Chapter 52

Alexander POV,

As I watched Ethan and Emma run around the park, their laughter echoing through the crisp afternoon air, my heart felt lighter than it had in days. Ethan suddenly stopped mid–run, turning to face me with that bold, curious look that always reminded me so much of Christiana.

“Dad, can we stay with you tonight?” he asked, his tone direct, as if he was negotiating a deal.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. “What about your mom?” I asked, already anticipating what her response might be.

Ethan grinned, his confidence radiating. “You should call her! Tell her we want to stay.”

I felt a surge of satisfaction ripple through me. The thought of them wanting to stay with me–it made the tension I’d been carrying all day melt away. I pulled out my phone, dialing Christiana’s number.

After a few rings, she answered, her tone neutral. “Alex.”

“Christiana, how are you?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, knowing her cold response was coming.

“I’m fine,” she replied curtly, not bothering to ask me the same. I could practically feel the wall between us.

I didn’t let her tone deter me. “Ethan and Emma want to stay with me tonight. They’re here with me now, and they’ve been asking. I think it would be good for them.”

There was silence on the other end. I imagined her sitting wherever she was, stunned at my directness. When she finally spoke, her voice had a bite to it. “Alex, they can’t just stay with you. I’ve already made arrangements for them at the hotel. They need stability right now.”

Ethan and Emma had wandered back to my side, and I could hear them whispering, talking about how much they wanted to stay. I held the phone a little closer to my ear, hoping Christiana could hear their voices in the background.

“Mom, please,” Ethan called out, sensing the conversation was about them. “We want to stay with Dad. Just for one night.”

Christiana sighed on the other end, and I knew she could hear the sincerity in their voices. There was a long pause, and I could tell she was weighing the options.

“I don’t know, Alex, she said, her voice softer now but still skeptical. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Christiana,” I said firmly, not backing down. “They’re safe with me. They need this. Just for tonight. Let them stay

Another long pause. Then, finally, with reluctance, she gave in. “Fine. Just for one night. But I expect them back early tomorrow.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that formed on my lips. “Of course,” I said, my tone respectful, though inside I was already planning the night ahead. “Thank you.”

“Don’t push your luck, Alex,” she warned, and I could almost see the sharp look in her eyes through the phone. “And don’t think this changes anything”

“I understand,” I replied, my voice low, but my heart was racing. Christiana may have her walls up, but I knew the kids needed both of us. This was a small victory, and I wasn’t about to ruin it.

without another word, and I slid the phone back into my pocket, turning

Ethan asked, his eyes wide

grinned. “Looks like you’re staying with me

around me. I held them tightly,

pulled up to the long driveway leading to my house, I glanced at the rearview mirror and watched Ethan and Emma’s faces light up. Their eyes widened as they took in

Clupter 52

far beyond the eye

this really your house?” Ethan’s

smile, stepping out of the car and walking around to open

hand slipped into mine as soon as she hopped out. “It’s so

could see them glancing around, mouths slightly open. It was the first time they’d been here. Too much time had been lost, but I was determined to make tonight

around,” I said, gesturing toward

do you have a game room? Or like

tugged at my hand. “You’ll see

took them from room to room, showing them the grand living spaces, the library, and finally, the movie room, which made. Ethan nearly jump out of his skin in excitement. Emma giggled beside me,

quietly, looking up at me

a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You can stay wherever you feel most comfortable. My room, your own room, it doesn’t matter. I

before Emma could answer. “Dad, I’m starving! What’s for

already prepping something extravagant, but I raised a hand, signaling for him to stop. “I’ve got this one.” I said, my voice firm. The chef looked a little confused, but he nodded, bowing

her voice

neck, “It’s been a while, but yeah, I can. Let’s see if I still have the

the other servants who were lingering nearby. The butlers, the maids–they all faded into the background as

by the counter. “What

as I stirred a pot. “Something simple, but it’s a

help?” Emma asked, her voice soft but

said, handing her a small spoon to stir the sauce.

hot

“This is cool. I didn’t

a lot you don’t know about me, buddy. But I plan

their chatter. Emma was carefully stirring while Ethan rambled on about everything and nothing at once. They bombarded me

interruptions. I served them plates of spaghetti, and as they dug in, I couldn’t help but

really good, Dad,” Ethan said between mouthfuls, his face smeared with

nodding her head vigorously. “I like

Chapter 52

so heavy. These were my kids, and they were here with me, under my roof. I hadn’t been there for them like I should’ve been, but tonight I was going to make up for

we sat around the living room, talking and laughing. Ethan, as usual, had a million questions about the house. “Dad, do you

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