Hired To Nurse, Bound To Love

Alya stood in front of Sean Alexander's luxurious apartment.

The cool night air brushed against her face, bringing with it the nervousness that increasingly took hold of her. Since their meeting at the hospital earlier that afternoon, everything had happened so fast. Now, she was actually about to live in a stranger's home to care for a baby that wasn't even her own.

The large door opened automatically after Sean entered a code on the side panel. He walked in without looking back, forcing Alya to quickly follow. The moment she crossed the threshold, she was stunned.

The room was spacious, with high ceilings and a modern interior dominated by shades of black, white, and gray. Every piece of furniture looked expensive and perfectly arranged, giving off a cold and formal impression-just like the man who owned it.

"Follow me," Sean said curtly, walking toward a room in the corner of the apartment. Alya followed silently.

It was the baby's room. Unlike the rest of the apartment, which felt cold and sterile, this room felt warm and cozy. The walls were decorated with night-sky-themed wallpaper adorned with tiny glowing stars. A white crib sat in the center of the room, complete with neatly arranged baby supplies on nearby shelves.

Inside the crib, Leon slept peacefully, his tiny face calm under the soft glow of the nightlight. Alya's heart ached. For some reason, seeing the baby stirred something inside her-something that reminded her of the first time she saw Rey.

"From now on, this will be your room too," Sean's voice pulled her back to reality.

Alya turned to him, surprised. "I'll sleep here?"

Sean nodded. "Leon is still an infant. He needs to be nursed at night. I don't want any delays just because you have to walk from another room. Everything you need is here, including a private bathroom. If there's anything missing, let the head assistant I've assigned know."

Alya looked around the room. Though she never imagined she'd live in a place like this, at least she had her own space and didn't have to feel like a guest in someone else's home.

"All right, sir," Alya finally replied.

Sean nodded, then glanced toward Leon. "Leon's feeding schedule is written on the table. I want everything to run according to that."

Alya frowned. "I understand, but babies don't always follow strict schedules. They need comfort, not just routines."

Sean's gaze sharpened. "That's not your concern. Your job is to provide breast milk, not decide how to raise my son."

Alya bit her lip, holding back a response that nearly escaped. This man clearly needed to control everything, and she didn't want to start a conflict from day one.

"Understood," she said at last, choosing not to argue.

Sean looked at her for a moment, as if ensuring there would be no further objections, then said, "In that case, I leave Leon in your care." Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the room.

Once the door closed, Alya let out a long breath. She approached the crib and looked down at Leon, still fast asleep. His tiny face looked so innocent and fragile. Gently, she reached out and touched his soft cheek.

"Hello, Leon," she whispered. "From now on, I'll take care of you. We're the same. You lost your mom. I lost my child. But maybe you're even sadder... because at least mine is still alive, even though we're in different worlds now. Hang in there, okay?"

Leon stirred slightly, let out a small sound, then fell back into deep sleep. Alya smiled faintly, feeling something warm stir in her heart.

She observed Leon sleeping soundly in the crib. The room was spacious and elegant, with soft blue décor that offered a sense of calm. Only the baby's tiny breaths broke the silence. Her heart still felt heavy, but at least there was something she could do-she could provide milk for this baby.

The first day in Sean Alexander's home felt incredibly awkward.

Alya wasn't yet used to this new environment, especially with the strict rules in place. Sean himself barely spoke to her after their meeting the day before. He gave instructions only through the head housekeeper, Mrs. Rina. Alya was respected as Leon's wet nurse, but still treated as staff.

That afternoon, Alya sat by the window, watching the sky turn orange. She hadn't seen Sean again since morning. The man was always busy, as if his world revolved solely around his business. But behind his cold demeanor, Alya knew Sean cared about his child. After all, he hadn't chosen just anyone to care for Leon.

The door opened quietly. Sean appeared, wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His gaze was sharp as usual, but this time there was a hint of exhaustion in his eyes. He walked over to the crib and looked down at the still-sleeping Leon.

"Is he sleeping well?" he asked, not turning to Alya.

Alya nodded. "Yes. He's a calm baby."

Sean was silent for a moment, then turned to face her. "Are you having trouble adjusting here?"

Alya hadn't expected that question. "Not really, sir. It's just... everything still feels new. I'm still learning to adapt."

Sean gave a small nod. "As long as you follow the rules and take good care of Leon, there won't be any problems."

Alya understood what he meant. She knew Sean didn't want any emotional attachment, and she tried to keep her distance. This was just a job, and she had promised not to get emotionally involved. But how could she keep her heart from getting close to a baby this small?

"Why are you so strict about these boundaries?"