtly, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Alex sighed but didn’t respond. He stepped out and retrieved her small suitcase from the trunk.

Elena followed him inside, her shoes clicking against the polished wooden floors. The house was spacious yet cold, as if it lacked the warmth that made a place feel like home.

“You can have the guest room upstairs,” Alex said, gesturing toward the staircase. “It’s right across from Thomas’s room.”

“Fine,” Elena muttered, grabbing her suitcase from his hand and heading up the stairs without waiting for further instructions.

The guest room was as much the same as the rest of the house, neat, organized, and with a touch of soft pink that differentiated it from the white paintings of the house. She set her suitcase down by the bed and took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

You’re doing this for Thomas, she reminded herself.

Dinner that evening was awkward.

Thomas, seated between them, chattered excitedly about the day’s events. He seemed brighter already, his eyes lighting up as he spoke. It was the only thing that kept Elena grounded in the midst of Alex’s overbearing presence.

“Elena, can you pass the salt?” Alex asked.

She slid the shaker across the table without meeting his gaze. “Here.”

“Thank you,” he replied, his tone neutral but with an edge that made her get annoyed.

Their conversations were awkward and uncomfortable. Every time they talked, it felt like they were trying to one-up each other. 

“Are you going to stay here forever, Miss Elena?” Thomas asked suddenly, his wide eyes full of innocent curiosity.

Elena hesitated, glancing at Alex. He looked at her expectantly, as if testing her response.

“No, sweetheart,” she said softly. “Just for a little while.”

Thomas frowned. “But I like having you here.”

Her heart clenched. “I like being here too,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

A new routine began to take shape. Elena spent most of her time with Thomas, reading to him, helping him with his schoolwork, and occasionally taking him out for walks. His condition improved steadily, and his laughter became a constant presence in the house.

But the more time she spent there, the harder it became to ignore Alex.

He was always around, watching her with an intensity that made her skin crawl. He had a way of invading her personal space, standing too close or brushing past her as if testing her boundaries.

“Elena, we need to talk about the groceries,” he said one evening, cornering her in the kitchen.

“What about them?” she asked, crossing her arms defensively.

“You’ve been buying things we don’t usually eat,” he said, his tone sharp.

She raised an eyebrow. “Thomas likes them. Isn’t that the point?”

Alex’s jaw tightened. “I just don’t want him getting used to things we can’t keep up once you’re gone.”

The words stung more than they should have. “I’m not trying to change anything, Alex. I’m just doing what I can to make him happy.”

“Good,” he said, his voice low. “Just remember why you’re here.”

Her fists clenched at her sides, but she bit back the retort that burned on her tongue.

In the night, after putting Thomas to bed, Elena wandered into the living room to find Alex sitting on the couch, a book in his hands. He looked up as she entered, his expression softening slightly.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked.

“No,” she admitted, sitting down on the opposite end of the couch.

They sat in silence for a while, the only sound the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.

“You’re good with him,” Alex said suddenly.

She glanced at him, surprised. “What?”

“Thomas,” he clarified. “You’re good with him. He’s happier since you’ve been here.”

Elena didn’t know how to respond. She wanted to dismiss his words, to keep the walls she had built firmly in place. But a part of her—a small, vulnerable part—wanted to believe him.

“I’m just doing my job,” she said finally, her voice quieter than she intended.

Alex didn’t reply, but the way he looked at her made her stomach twist.

It passed a week before she even realized it. Everything was great with Thomas, she was good with him and he made it easier for her but Alex?

She was trying her hardest to avoid him and sometimes the side remarks he makes just get under her skin. 

Elena found herself noticing things about Alex she hadn’t before—the way he ran his hand through his hair when he was frustrated, the rare moments when he smiled, the quiet strength he exuded when he was with Thomas.

It infuriated her.

She didn’t want to see him as anything other than the arrogant, overbearing man who had dragged her into this mess. 

After putting Thomas to bed Elena was heading to her room when she bumped into Alex, he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.

“You’re doing more for him than I ever could,” he said softly. 

Was he drunkenly saying this or was he sober?

Her nose tried picking up any faint smell of alcohol  there was none.

Her breath caught, and she took a step back, her heart pounding. “Don’t,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Elena—”

“Don’t do this,” she said, her tone firm now. “I’m here for Thomas. That’s it.”

Alex’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “Understood.”