Bonds

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Alex’s POV-

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The days stretched out like an endless desert. Time, once a steady companion, had become a relentless tormentor. I’d gone from being the king of my world to a prisoner of it. Over these past months, the world had shrunk to the size of this cell. I’d learned that even with power at your fingertips, life could still knock you down.

Ivan had played his cards close to his chest. I’d underestimated him, thinking I’d ended the game when I ended his life. But his plans, carefully laid, were like a time bomb I hadn’t defused. Adrian, that backstabbing leech, had seized the opportunity to take over my company. It was a bitter pill to

swallow.

Hours turned into days, days into weeks. I stopped counting. There was no point. All that mattered were the moments I’d spend with Amaya and the kids. It was a long road to get here. Ivy, my little firecracker, had slowly warmed up to me. I think it was my beard. She’d giggle and tug at it, saying I looked like a beast from her stories. It was the first time she’d touched me without fear. Being called a beast didn’t matter in that moment.

Nate was different. Quiet, watchful, like a young hawk. His eyes always seemed to be asking questions without making a sound. But I think he found his answers in just watching.

she’d get me out. I wished she’d stop. She was burning herself out. With all my resources, I couldn’t escape this place, what chance did she have? I’d accepted my fate, but at least I had them to visit. I’d done a lot of bad things. Maybe this was karma, paying my dues like my father. Thinking about him brought back the day of the battle. For once, he’d acted like a real father. His death hurt, a wound that wouldn’t heal. Damon Thorne, the architect of my misery, was dead. I hadn’t forgiven him, but maybe one day I would. As a final act of closure, I’d asked for his body to be found and buried next to my mother. Maybe their souls would sync and he would finally apologize for all that he had done, all the misery he put her thought and maybe together, they

was a victim, a broken soul caught in the crossfire. That is what she had said and she hoped she’d found peace wherever she

All of that?

lost my freedom, but in the chaos, I’d found myself. I could break out of this prison, my mind had

this was my penance.

knew the outcome. Guilty. The room would fall

then he said,

reality. Not guilty. I was free. I stood frozen, unable to process it. Then, two tiny bodies crashed into me, Ivy and Nate. Amaya came up behind them, tears streaming down

my children tight, the first

I was free.

door, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and happiness. “You have to walk out that door, Alex,” she said softly. I took a deep breath, the reality of the moment sinking in. I wanted to be with my family, with them. All eyes were

my family. And then I saw them – Christian, Riley, Natalia, Nathan, and Sarah. Sarah and Natalia were cheering, their joy infectious. Riley was trying to calin them down, Nathan looking amused. For the first time in what felt like forever,

Christian’s smile was the biggest I’d ever seen. “The beard is suiting,” he said, a hint of teasing

burst out of me unexpectedly. He returned the laugh, his eyes filled with genuine relief. “I’m really glad you’re out, Alex. His voice was thick with emotion. He

to seriousness, “Now, enough mushy

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Chapter 164

the others followed in the other vehicles. The drive to the company was a whirlwind of emotions. Every

વે

queen.

floor, my office. Or, rather, Adrian’s. A sleek, modern woman, presumably his PA, stood in front of

there’s been a misunderstanding,” she said,

her voice rising. There was an unspoken threat in her tone that made the PA take a step

handle this because she looked like she had a plan and I would only escalate things

anger, your need for revenge. But you crossed the line when you started working with him.” She