Sophia woke up Wednesday morning feeling like she'd been hit by a truck. Her throat was raw, her head pounded, and every muscle in her body ached. She lay in bed for a moment, willing herself to feel better through sheer determination.
It didn't work.
But Emma and Ethan needed breakfast, needed to get ready for school, and needed their routine maintained. Alexander had an important presentation today, she'd heard him on a conference call until nearly midnight, preparing for what sounded like a crucial meeting with international investors.
She couldn't be sick today.
Sophia dragged herself out of bed, pulling on jeans and a sweater despite the fever that made her alternate between chills and sweats. In the bathroom mirror, she looked exactly as awful as she felt, pale, glassy-eyed, with dark circles that spoke of a restless night.
"Just get through the day," she whispered to her reflection.
Downstairs, the twins were already awake and creating their usual breakfast chaos. Emma had attempted to make cereal and somehow gotten milk on every surface within a three-foot radius. Ethan was sitting on the floor, crying because he couldn't find his favorite dinosaur shirt.
"Good morning," Sophia croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sophia!" Emma looked up from her milk-covered disaster. "You sound funny!"
"Just a little sore throat," Sophia lied, moving to help clean up the mess. The simple act of bending over made her dizzy.
"Are you sick?" Ethan asked with the uncanny perception children possessed. "You look like how I feel when I have a fever."
"I'm fine, sweetheart. Let's find your dinosaur shirt and get you both ready for school."
The next two hours were a blur of stubbornly pushing through tasks that normally felt effortless. Getting the twins dressed, fed, and ready for school while battling waves of nausea and dizziness. By the time Alexander appeared in the kitchen, impeccably dressed and radiating the focused energy that meant today's meetings were important- Sophia was gripping the counter for support.
"Good morning," Alexander said, his attention already on his phone as he grabbed his coffee. "I'll be in meetings all day, but I should be home by six. The Richardson contract needs to be perfect before tomorrow's…" He looked up and stopped mid-sentence. "Sophia, are you alright?"
"Fine," she managed, though her voice was barely audible. "Just tired."
Alexander's gray eyes sharpened, taking in her pale complexion and the way she was swaying slightly on her feet. "You're sick."
"I'm fine. You have your presentation…"
"Daddy, Sophia's been coughing all morning," Emma announced helpfully. "And she forgot to pack my art supplies."
Alexander set down his coffee and moved closer to Sophia, his business-focused expression shifting to something else entirely. "You have a fever."
It wasn't a question. He was close enough now that she could smell his cologne, seeing the concern replacing his usual morning urgency.
"I can handle today," Sophia insisted, even as another wave of dizziness made her grip the counter tighter. "The children need…"
"The children need their nanny healthy," Alexander interrupted. "And you need to be in bed."
"But your meetings…"
"Can wait." Alexander pulled out his phone, already dialing. "Jennifer? I need you to reschedule everything until this afternoon. Family emergency."
"Alexander, no," Sophia protested weakly. "You've been preparing for weeks…"
"And I'll be better prepared if I'm not worried about you collapsing while caring for my children." Alexander's voice was gentle but firm. "Emma, Ethan, get your backpacks. Daddy's taking you to school today."
Both twins perked up immediately. It was rare for Alexander to do school drop-offs, usually leaving that routine to Sophia or occasionally Mrs. Henderson.
"Really?" Emma bounced excitedly. "Can we stop for hot chocolate after?"
"We'll see," Alexander said, but his smile was indulgent. "Go get ready. I need to talk to Sophia."
Once the children had thundered upstairs, Alexander turned his full attention to Sophia, who was still stubbornly trying to clean breakfast dishes despite the fact that she was clearly unwell.
"Stop," he said quietly, placing his hands over hers to stop their movement. "You're burning up."
His touch sent a jolt through her that had nothing to do with fever, and everything to do with the way he was looking at her, with concern that felt far more personal than professional.
"I can't be sick," Sophia whispered. "The children depend on me. You depend on me."
"And we depend on you being healthy," Alexander replied. "When did this start?"
"Last night. But I thought…"
"You thought you could power through it." Alexander's expression was soft, understanding. "Come on. You're going back to bed."
Before Sophia could protest, Alexander scooped her up in his arms, lifting her effortlessly against his chest. The world tilted dangerously, but whether from fever or from being held against Alexander's solid warmth, she couldn't tell.
"Alexander, I can walk…"
"Not while you're swaying on your feet," he said firmly, carrying her toward the stairs. "I've seen corporate executives collapse from less obvious illnesses than what you're battling."
Sophia wanted to argue, but the truth was, being carried felt wonderful. Alexander was strong and steady, and for the first time in years, she felt completely taken care of. His suit jacket was soft against her cheek, and she could feel his heartbeat beneath her palm.
"This is inappropriate," she murmured, but made no move to struggle.
"Taking care of someone who's been taking care of my family? I'd say it's overdue."
Alexander carried her to her bedroom, setting her gently on the bed with a tenderness that made her chest tight with emotions she couldn't name. He disappeared for a moment, returning with a glass of water and what looked like fever medication from his own bathroom.
"Take these," he said, sitting on the edge of her bed. The mattress dipped under his weight, bringing him closer. "And drink all of this water."
Sophia obediently swallowed the pills, acutely aware of how Alexander watched her every movement with protective attention.
"I should call Mrs. Henderson to check on you while I'm gone," Alexander said, but he didn't move to leave. Instead, he reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her fevered forehead.
The gesture was so gentle, so intimate, that Sophia's breath caught. "Alexander..."
"You scared me," he admitted quietly. "Seeing you try to push through this, watching you nearly collapse trying to take care of everyone else first. It reminded me too much of…"
He stopped, but Sophia knew what he'd been about to say. Elena. It reminded him of Elena, who'd been the one to take care of everyone else, who'd put her family's needs before her own right up until the accident.
"I'm not going anywhere," Sophia said softly, understanding his fear. "I just have a cold."
"Promise me," Alexander said, his gray eyes intense. "Promise me you'll rest today. That you'll let someone else take care of you for once."
The vulnerability in his voice broke something open in Sophia's chest. "I promise."
Alexander nodded, seeming satisfied. He started to stand, then paused, his hand still resting against her forehead.
"Your fever's high," he murmured, his thumb tracing across her temple with devastating gentleness. "I should stay…"
"Daddy!" Emma's voice echoed from downstairs. "We're ready!"
The spell broke. Alexander's hand dropped, and he stepped back, the careful distance returning to his expression.
"I'll be back by noon to check on you," he said, his voice professional again. "Mrs. Henderson will bring you soup and tea. Rest."
"Alexander." Sophia caught his hand as he turned to leave. "Thank you. For taking care of me."
His fingers tightened around hers for just a moment, his eyes searching her face. "Thank you for letting me."
After he left, Sophia lay in her bed listening to the sounds of Alexander getting his children ready for school, his patient voice helping Emma find her art supplies, his gentle teasing making Ethan laugh. The fever made everything feel dreamlike, but one thing remained crystal clear.
The way Alexander had looked at her, touched her, cared for her, that hadn't been employer concern.
That had been something much more dangerous.
As she drifted toward sleep, Sophia couldn't decide if that terrified her or thrilled her.
Maybe both.