Chapter 51

Alexander POV

I stared at the documents spread out on my desk, but the words blurred into meaningless shapes. For the life of me, I couldn’t focus. My mind kept drifting back to Christiana, to the kids, to the fire. Guilt ate at me like a never–tiring predator. I’d built an empire, commanded respect from everyone in the business world, yet here I was–unable to protect the people who mattered most, Useless.

The dull hum of my office phone snapped me back to the present, but I ignored it. My hands clenched into fists on top of the polished oak desk as I tried to will myself into action, into something productive. Anything to stop the helplessness eating away at me. But nothing came.

Just as I was about to give up for the day, the door to my office burst open with a loud bang, sending papers flying off my desk.

“Daddy!” Ethan’s voice rang out, bright and full of energy, followed by Emma’s giggle.

I blinked, stunned, as the kids ran toward me, their little feet pounding against the hardwood floor. For a second, I just sat there, frozen in disbelief. Of all the people I’d expected to walk through that door, they were the last.

They crashed into me with the force of a small hurricane, their arms wrapping around my waist as I instinctively knelt down. to their level. “What–what are you guys doing here?” 1 stammered, still recovering from their sudden appearance.

Ethan grinned up at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief, while Emma tucked herself under my arm, her face pressed against my shoulder. “We missed you, Daddy!”

“I missed you too, buddy. I missed both of you,” I said, hugging them tight, trying to swallow down the lump in my throat. The warmth of their tiny bodies pressed against me was almost overwhelming. I didn’t realize how much I needed this–how much I needed them–until this very moment

“Mom said we could come see you,” Emma chimed in, her voice soft but sure.

“Yeah, we’re staying in a hotel now,” Ethan added, his tone more matter–of–fact. “The house is gone, but Mom’s gonna get us a

new one. A safer one.

My chest tightened. The fire. Their home, destroyed. I pulled back slightly, looking between their innocent faces. “Are you both okay? No one hurt you?

Emma shook her head. “No, Daddy. We’re okay.”

Ethan was already talking again, rattling off about the hotel. “It’s huge! We have a big room, and there’s a pool too. But we didn’t go swimming yet because Mom said not until your ankle feels better. And we have room service, but it’s not like at home. Mom said we’ll get a new home soon, though. And it’ll be better than before.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, even though the weight of the situation hung heavily over us all. “That’s good to hear, champ.”

As they continued to talk, excitedly telling me about their new temporary setup, my eyes scanned the room instinctively, searching for the one person I expected to be right behind them. Christiana. But she wasn’t here.

A part of me deflated, and I realized how much I had hoped–how much I had needed to see her too.

Just then, the door to my office opened again, more gently this time, and two large men stepped inside her bodyguards.

children. She said she’s currently tied

disappointment and relief flood through me. Disappointed that she wasn’t here, that I wouldn’t be able to talk to her, to see her face after

I said, trying to sound more

door as if waiting for further instructions, but I focused back on Ethan and

11:53

Chapter 51

small hand resting on my arm. “But

twisting deeper in my gut. I’d been so caught up in everything–my own emotions, the chaos–that I hadn’t

through Ethan’s hair before pulling Emma

out. You guys don’t need to worry about

both nodded, their trust in me so complete, so pure. It

of things, but she said you’re doing

smiled tightly, ruffling his hair. “Yeah, something like

the space with life, the hollow ache in my chest lessened, but the questions remained. I still couldn’t shake the feeling that this was

here herself? Or it could be she wanted them to spend

corridors as Ethan and Emma’s excitement filled the room, their little hands gripping mine as we made our way through

the office like wildfire. I knew what they were thinking. These two kids–my kids–were a complete shock. For years, I had kept my personal life guarded,

boardroom, where some of my top executives were gathered for a meeting I was supposed to attend. The room went silent the

pride. “Ladies and gentlemen, meet my children–Ethan and

cheeky grin and waved. “Hil We’re here to

and said, “We’re staying at

the shock plastered on everyone’s faces. They were trying to reconcile the image of me, Alex Alistair–the ruthless. billionaire CEO–with the man now holding the hands

found

raised an eyebrow. “Well, now you do. And for

eyes shining with excitement. “Daddy, can we go now? You promised

the room, I tone serious now. “I’m taking the rest of the day off. Handle everything that comes in. I trust you all can

my

as I turned and led Ethan and Emma out, their giggles filling the air as we

fleet of black SUVs was already waiting. The bodyguards moved into position immediately. securing the area as we piled into the backseat of one of the cars. Ethan and Emma were practically bouncing with

first, Daddy?” Emma asked, her voice

eager.

hit the toy

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Chapter 51

pumping his fist in

I continued, “we’ll head to the amusement park. I hear they’ve

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