Alexa knelt beside Aaron, as her hands were gentle resting on his small shoulders. She leaned in, as her voice low and steady, careful not to startle him.
"It's okay, Aaron… you can tell me. What's YOTTA?"
He hesitated, as his eyes darted to the floor, his fingers twisted in the hem of his pajamas.
"It… it's where… where kids go when their parents aren't around," he finally admitted, voice trembling. "It's… cold. It… doesn't care about you. It… it's strict… like… no one cares if you cry."
Alexa's heart sank, as the words tugged at something she had buried deep inside. She remembered the times her father's mother (her paternal grandmother) had returned from town, her voice cold, telling her she might have to go somewhere… somewhere like that. She had never known exactly what it meant. Not really.
Now, hearing Aaron's small voice describe it, the memories came rushing back, sharp and raw.
She reached for him, gathering him close in her arms. "Aaron," she whispered, "nothing… nothing will ever take you away from me. Not YOTTA. Not anyone."
He buried his face in her shoulder, trembling slightly, and Alexa felt a surge of determination. She would protect him. No rules. No threats. Nothing would separate them.
And in that quiet, fragile moment, she promised herself—she would do whatever it took to keep that promise.
Scene 2
The night was quiet, the faint moonlight spilling through the curtains. Alexa adjusted Aaron's blankets, making sure he was tucked in just right. His small hands clutched his pillow as he yawned, the day's excitement finally catching up to him.
Before she could step away, the heavy door clicked open. Marcus entered, his usual aura of control filling the room. And behind him… Nina. Alexa's chest tightened. She had suspected, but now seeing them together confirmed the truth.
"Alexa," Marcus said, his voice firm, colder than usual, "leave. I'll take it from here."
Alexa's brow furrowed. "Marcus—" she started, but Aaron's small voice stopped her.
"No! Don't go, Alexa," he protested, his little hands clutching at her arm. "I don't want you to leave!"
Marcus moved quickly, tugging Aaron toward him with a strength that made the boy stumble slightly. His eyes met Alexa's, sharp and commanding. "I said leave," he said, each word clipped, cold, leaving no room for argument.
Alexa felt it—the sting. Not just in his tone, but in the unspoken weight of distance now between them. She swallowed hard, stepping back. Her hands that had always reached out to him now clenched slightly at her sides.
She forced a calm over her features, her voice measured. "Alright… if that's what you want."
Aaron looked between them, confusion and hurt in his eyes. "Alexa—"
But Marcus ignored him, his focus unwavering, his control absolute. The tug of authority, and the cold edge in his voice, left a mark deeper than words.
As she turned toward the door, Alexa's mind worked furiously. So it's her… Nina. Her pulse quickened, not with fear but with resolve. She finally knew who had orchestrated this, who had manipulated the situation to try to wedge herself between her and Aaron.
Aaron whimpered softly, but didn't move from Marcus's side, still clinging to the sense of safety he knew in Alexa's presence. Alexa's lips pressed into a thin line, her posture stiffening. If Marcus could be cold, so could she.
She cast one last glance at Aaron, a silent promise behind her eyes, and then walked out of his room. Each step was measured, quiet, but inside, a storm was brewing. Nina would pay for this.
Scene 3
Marcus sat alone for a few moments in the dimly lit nursery after Alexa left. The silence of the room pressed against him like a weight he couldn't shrug off. He stared at the space Alexa had just vacated, her presence lingering like a ghost he couldn't chase away.
Why did I… His thoughts circled endlessly. Why did I let my anger and suspicion flare like that? Why did I… push her away when all she's ever done is protect Aaron?
He ran a hand over his face, the tension in his jaw telling him he'd never felt like this before. Not after Rosalina's death. Not after anything. She… she wasn't just a nanny. She was different.
Aaron stirred in his sleep and, with small, curious eyes, mumbled, "Papa… why are you treating Alexa like that?"
Marcus froze. His chest tightened. The question hit harder than he expected. He didn't answer. How could he explain the complicated swirl of protection, jealousy, guilt, and something he hadn't dared name?
Instead, he crouched by the bed, smoothing Aaron's hair back from his forehead. "Sleep Aaron. Papa's here."
Aaron's eyes fluttered shut again, but Marcus lingered a moment, tracing the line of his son's face, trying to anchor himself in the one certainty he had left.
Finally, Marcus stood, long shadows stretching behind him as he moved silently to the study. The mansion was quiet, but tension clung to him like a second skin. The night was far from over.
His phone buzzed, piercing the stillness. He answered immediately. The voice on the other end was cold, sharp, clipped—business, nothing personal. But the message… it froze him in place.
"Kill them."
The words echoed, harsh and absolute. Marcus' hand tightened around the phone. His mind spun—planning, calculating—but beneath it all was a core of fear he wouldn't admit, even to himself. He knew what this meant. He knew who "them" referred to. And he knew… the game had escalated far beyond control.
He lowered the phone slowly, his jaw set. Outside, the night was calm, but Marcus' world had already changed.