A nanny for the CEO widower

"I'm with your husband right now. You have no idea how he makes love to me."

Elise had been patiently waiting for her husband to finish work when an unexpected message lit up her phone screen. The sender was unknown, but the content hit like a dagger straight to the chest.

Stunned, she read the words over and over again, trying to process what she'd just received. A crushing pain settled in her chest while her mind struggled to deny it.

She tried calling back, but the line was dead.

"This has to be a joke," she whispered, trying to keep herself calm.

They had been married for three years, and she was pregnant. It couldn't be true.

The sound of the front door opening pulled her from her daze.

"Why are you so late? I hate being alone, especially now, with the baby so close to being born."

José looked at her with cold indifference.

"I've told you a thousand times, Elise. I don't care about that baby. I wish you weren't pregnant," he snapped, walking past her and heading straight to the bedroom.

"José, wait. Dinner's ready. I waited for you so we could eat together. Please, sit down."

She followed him, but he continued ignoring her with the same icy distance as always.

Heartbroken, Elise returned to the dining room. She sat alone, gently cradled her belly, and decided that if no one else would listen, at least she would speak to her child.

The hope of her child was the only pillar keeping Elise standing.She had no family-only her husband, José-who had once been her only close bond. But everything changed the moment she told him she was pregnant.

A sudden noise pulled her out of her thoughts: the dragging sound of wheels scraping against the floor. She turned around just in time to see José walking out of the bedroom, a suitcase in his hand.

"Are you going on a trip?" she asked, unable to hide her surprise.

"It's not a trip," he answered coldly. "I'm leaving you for good. I can't stand you anymore."

Tears burst from her eyes uncontrollably.

"No-please, José! Don't leave me. I have no one in this world, and our child is about to be born!"

He let out a bitter laugh."That's exactly why I'm leaving. You're useless."

Desperate, Elise grabbed his arm, sobbing and struggling to breathe. But without a trace of compassion, he shoved her hard, making her fall backwards onto the couch.

"No, José... I'm begging you. Why are you doing this to me?"

She had given her life to him-devoted, attentive, always making sure he had everything he needed. She made him dinner, kept his clothes spotless, and never once complained. She'd put him on a pedestal, loving him blindly.

"Get off me!" he snapped. "I'm leaving with a woman who's actually on my level. Goodbye."

The door slammed behind him, and in that moment, Elise's world collapsed. Who would look after her and her baby now?

Days dragged by slowly. Her due date was approaching, and the fear of giving birth alone kept her awake at night. She barely had the essentials for the hospital-much less for when she returned home. That's when she realized just how alone she truly was.

There were no friends or relatives to call. Her son's life-her little Angel-depended entirely on her. But amid the tears and heartbreak, she discovered an unexpected courage. She made herself a promise: she would do whatever it took to protect him and give him the best life possible.

One month later...

"There, there, my love... calm down. Mommy's still sore," Elise whispered, rocking her baby while the pain from childbirth still ached in her body.

She had exhausted every last resource she had. Since her son's birth, she had carried all the responsibilities on her own. The pain was still there, both physical and emotional, but worse yet was the growing lack of food and baby supplies-a living nightmare.

In desperation, she decided to look for a job. She needed money urgently. But the days passed, and no one wanted to hire a woman who had just given birth and carried her baby everywhere she went.

The hunger became unbearable. She hadn't eaten in days, and her milk barely sustained her baby, who cried endlessly. His diaper was soaked, and Elise had no spare to change him.

With her heart pounding, she rushed into the supermarket. She wandered down the aisles, looking around anxiously, and without another thought, she grabbed a pack of diapers. She was about to leave when she bumped into a tall woman, who looked down at her with contempt.

"Mr. Sam, over here!" the woman shouted, pointing at Elise as if she were a dangerous criminal. "Quick! This woman's stealing!"

Elise froze. The color drained from her face. Instinctively, she pulled her baby closer to her chest, as if that small gesture could shield them from the humiliation and the pain. In that moment, she remembered-there was no husband to protect her anymore. She was entirely alone.

"What's going on here? Why all the shouting?"The deep, measured voice of old Sam echoed through the store. He was the supermarket's owner, a man whose tired eyes still held warmth.

The woman didn't hesitate, her voice dripping with scorn."Look at her, Sam. She's using her baby as an excuse to steal. Call the police-this woman belongs behind bars."

Sam turned his gaze toward Elise. Her tear-filled eyes dropped to the floor in shame.

"Is that true, young lady?" the old man asked. His voice wasn't harsh-it was gentle, as if he already sensed the real story behind what he was seeing.

Elise quickly wiped away her tears, ashamed of her appearance and the situation she was in. Her baby continued to cry softly in her arms, as if he too could feel his mother's despair.

"I'm coming, Mr. Matías," Clara replied in a syrupy tone, switching instantly from arrogance to a submissive smile.

The man, clearly impatient, shifted his attention toward Elise and the bag of groceries Sam was packing. His deep, piercing blue eyes lingered for a moment on her exhausted face, then on the small child wrapped in a fraying blanket.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked, his brow slightly furrowed.

Sam shook his head gently and smiled kindly."Nothing that can't be solved with a little compassion, Mr. Matías."

The man nodded, as if those words were enough to understand the situation. Clara scoffed and hurried off to prepare the coffee.

"Thank you, Mr. Sam," Elise whispered, clutching the bag to her chest. "I don't know how to repay you."

"Just take care of your little one and stay strong. And remember-I'll call you if I find something for you," the old man said, patting her shoulder with kindness.

Matías silently watched Elise walk out of the supermarket, her head bowed and her steps unsteady, while her baby nestled close to her chest. Something about that image deeply unsettled him."Sam, who was that woman?" he finally asked, his eyes still fixed on the door that was slowly swinging shut after Elise's departure.

"A mother fighting her way through life, sir. One of those people who just need a chance to make it."Matías said nothing for a moment, then pulled out his wallet and placed a couple of bills on the counter.

"Next time she comes in, make sure she doesn't lack anything. And get me her number, Sam. I might have something for her."Sam smiled knowingly and nodded."I knew you'd say that, Mr. Matías. I just knew it."

"Mr. Rochefort, something disgraceful is going on here... but let's go, it's not worth it. Pardon us."The woman kept her disdainful eyes on Elise, who, unable to defend herself, could only lower her head, cheeks burning with humiliation in front of the man.Lucien Rochefort. The imposing president of Rochefort Industries.

As he did every afternoon, he stopped by Sam's supermarket to grab a coffee. Always the same ritual, always the same demeanor: an impassive face, eyes cold and devoid of any emotion.But for some reason, this time his eyes paused on Elise. Just for a second-but it was enough.

Behind that façade of indifference, something inside him stirred. The woman, cradling her baby, radiated fragility. She wasn't just beautiful; there was something in that scene-the desperation, the vulnerability-that struck a chord Lucien hadn't even known was there.Not fully understanding why, he quickened his pace, as if putting distance between them might extinguish that sudden unease."Good afternoon, Sam.

Forgive my secretary-she has this habit of meddling in things that are none of her business.""No problem, young man!" Sam replied with a forgiving smile, while Clara's face remained rigid, as if the taste of defeat was unbearable. "Come on, Clara. Let me take care of this."

Clara and Lucien walked out of the supermarket. They were already late for their meeting, but Lucien's mind was no longer on his schedule. His secretary's words still echoed in his head, and before he could stop himself, he broke the silence, eyes fixed on the road."What the hell happened in there? Why did you take so long?"

"You won't believe it, boss," Clara said with a huff. "That woman with the kid... she was stealing! I caught her myself, but of course, she started crying like she was the victim. Sam-soft as always-felt sorry for her and instead of calling the police, decided to give her food. And you know what else?""What? Just say it already," Lucien snapped, though in truth, her words were of little interest to him. His mind was elsewhere, circling a far more pressing problem: his son's nanny had quit, and knowing how wild Phillippe was, finding a replacement wouldn't be easy.

"Well, turns out Sam offered to help her find a job instead of throwing her out. Can you believe it? Who would hire a thief? That woman can't be trusted.""You're right," Lucien muttered, eyes still on the road, as if the conversation didn't concern him. His thoughts remained on the same troubling loop: what was he going to do about his son? He didn't trust anyone, and every attempt to find a caregiver had ended in failure.

Phillippe, only six years old, still hadn't adjusted to losing his mother. His rebellion was a silent scream of pain, a constant challenge that scared away every nanny in a matter of days. None of them seemed capable of handling his wild nature.Since the sudden death of his wife, Lucien had built his life around two pillars: his company and his son. And though he tried hard to be a present father, work consumed most of his time, leaving him with a bitter sense of inadequacy.The last nanny, Teresa, had come with great references and a remarkable amount of patience... until she met Phillippe.

"Get out of here! I don't want you-I want my mommy!" the boy shouted, arms crossed with the fierce stubbornness of someone who refused to give in."But you have to eat, sweetheart. If not, you'll get sick," Teresa pleaded, trying to stay calm."I don't want to! I won't eat!"And without a second thought, he flung his plate of food at her, staining her spotless dress.

Teresa stood frozen, caught between shock and helplessness.But it didn't stop there. Phillippe started throwing everything he could get his hands on-toys, cushions, anything that could help him make his point."That's enough, Phillippe! Please..." Teresa's anguished voice echoed through the house, reaching the first floor.

Alerted by the screams, Lucien stormed up the stairs, frown tight, his patience hanging by a thread.

But what's going on here?His son's chaos didn't truly surprise him.

"I don't want this nanny, Daddy. I want my mommy."

"We've talked about this, little one. Your mommy is in heaven. It's hard for her to come back."Lucien hugged him tightly. Even though he knew his son's behavior wasn't the best, he understood him. Just like himself, the boy missed the woman who had left them.

"Your son is a spoiled brat, sir! I quit!"Teresa stormed out. She was the third nanny to give up in just a week.

Despite being a millionaire who could afford to pay anyone to raise and care for his son, Lucien hadn't found the right person - someone who could not only do the job but also give the boy the love that every small child needs.

Meanwhile, Elise had returned to Sam's grocery store in search of work.

"Good afternoon, sir. Do you remember me?"

"Of course I do. How are you? You look much better. And the little one, how's he doing?"

"He's doing great, growing fast - and so is his appetite. I wanted to ask if you've heard of any job openings. I really need to find something soon. Maybe here at your store?"He interrupted her gently.

"Well, young lady, I haven't heard anything lately. And here, unfortunately, we only sell enough for my wife and me. It's a small place, just the two of us. But fill out your résumé. I might be able to pass it along to some neighbors. I've heard they're looking for housekeepers."

"Thank you so much, sir. Of course."She sat down to fill it out, breathing life into her hope once again. But as if fate were playing games, the store door opened - it was Lucien's coffee hour. This time, he came alone.

"Good afternoon, Sam. The usual."He walked in without even noticing Elise's presence.

"Hello, Mr. Rochefort, right away."Sam headed straight to the espresso machine. Lucien stood right next to Elise, completely unaware of her. She, on the other hand, recognized him immediately - by his scent, and above all, by his presence. Who could forget a man as striking as him?

Lucien felt her gaze, and though his face remained expressionless, he felt uneasy. Still, he ignored it, pulled out a bill, and handed it to Sam.

"Here you go."Lucien's face betrayed his stress. His blood boiled with frustration at not having found anyone to take care of his son. Sam noticed.

"Lucien, are you okay?" he asked.

"No, Sam. Do you know of any woman qualified to take care of Philippe? I haven't been able to find anyone suitable, and I just don't have the time to be with him full-time."

"It's a tough ask, sir. It's hard to recommend someone for a responsibility like that. But if I hear of someone who's prepared for the task, I'll let you know immediately."

Upon hearing the mention of a job, Elise didn't hesitate to interrupt their conversation. Maybe these kinds of coincidences meant something. Maybe destiny had put them all in that place for a reason.

"I could do it, sir. I could be your son's nanny."At the sound of her voice, Lucien turned to look beside him - and there she was, the petite woman. He didn't recognize her immediately, but the baby in her arms and the features of her face made it clear: she was the woman from before.

"You?" he asked, eyeing her from head to toe.

"Yes, me, sir. I don't have a formal education, but I know a lot about household work, and most of all, I know how to care for a child."She was lying - she had only raised her own son and was just beginning to learn. But she spoke with confidence.

Lucien suddenly remembered his secretary's words:Who would trust a thief?

Still, out of prudence, he didn't call her that - not yet. He simply dismissed her.

"No, miss. Thank you for the offer, but I'm looking for someone more qualified."His gaze was sharp, almost wounding.

She lowered her head, feeling the sting of his rejection. But at least she had tried.

Lucien walked out once again. Though she had somehow captivated him once more, she wasn't an option. He didn't even really know who she was.

"What an arrogant man," she said to Sam.

"No, girl. He's not like that. His kid has behavioral problems. Besides, he's a widower, just like you - a single parent. Trust doesn't come easy for him. And his secretary is the one who caught you stealing from me the other day, so I doubt he'd think you're someone he can trust."

"I know," she sighed, disheartened.It could have been a good opportunity.

"Clara, I need you to help me find a nanny. The housekeeper can't keep managing both the mansion's duties and taking care of him at the same time. And with the big Ferragamo deal coming up, my time will be even more limited."

"Mr. Rochefort, I've already told you-you're too demanding when it comes to the nanny's profile. I honestly don't know who else to ask. Besides, the agencies don't even want to hear Phillippe's name anymore. All the nannies have refused because of his behavior."

"There has to be someone in the world willing to care for him. Post the job offer again, and if necessary, double the salary. I just don't understand why no one wants to look after my son."

Clara merely rolls her eyes.

"Sir, I've told you-Phillippe needs psychological help."

"He has it. His trauma from losing his mother has been hard to overcome. I need someone who truly cares for him, someone who sees beyond just basic caretaking."

"Sir, that's asking a lot. I advise you to look for someone less professional and more maternal. That might actually help."

"But what are you saying, Clara? I need someone who can help with schoolwork, who can teach him as well."

"And don't you also want someone who can give him love?" Clara tried to persuade him gently.

"Yes... yes, that's what I want." Lucien was visibly confused. He knew it was nearly impossible to find all those qualities in one person. And even if he did, the real challenge was whether his son would accept her. He felt like he was losing his mind.

Lucien had no idea what he was going to do about his young son. Clara's words kept echoing in his head, but no potential candidate came to mind.

He and Elise were walking down very different paths, but they shared similar needs: both were struggling to care for their children, no matter what.

Elise was still job hunting. She had visited Sam a few times and had managed to earn his trust. He had recommended her for shifts at various places, but nothing steady ever came through, so money was still tight.

Thankfully, Sam's wife was very kind and helped take care of Elise's baby while she worked. She had formed a close bond with them.

One afternoon, Elise stopped by to pick up her baby after a long shift.

The café door opened.

"I already told you, Clara, we need to sign that contract immediately!" Lucien's sharp voice echoed through the place, causing Elise to look up at once.

"But sir, it's just that..." Clara noticed Elise's presence.

"Ah, and what do we have here? The little thief." Lucien turned to confirm-and yes, it was her again. Elise flushed with shame, unable even to defend herself.

"Hey Clara, same order as usual?" Sam tried to ease the tension, but it was Lucien who broke it.

"Yes, Sam. Make it quick, please-we're in a hurry."

"Right away."

"Sir, I really think we need to change venues. We shouldn't frequent a place that welcomes people like this woman. I can't believe you still come here knowing Sam allows her in." Lucien looked at Elise with thinly veiled disdain.

"It's the only café close to the company. Where else are we going to get coffee like Sam's? Stop with the nonsense." Clara merely pressed her lips together. Her boss had just embarrassed her.

At that moment, Elise could only remain silent. Then Lucien's phone rang-it was a call from home.

"Sir, this is Greis speaking. I can't handle your son anymore. Either you come get him, or I'm leaving."

"No, no, Greis. You can't resign. You've been with us for ten years. Please, be patient while we find a nanny!" Lucien couldn't help but raise his voice.

"Sir, either you find a nanny, or I swear I'm quitting." The woman hung up. Lucien was stunned.

Then he noticed Elise still staring at him. Though he found the idea far too risky, he decided to speak with her.

"Miss, have you found a job yet?" Elise looked away but realized he was talking to her. She pointed at herself, surprised.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Do you have time for an interview?" Sam looked at her, nodded, and smiled. He had known Lucien for years-he was a good man, though a bit gruff. And even though he had only known Elise for a few months, he could tell she was good too.

"Yes, of course."

"Be at this address tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp, please." He handed her a card with the mansion's details. She accepted it, and her eyes lit up.

Clara, completely against the idea, was furious. She couldn't understand her boss's sudden decision.

The Next Morning

"Good morning, Mr. Rochefort." She had arrived perfectly dressed and right on time.

"Good morning, Miss... Could you remind me of your name, please?" He hadn't even bothered to ask before. He took her résumé and studied it.

"I'm Elise Willys. It says so right there on my résumé." Her voice was filled with unshakable confidence-driven by the love she felt for her child.

"But according to this, you not only lack formal education, but also any experience as a nanny. That's concerning." He raised an eyebrow while scanning the page. He wasn't convinced.

"Sir, I'm a mother. I also helped raise my two younger siblings. I can assure you I've got plenty of experience."

"Hmm." Lucien now looked her up and down.

Elise was quite humble-her clothing made that obvious-but she was cultured and stunningly beautiful.Her blonde hair and slender body revealed a natural beauty, but that wasn't what stood out. What captivated him was her charisma, and also the urgency in her eyes to find someone who could care for her child.

"Sir, I assure you, if you hire me, I'll do my best to be the best nanny for your son. I'm very patient."

"Here, this is the salary." He handed her a sheet detailing the job conditions. Her jaw almost dropped, but she managed to keep her composure. She couldn't afford to show how desperately she needed the job.

"Very well, Mr. Rochefort. You tell me-when do I start?" she asked, convinced the job was hers already, trying to win Lucien over.

"One moment, please. You still need to pass the most important test."

When he said that, she felt her hope crumble. She assumed the test was whether or not his son would accept her, and she had never dealt with children before.

"Phillippe, son, please come here."

Two minutes later, the boy came down the stairs. His face was pale-he didn't like the sun. His eyes were full of sorrow, and his cold expression, just like his father's, lacked any sign of emotion.

"Another nanny, Daddy? I don't want one," the boy said, folding his arms.

"We need someone to help take care of you."

The boy didn't take his eyes off Elise. She felt intimidated for a moment, but her maternal instinct helped her settle into the situation a little better.

"Little one, my name is Elise. It's nice to meet you." She reached out her hand, but he pulled his back.

"If you want, we can play together. I like playing. Do you like it?"

He shook his head. She knew she was already losing.

"He's not into games. We follow a strict study and learning routine. Playtime is usually not part of it," Lucien stepped in immediately.

"What do you mean, no playing? He's just a child!" she said, covering her mouth as soon as the words escaped-she realized she had made a big mistake.

"Daddy, I do want to play. Tell her to teach me how," the boy said.

Those words made Elise's heart twist. You didn't need to be wise to see how much love that child was missing.

Lucien, having no better options at the moment, simply gave in.

"Fine. You're hired. But your working hours are from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon. That's when I take over. Oh, and you can't bring your baby to work. Figure something out with him. If you don't have any objections, we'll sign right now."

"Perfect, Mr. Lucien. So, when do I start?"

"Today."