Page 75 of Primal God

Finally, I say, “I know you both like Nanny W. I like her, too, but there is a lot that goes into finding the right momma.”

“Will you at least think about it?” Clara asks with eyes that remind me of her own mother. “We like her and we’re afraid she’s going to leave us.”

“Why are you afraid? Has Nanny W said something?”

My mind goes to the boyfriend, and I don’t fucking like it.

“No, but we heard her asking you about an interview for a new nanny.” Clara’s bottom lip juts out. “We don’t want a new nanny. We want Nanny W to stay here forever.”

“I promise that no matter what happens, you, Diego, and Isadora will be taken care of.”

“What about you,Papai?”

“I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Clara doesn’t look convinced, but nods. I kiss her on the head and do the same with Diego before slipping out of their room. My gaze goes to Lilith’s door.

I will be fine.

I have to be.

Monday and Tuesday are hell at work, and I spend most of my day in surgery cases. On Tuesday, I manage to get out on time and arrive at the house at 4:45. Lilith is in the living room with the kids. She’s wearing her hair down and there’s something different about her I can’t place. Maybe it’s because her make-up is heavier than usual. She doesn’t look bad, of course, just different. Or maybe I’m just being more observant. I didn’t get to see her yesterday. By the time I got home from work, the kids were down, and she was in her room. Instead, I ate by myself and went to bed feeling strangely…lonely.

Lilith realizes I’m there and says, “Okay, kiddos. Time to go play upstairs for a bit.”

She leads the kids away and I get a whiff of her perfume.

My damn chest aches.

She returns a few minutes later with the baby monitor in hand and takes a seat away from me. Not only that, but she won’t look me in the eyes. Instead, she looks over something in a notebook.

“Questions?”

Her gaze meets mine for a moment before skirting away. “What?”

“Are those questions to ask the potential nanny?”

“Oh. No. Just some research.”

I’m about to reply when the doorbell rings. I make my way to the front door and open it. A young woman smiles up at me, holding out her hand. She’s a few years older than Lilith, with red hair and green eyes that sparkle in excitement.

“A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Santos. I’m Miranda Odell.”

I shake her hand and say, “Nice to meet you, too, Ms. Odell. Right this way.”

I lead her to the living room, where Lilith is now standing.

“Ms. Odell, this is my current nanny, Lilith Wolfe. Lilith has agreed to sit in on the interview.”

Lilith smiles. “Nice to meet you. I believe you graduated a few years ahead of me.”

Ms. Odell grins. “I knew you looked familiar! How have you been?”

“Good, and you?”

“Good.” She turns to me. “Well, I’m feeling better about this interview already. You must be good people if Lili works for you.”

I wish I could say the same. I really do. But having another woman in this house has me wanting to send her away. Instead, I motion for the couch.

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