Chapter 7

~ Sarah's POV ~

I was so overwhelmed with happiness that Seth actually wanted me as his nanny. This was really a blessing to me because I would finally be able to keep up with paying my dad's medical bills.

"This is Seth's living room," the head maid said, her crisp, professional voice snapping me out of my daze.

After Seth had given me his royal stamp of approval, Mrs. Callahan had wasted no time ordering the head maid to show me around.

I stopped dead in my tracks, my eyes widening as I scanned the living room. "Seth has his own living room?" I asked, unable to mask my utter disbelief.

"Yes, he does. Every member of the Callahan family has their own living room," she replied smoothly, as if she were describing something as mundane as having a personal toothbrush.

I swallowed a scoff. Was that even necessary? A cold prickle of judgment replaced my awe. Why couldn't they just have one normal living room where they could actually sit together, share a bowl of popcorn, and fight over the TV remote? This wasn't a home, it was a collection of high-end quarantine zones. I'd bet all my future paychecks that these people were total strangers under the same roof.

"Seth isn't allowed to watch his favorite cartoons until 9:00 PM," the head maid continued, completely oblivious to my internal critique. "Make sure he's in bed at exactly 9:00 PM. On weekends, his bedtime can be extended to 10:00 PM."

I nodded, though I couldn't stop myself from admiring how gorgeous the living room of a seven-year-old boy looked. It was really a good thing to be wealthy, but I wouldn't want to be in a house where I barely see my loved one.

The head maid continued with her tour. She showed me Seth's private playground, his pristine bathroom, and then, to my absolute horror, his own fully equipped kitchen and dining room. She casually informed me that I would be the one preparing all the meals on his strict dietary timetable.

Cooking wasn't the issue—I was actually pretty damn good in the kitchen, but why would he also have his own kitchen and dining room? It was like he was living in his own apartment.

"Ummm... Beatrice?" I murmured, the tension finally leaking into my voice.

She paused, turning a sharp eye toward me. "Yes? Is there something you don't understand?"

"Actually, I get the instructions... but I have to ask. If Seth has his own living room and his own dining table... how does he ever eat with his family?"

"He doesn't dine with his family on a daily basis," Beatrice stated. "It happens occasionally."

"Occasionally?" I repeated, my eyebrows knitting together in a deep, troubled furrow.

"Yes. The Callahan family doesn't talk to each other except when it is absolutely necessary."

When it's necessary? A chill ran down my spine, followed by a hot flash of pity. What kind of a cold, dysfunctional family was this? Why would you only speak to your own flesh and blood for administrative purposes? Couldn't they just sit down and laugh over absolutely nothing?

"That means... Seth is a really lonely child, right?" I asked, my heart aching for the little boy with gray eyes.

"He's not entirely alone," Beatrice corrected softly, a rare glint of softness breaking through her rigid demeanor. "His older brother always makes an effort to stroll over to this side of the mansion just to talk to him."

Oh. A wave of warmth softened my irritation. The crippled older brother. How incredibly sweet of him to look out for his little sibling when their parents clearly couldn't be bothered.

"Just a little advice if you want to keep this job," Beatrice suddenly said, leaning in with an intensity that made me freeze. "Don't be nosy, and just do what you were hired to do. You really do not want to end up in the black book of Sir Antonio."

"Sir Antonio?" I muttered, the name heavy and ominous on my tongue.

"Yes. He's the head of the Callahan family. He is incredibly strict and never gets along with his oldest son. So, when you see them yelling at each other, do not try to eavesdrop. Sir Antonio is like the devil himself."

A sickening wave of disgust washed over me. Seth's father was already giving me the major icks. His oldest son was crippled, for heaven's sake! A real father should be protective and gentle with him, not screaming at an innocent guy who already had the deck stacked against him.

Still, I forced a compliant nod. As much as my blood boiled, I had to remind myself of reality: I needed the money, not the family drama.

Finally, Beatrice led me to the very last room on Seth's wing of the estate.

"This will be your room," she said, pushing the door open.

My jaw literally dropped.

A gasp caught in my throat. How on earth could an employee's room look this stunning? The bed looked soft enough to melt into—ten times better than the lumpy, worn-out bed I had at home. There was even a sleek air conditioner humming quietly on the wall. The sheer wealth of these people was dizzying.

"Really? This is my room from now on?" I breathed, needing to hear the validation out loud because my brain was refusing to process it. A mere employee getting a sanctuary like this? It felt entirely unearned.

"Yes. You'll be living on this side of the mansion with Seth since you're his full-time nanny," she replied. She pointed to a sleek intercom mounted near the doorframe. "You can use this to communicate with him just in case he needs anything during the night."

"Got it," I said, a massive, genuine smile breaking across my face as my eyes swept over the gorgeous room.

"I'm sure you understand the stakes now," Beatrice added, her voice dropping back into that chillingly professional tone. "The Callahans do not tolerate mistakes. Make sure you don't make even the tiniest error."

"Sure... I won't," I promised, nodding quickly, determined not to let her warnings dampen my mood.

The moment Beatrice stepped out and the door clicked shut, the professional mask fell away. I practically floated around the room, running my fingers over the smooth furniture.

A crisp, perfectly pressed uniform was laid out on the bed.

Every employee of the Callahans' had their own uniform, but it didn't really matter.

What mattered was that I got the job, and I got a beautiful room for myself.

I jumped to my feet with so much happiness bubbling inside of me until the door creaked open and Mrs. Callahan entered.

"Mrs. Callahan," I muttered.

"I see you're excited for the job," she said, an, elegant smile gracing her lips.

"Yes, I am," I admitted, swallowing my embarrassment and offering a sincere look. "Thank you so much for giving me this chance, ma'am."

"Oh... don't thank me. You should thank Seth," she said. "If he hadn't approved of you, you wouldn't have gotten the job. My son really seems to like you... so I hope you take care of him properly. Like I told you before, I don't joke when it comes to my children. Seth and Vance are incredibly important to me."

Vance?

The room suddenly felt a degree colder. A strange, uneasy sensation rippled through my chest. Why did that name sound so terrifyingly familiar? Saxton Vance.

"Vance?" I uttered, my voice dropping an octave.

"Yes. He's my oldest son. Seth's older brother."

I let out a slow, silent breath, forcing the panic back down. Right. The crippled brother. The arrogant, infuriating Saxton I knew definitely wasn't confined to a wheelchair. Besides, it wasn't like he owned a monopoly on the name Vance. Jessica had mentioned that the jerk grew up with his grandpa anyway. It was just a coincidence.

"Okay, ma'am," I said, a tight smile returning to my face.

"You can officially resume on Monday... right after your shift at the lab," she said smoothly. "That will give you enough time to pack up the few things you have and finally move in. That works for you, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am, perfectly," I smiled.

"Good. Regular schedule starts then. In any case..." Mrs. Callahan paused, her smile turning bright and expectant. "Before you leave today, I want you to meet Vance."

"Huh?" I gasped, my heart stopping instantly as my eyes flew wide open.

A jolt of panic shot straight through my veins. She wants me to meet the older brother? Right now?!