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.

of them said with a nod. “Miss Davis sent us to bring the children. She said she’s currently tied

wasn’t here, that I wouldn’t be able to talk to her, to see her face after everything that had happened. But relieved that she trusted me with the kids. She trusted me enough to let them come, despite all the

to sound more composed than I

by the door as if waiting for further instructions, but I focused

11:53

Chapter 51

softly, her small hand resting on my arm. “But we want you to come visit us

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

through Ethan’s hair before pulling Emma

okay? And we’ll figure everything out. You guys don’t need

their trust in me so complete, so pure.

taking care of things, but she said you’re doing important

smiled tightly, ruffling his

my chest lessened, but the questions remained. I

had sent the kids here, but why wasn’t she here herself? Or it could be she wanted them to spend

laughter rang through the corridors as Ethan and Emma’s excitement filled the room, their little hands gripping mine as we made our way through the office. Today was about them.

curious eyes darted between the kids and me, whispers of surprise traveling through the office like wildfire. I knew what they were

my top executives were gathered for a meeting I was supposed to attend. The room went silent the second they spotted

feeling a strange sense of pride. “Ladies and gentlemen, meet my children–Ethan and

to shy away from attention, gave a cheeky grin and waved. “Hil We’re

no less brilliant, simply smiled and said, “We’re staying at a hotel

Alistair–the ruthless. billionaire CEO–with the man now holding the

woman named Vanessa, finally found her voice. “Mr. Alistair… I

raised an eyebrow. “Well, now you do. And for today, they’re my top

can we go now? You promised we’d go to the toy

first.” I turned back to the room, I tone serious now. “I’m taking the rest of the day off. Handle everything that comes in. I trust you

my

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

moved into position immediately. securing the area as we

first, Daddy?” Emma asked, her voice

eager.

thought we’d hit the toy store first, then maybe get some

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Chapter 51

pumping his fist

that,” I continued, “we’ll head to the amusement park. I hear they’ve got some new rides

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