Warning: Gender swapped Vincent
---
Rody leaned back in his chair, savoring the last bite of his dinner. The flavors were perfectly balanced, a mix of rich, creamy sauce with just a hint of lemon that made his taste buds tingle. "Vanessa, this is amazing," he said, smiling at the woman across the table.
Vanessa, the new live-in nanny, smiled modestly as she wiped her hands on her apron. "I'm glad you like it, Rody. The kids are just finishing up their dessert. Do you want me to bring them out?"
"Sure, that'd be great," he replied, glancing at the clock. "Manon should be home soon, too."
As Vanessa walked back into the kitchen, Rody's thoughts drifted to his wife. Manon had been so busy with work lately. Between her career and the demands of raising three kids, she was often tired, stressed, and distant. He understood, of course. He was tired too, juggling his own job and trying to be a good husband and father. But the spark they once had was fading, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to reignite it.
When they first decided to hire a nanny, Rody thought it would ease the tension, give Manon some breathing room. Vanessa had been a godsend. She was attentive, patient, and the kids adored her. But lately, something had shifted. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was a new tension in the air, a quiet unease that crept into the corners of their home.
Vanessa returned with the kids in tow, each one carrying a bowl of ice cream. Their faces lit up with joy as they dug into their treats. Rody watched them, his heart swelling with love. They were growing up so fast, and he cherished these simple, everyday moments.
"Daddy, can we play a game after dessert?" asked Sophie, the oldest.
"Of course, sweetheart," Rody replied, ruffling her hair. "How about a quick game of Uno?"
"Yay!" Sophie cheered, while her younger siblings, Liam and Zoey, nodded excitedly.
As they finished up their dessert, the front door opened, and Manon walked in, her face tired and drawn. Rody stood up to greet her, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "How was work?"
"Exhausting," Manon replied, her eyes scanning the table. "Dinner smells good."
"Vanessa outdid herself again," Rody said, gesturing to the kitchen. "There's some left if you're hungry."
Manon's eyes flickered, a brief moment of something dark passing over her features before she forced a smile. "Maybe later."
Rody noticed the tension in her voice but decided not to press the issue. Instead, he sat back down with the kids and started setting up the game. Manon lingered by the doorway, her gaze fixed on Vanessa as she moved about the kitchen, cleaning up the dishes.
"You're really great with the kids, Vanessa," Rody said, glancing over at her as he shuffled the cards. "I don't know what we'd do without you."
Vanessa's smile faltered for a split second, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. "I'm just happy to help. They're wonderful kids, Rody."
"They love you," Rody said, dealing out the cards. "Sometimes I think they like you more than us." He laughed lightly, but the words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken.
Manon's jaw clenched as she watched them. She'd noticed it too, how the kids seemed to flock to Vanessa, how they called her 'Mama' when they thought Manon wasn't listening. It cut deeper every time she heard it, a reminder of how little time she spent with them, how strict she had to be when she was around. It wasn't fair. She was their mother, not Vanessa. But the kids didn't see it that way.
Manon's grip tightened on the edge of the counter as she watched Rody and Vanessa exchange smiles, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable. She hated how easily he complimented Vanessa, how he praised her cooking, how he looked at her with an affection that Manon hadn't seen in months. And now, the kids were calling Vanessa 'Mama.' It was too much.
As the evening wore on, the unease in the house grew thicker. Vanessa tried her best to keep her feelings hidden, to push down the longing that twisted in her chest every time she saw Rody with his kids, with his wife. She'd always wanted children, but life had dealt her a different hand. When she first took the job, it was supposed to be just that-a job. But somewhere along the way, she'd fallen in love. Not just with the kids, but with Rody too.
It was wrong, she knew that. Rody was married, and he loved his wife, even if things were strained. Vanessa had tried to keep her distance, to remind herself of her place, but every day it got harder. The kids were so sweet, so trusting, and Rody was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a partner-kind, caring, funny. But he wasn't hers to love.
As the game of Uno came to an end, Vanessa started gathering the kids for bedtime. "Time to get ready for bed, guys. You know the drill."
The kids groaned in unison but obediently started heading upstairs, leaving Rody and Manon alone in the living room. Vanessa hesitated at the base of the stairs, catching Rody's eye. "Goodnight, Rody," she said softly.
"Goodnight, Vanessa," he replied, his voice warm. "Thanks for everything today."
Vanessa nodded and turned to go, her heart aching with every step she took. Upstairs, she tucked the kids into bed, giving each of them a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Sweet dreams, my loves."
"Night, Mama," Zoey mumbled, her small hand reaching out to grip Vanessa's.
Vanessa froze, her breath catching in her throat. "Goodnight, Zoey," she whispered, her voice trembling.
The word 'Mama' echoed in her mind as she left the room, a bittersweet pang in her chest. She knew she should correct them, remind them that she wasn't their mother. But the truth was, she loved hearing them call her that. It made her feel like she was a part of something she'd always wanted but could never have.
Downstairs, Manon sat in silence, her mind racing. She could feel the distance between her and Rody growing wider with every passing day. She hated how her kids seemed to prefer Vanessa, how they looked at her with adoration and called her 'Mama' without hesitation. But more than that, she hated how Rody seemed to be slipping away from her, his attention and affection slowly shifting toward the woman who wasn't her.
"Rody," Manon finally said, her voice strained. "Do you think...do you think the kids like Vanessa more than me?"
Rody looked at her, surprised by the question. "What? No, of course not. They love you, Manon. You're their mom."
"But they call her 'Mama,'" Manon said, her voice breaking. "They never used to do that."
Rody frowned, unsure of what to say. He hadn't noticed it before, but now that Manon mentioned it, he realized she was right. The kids had started calling Vanessa 'Mama' more often, and it wasn't just a slip of the tongue. "I'm sure it's just a phase," he said, trying to reassure her. "They spend a lot of time with her, that's all."
Manon shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm losing them, Rody. I'm losing you."
Rody's heart ached at the pain in her voice. He reached out, taking her hands in his. "Manon, you're not losing us. I promise. I love you, and the kids love you. We're just...going through a rough patch. But we'll get through it, together."
Manon nodded, but the doubt lingered in her eyes. She wanted to believe him, but the fear of losing everything she loved was too strong, too real.
As the night wore on, Vanessa lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her heart was heavy with guilt and longing, torn between her feelings for Rody and the reality of her situation. She knew she couldn't stay here forever, not when every day brought her closer to a line she couldn't cross.
But for now, all she could do was cherish the stolen moments she had, the small glimpses of a life that wasn't hers to live.
In the quiet darkness of the house, the unspoken feelings and fears swirled like shadows, each one clinging to the fragile threads of a family on the brink of change.
