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.

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

for a proper burial for Miranda. She 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 was.

All of that?

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

was

fighting for me. But I knew the outcome. Guilty. The room would fall silent, and I’d accept my fate.

he said, “Not guilty.”

the air, a fog in my brain. The slam of his gavel brought me back to reality. Not guilty. I was free. I stood frozen, unable to process it. Then, two tiny bodies crashed

did it. I held my children tight, the first tear escaping my eye.

I was free.

door, Alex,” she said softly. I took a deep breath, the reality of the moment sinking

I couldn’t comprehend. All I wanted was to go home with 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, the loneliness that had haunted me for years was gone. I had my family, these crazy people Amaya had brought

we navigated through the crowd of reporters. When we finally reached them, Christian’s smile was the

a laugh 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 stuff. We’ve got

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Chapter 164

down at Amaya who simply nodded, her determination clear so I let them take the lead. She, Christian, and I stepped into one car while the others followed in the other vehicles. The drive to the company was a whirlwind of emotions. Every familiar sight was a stark reminder of the life I’d left behind. When we arrived, heads turned as we entered the building. I felt like a ghost, a relic of a past era. Amaya, however, moved through the crowd

વે

queen.

Adrian’s. A sleek, modern woman, presumably his PA, stood in front of the

dangerously, and for a brief moment, she seemed to be someone else entirely. “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding,” she said, her voice low and menacing.

rising. There was an unspoken threat in her tone that made the PA take a step back. With a swift movement, Amaya pushed past her, and I followed.

on my chair. Anger flared within me, but I knew I had to let Amaya handle this because she looked like she had a plan and I would only

I were at the start of this. The fake pictures of us broke Alex and me apart. I understood your anger, your need for revenge. But you crossed the line when you started working with him.” She produced a file of documents. “I have proof of every life you helped him take. You might have gotten away with it once, but not this time.” She stepped closer, her voice dripping with contempt. “You’re going away