Chapter 55

Alexander POV,

The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of my penthouse, putting a golden hue over the room. I could hear the soft hum of chatter coming from the kitchen, where the maids were helping the kids freshen up. Emma’s giggles and Ethan’s more serious tone were a comforting contrast to the usual silence of my mornings

I leaned back against the kitchen counter, watching as the chef carefully prepared breakfast–pancakes, eggs, and bacon, just the way the kids liked it. I hadn’t seen them this happy in a long time. Last night had been… perfect. They were relaxed, full of questions about everything in the house, and for once, I felt like I was giving them something they needed–me.

The chef placed the plates on the table, and I called out to the kids. “Breakfast is ready!”

Emma came running in first, her hair still slightly damp from her bath, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the food. “Daddy! Pancakes!” she squealed, climbing into her seat with a big grin. Ethan followed shortly, more composed but with a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“You made sure the pancakes have extra syrup, right?” Ethan asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he examined the plate in

front of him.

I chuckled, nodding. “Of course. Extra syrup, just like you asked.”

Emma was already halfway through her first pancake, syrup smeared on her cheeks, while Ethan took a more careful bite. The room was filled with the sound of their chatter as they started telling me about their favorite cartoons and how they wanted to go to the park later. I nodded along, letting their voices wash over me, feeling that rare sense of peace.

Just as I was about to take a sip of my coffee, the doorbell rang. My brow furrowed. I wasn’t expecting anyone.

“Hold on a second,” I told the kids, standing up and walking toward the door. When I opened it, I felt my stomach drop.

There she was my mother, Margret Alistair, standing in the hallway with her commanding posture, her lips pressed into a thin line, though I could see the excitement in her eyes.

She was the picture of control, every inch of her perfectly polished, from her tailored suit to her coiffed hair. I hadn’t seen her in person in a while, and frankly, I wasn’t ready for whatever she had planned.

“Mother,” I greeted, forcing a smile. “This is… a surprise.”

Her eyes flicked past me into the apartment, her expression softening slightly when she spotted the kids at the table. “I heard the children were staying with you for the night. I thought it was about time I met my grandchildren properly.”

I stepped aside, letting her in, though my gut told me this wasn’t going to go well.

The moment she entered, her eyes were glued to Emma and Ethan. “My goodness,” she whispered, her voice trembling with unexpected emotion. “They’re beautiful.”

Emma looked up. her fork paused mid–air as she stared at the unfamiliar woman entering the room. Ethan, ever the observant one, narrowed his eyes slightly, not saying anything but watching her closely,

I walked over, placing a hand on Emma’s shoulder. “Kids, this is your grandmother. My mother.”

Emma’s eyes widened, “Grandmother?” she asked, her voice rising in excitement, but before she could say more, Ethan reached across the table and grabbed her hand.

He leaned over and whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear, “She looks mean.”

Time seemed to stop. I froze, my eyes snapping to my mother, whose face twisted inf shock and insult. Emma blinked, looking between Ethan and my mother, unsure what to do. I could feel the tension rise instantly, like a storm brewing.

Mom’s smile faltered. “Excuse me?” Her voice was icy, her usual control slipping just a fraction. She looked between the two kids, her eyes narrowing. “What did you just say, young man?”

Ethan straightened, meeting her gaze without flinching. “You look mean,” he repeated, this time more confidently, as if he were just stating a fact.

11:54 AM

Chapter 55

heart sank. This

diffuse the situation. “Mother, they didn’t mean it

darkened, and she turned to me with a look that could freeze fire. “This,” she hissed, pointing at the children, “is what

all because of her.”

jaw. “Christiana has raised them well, Mother.

mean. That’s not honesty; that’s poor upbringing. You need to get them

sharp edge of her accusation, the disdain she always had for Christiana bubbling to the surface. But I wouldn’t let her turn this into an

said firmly, my voice low but steady. “They’re not ruined. They’re kids. They say things without thinking sometimes, but

“Oh, has she? Then why do

taking a deep breath. “They’re not wild. They’re curious. They’re smart. And they know when someone’s not being

were now watching the exchange with wide eyes. “Curious? Smart?” She shook her head, her

chair, but Ethan stood his ground, watching my mother with those sharp eyes of his, as if he could see through her facade. I

They’re not spoiled, and they’re not lacking discipline.

is fine?” She gestured toward the kids. “If you keep letting them act like this,

despite the anger boiling inside me. “I’m not going to lose them. And I won’t

My mother stared at me,

cold. “You’ll see

heart pounding in my chest. I glanced back at Ethan and Emma,

a deep breath, forcing a smile. “Don’t worry about her,” I said softly, walking over to the table and kneeling down to their level. “She’s just…

his expression serious. “She really

help but chuckle, ruffling his hair. “Yeah, she can be. But don’t let it bother you. You did

finally spoke up, her voice small. “Are we

my head. “No, sweetie. You’re not in

hug, holding them close as the weight of the morning settled over me.

They were mine, and I wasn’t going to let anyone–not

11:54 AM

Chapter 14

of the day with the kids was quiet but full. After the tension from my mother’s visit, I was determined to make the most of the time I had with them. Emma and Ethan deserved to feel like they belonged here–no interruptions, no harsh words, just…

new trick she’d learned in gymnastics, while Ethan–ever the more composed one–sat beside me, explaining

you can use a

little legs sticking out

both of them. “Ethan, we’ll get back to Monster Strike in a minute,” I said, playfully nudging him. “Right now, we’ve

excitement as she tried the flip again, this

arms. “You’re going to

Emma said

It had been too long since I’d seen them this free, this happy. It was in moments like this that

to check

on the second ring. “Hey,” I greeted her, trying to

the tension in her voice. “When

off by late afternoon,” I assured her, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was still early. “They’ve been having a great

could feel the weight of her silence. “You said afternoon, Alex. Don’t

my frustration in check. “I know.

me talk to

out the phone. “Mom wants to talk

grabbing the phone eagerly. “Hi, Mommy!” she chirped, smiling as she began talking.

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