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.

like ice, slicing through me when she gave a

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. Why would she? Especially after I told her I’d be in the kids‘ lives no

my fist into the armrest, cursing myself. “Damn it, Alex! How could you be so stupid?” My voice echoed in the empty room, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the self–loathing burning inside me. I never wanted this. I

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

to talk, Alex,” she said sharply, her voice laced with irritation. “I assume you’re going to thank me for taking

back, standing up to face her. “Are you out of your mind, Mother? I told you to stay out of my business with Christiana and the kids! I thought we agreed

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

was off being a complete idiot! And you think you can just waltz in and take them away from her because

what’s best?”

eyes narrowed, her voice cold and unforgiving. “I raised you, Alex. I molded you into the man you are today. Don’t forget that. I know what’s best

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 is my family. Mother. My kids. Stay the

fury. “You’re being naive, Alex. You think that

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

Chapter 33

Emma than I ever have. And you-“I

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