Chapter 33

Alexander POV.

My head was pounding like a jackhammer, the aftereffects of too much whiskey and bad decisions. The hangover clung to me like a fog, making everything blur at the edges. I sat on the couch, replaying every moment of the meeting earlier today, and with each memory, my regret twisted deeper like a knife.

What the hell was I thinking? How did I let this happen?

It all started with that phone call. I should’ve known better than to answer my mother when I was still half–drunk and disoriented. But when she called that afternoon, insisting I show up to discuss something urgent with the legal team, I dragged myself there, thinking it was some business–related nonsense. Never in a million years did I expect to sit in that room and see Christiana walking in, ready to go to war.

The moment our eyes met, I knew. I knew she thought I was in on it, that I had planned this ambush. The hurt and fury in her eyes said it all. And the worst part? I couldn’t even explain myself, couldn’t even get the words out, because the reality was I didn’t even know what the hell was happening until I got there. I couldn’t face her. I couldn’t meet her gaze because I knew what she was thinking–that I was just as cold, calculating, and manipulative as my mother. But I wasn’t. At least, I didn’t want

to be.

“Christiana, this isn’t a fight,” I’d tried saying, desperate to get her away from that toxic atmosphere, away from the legal vultures my mother had surrounded herself with. I wanted to take her somewhere we could actually talk, where I could explain that this wasn’t my doing. But she shut me down so fast, my words died in my

throat.

through

the ways I’d hurt her, they came crashing down on me at that moment. But now, with this mess, she’ll never believe it wasn’t my plan.

burning inside me. I never wanted this. I never wanted to hurt her again. But now, because of my mother’s scheming and my own stupidity for showing up, I’ve probably pushed her even further away. How the hell am I supposed to

the door opening snapped me out of my thoughts. My mother strode in like she owned the place, her heels clicking against the marble floor, her presence as suffocating as

said sharply, her voice laced with irritation. “I assume you’re going to thank me for taking the necessary steps to ensure those

up to face her. “Are you out of your mind, Mother? I told

weak to do yourself. Those children need stability, and Christiana is

the one who’s been raising them while I was off being a complete idiot! And you think you can just waltz in and take them away from her

what’s best?”

man you are today. Don’t forget that.

trying to hold back the rage boiling inside me. “This isn’t about what’s best for anyone. This is about control, about you trying to manipulate everything like you always do. But this

flashing with fury. “You’re being naive, Alex. You think that woman is capable of giving those children the

with barely restrained anger. “You don’t get to talk

Chapter 33

for Ethan and Emma than I ever have. And you-“I took a step

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