Chapter 74

Christiana’s POV

It was past 11 when I finally dragged myself back to the hotel sude. The weight of the day pressed on my shoulders like an anchor, pulling me down with every step. My heels clicked against the polished floor, the sound echoing in the empty hallway as I fumbled with the keycard. The door creaked open, and I exhaled a long breath, letting the quietness of the suite wash over me

The first thing I did was head straight to the kids room. I couldn’t rest until I knew they were safe, sleeping peacefully. Pushing the door open just a crack. I peered inside. Ethan was sprawled across the bed, his arm draped over Emma, who was curled up with her stuffed rabbit, both of them lost in dreamland.

1 stepped in quietly, careful not to wake them. Leaning down, I kissed Ethan’s forehead, smoothing his hair. He murmured something in his sleep but didn’t wake. Then I turned to Emma, her small face so serene, so innocent. My heart clenched as I kissed her too, the familiar scent of baby powder lingering in the air. I loved these moments. Even though I was exhausted, being their mother made everything else disappear.

“Goodnight, my angels,” I whispered softly before slipping out of the room.

I headed to my own bedroom, expecting nothing more than to collapse onto the bed and sleep for the next twenty–four hours. But when I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks.

There, sitting at the small dining table with a calm, almost smug expression on his face, was Alex. The table was set for one, a meal I hadn’t even noticed when I walked in.

I blinked, completely stunned. “What… what are you doing here!”

He looked up at me, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Waiting for you,” he said simpl drop off the kids, so I did.”

standing up. “You told me to

I narrowed my eyes, still in shock. “I meant drop them off and leave, Alex. The nanny was supposed to take over. You didn’t have to stay.

His lips quirked into a small smile as he walked over, the scent of the food drifting toward me, making my stomach rumble. Loudly. It sounded like a toilet bowl being flushed, and I cringed inwardly.

“I didn’t want to leave until I saw you come home,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “The kids told me you were overworking. So, I stayed.”

I folded my arms, more to protect myself from his presence than anything else. “I can handle myself. You didn’t need to do

this.”

E YOU

softened as he gestured toward the table. “Christiana, relax. You need to eat.

some kind of pasta filled the room. It looked so good, and I was starving, but I

brushing against my arm as he guided me

were weak, my body giving up the fight. I sat down at the table, feeling the weight

before I knew it, I

18:10 Fri, Oct 18

Chapter 74

feel Alex’s eyes on me, but I didn’t

between bites, trying to ignore the way my

my hands,” he said, chuckling softly. “Figured I’d

up at him, my eyes narrowing slightly.

playing

argue, to tell him to stop whatever game he was playing. But the food… the food was too good. I didn’t have the energy to challenge him, not now. So, I just nodded, barely managing

watched me, that soft, knowing smile never leaving his face. I felt vulnerable, sitting there eating the meal he had prepared for me, while he stood so close, so present. I didn’t know what he was trying to do by waiting for me like this…why he was staying

I was too tired to

plate away and leaned back in the chair, my body screaming for rest. Alex was still there, just watching me, and for a moment, the silence between us stretched

was doing, whatever his reasons were…I

Гог

from the table, every inch of my body screaming rest. My shoulders ached, had been aching for hours,

zeroed in on me, his eyes narrowing with concern. “Are you having shoulder

a slow breath, my fingers still kneading the tight muscles. “Lappreciate you staying with the

he stood up in one swift motion. For a second, I thought he was about to walk

I felt his

perfect, just enough to hit the spots that had been aching all day. I opened my mouth to tell him to stop, but the

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