The Unexpected Invitation

Hazel hummed along to the radio, her fingers nimble as she braided Theo's blonde curls. He sat on the floor, enthralled by a toy truck, his chubby cheeks flushed with the exertion of pushing it around. The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows of Axel's penthouse, casting warm squares of light on the plush carpet. It was a world away from the cramped apartment she shared with her sister, a world she'd never imagined she'd be a part of.

Three years ago, she'd been a struggling student, juggling two part-time jobs to make ends meet. Then, a chance encounter with a friend led her to this job. A nanny for Axel, a man whose name was synonymous with power and success, a man who was also a single father to a charming three-year-old.

Axel had been initially hesitant, his gruff demeanor masking a vulnerability she'd quickly recognized. He was a man who wore his emotions like a heavy coat, rarely showing the world the warmth that flickered in his eyes when he looked at Theo.

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