Chapter 111

Alexander POV.

I woke up to a pounding headache, the kind that felt like someone was taking a jackhammer to my skull.

Groaning, I pushed myself up, the sheets twisted around my legs.

My mouth felt like sandpaper, and as I ran a hand through my hair, the night came back to me in flashes….her face, the bar, my hand gripping her arm.

Christiana.

The memory hit me like a slap to the face, and I slumped back, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. I’d been an idiot, a complete, utter idiot. My own voice from last night echoed in my head: “Did he touch you? Your hands, your body?” I winced, pressing a hand to my temple. What the hell had I been thinking? I’d torn down every inch of pride I’d built up in a single night, laid bare every weak part of me, and for what?

For the first time in years, I felt like I was losing myself.

I dragged myself out of bed and staggered to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. I gripped the sink and looked at myself in the mirror, my reflection looking as ragged as I felt. There was a weight in my chest, something sharp and heavy, that only seemed to grow as I remembered the look in her eyes. She’d been angry…furious even, but there had been something else, something that only twisted the knife deeper.

I could still hear her voice in my head, that mix of anger and hurt. “You’re a fool, Alex. A complete fool.”

She was right.

I let out a deep breath, trying to pull myself together, but the hangover wasn’t just physical… it was like her presence lingered, that sharp reminder of every mistake I’d made, of every reason she had to hate me.

“Good job, Alex,” I muttered to myself, my voice heavy with sarcasm. “Way to really make an impression.”

I closed my eyes, jaw clenched. I knew what I had to do. I’d made up my mind, but it felt like ripping out a piece of myself. For Christiana’s sake…for the kids, I’d keep my distance. She’d never forgive me if I showed up at her door again, not after last night. But that didn’t mean I’d leave her without protection.

I knew Bianca was free, lurking somewhere, and with every nerve in my body, I sensed she’d come back with a vengeance. It was a game of caution now, and I couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes. Not with the people I cared about most on the line.

So I’d keep out of Christiana’s way. I’d make sure she was safe, but from afar. She wouldn’t even know I was there, watching, protecting.

the knowledge that

room when I heard the knock. I hadn’t called for anyone, so I assumed it was James, maybe

deal with the

could say anything further, the door flew open. My heart jumped, and I turned, ready to reprimand whoever it was… but

the doorway, was Christiana….and our

as they ran toward me. For a second, I couldn’t move. I simply stared, stunned, as

warmth, the way they buried their faces in my neck, it was everything. I held onto them tightly, their laughter filling the

brought the kids to see me.

1/3

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1:55 PM

Chapter III

enough to look at me, his

in, her tiny fingers brushing over my face as

troublemakers,” I laughed, squeezing them a little tighter. “I missed you more

smile that felt as unfamiliar as it was heartwarming. She was still, her expression gentler than I’d seen in a long

her voice soft yet sincere, “I… I’m sorry, Alex.” She cleared her throat, as if pushing through her own hesitation. “I tried to keep the kids away, but… you’re their father. Nothing can

realized I was holding onto. I glanced up at her, feeling a raw gratitude that I couldn’t put into words. “Thank you, Christiana,” I said,

usual frost in her eyes. There was something softer, something that made my chest tighten. It was as

outside with your mom for a second? Daddy needs to

hug before they bounced over to Christiana. She guided them out, her hand on Emma’s shoulder, while two of her bodyguards stationed themselves just outside the door.

face, trying to clear my head. It was as though everything that had gone wrong over the past few days had been erased, replaced with this simple, unexplainable

spray drench me. It was a pathetic attempt to wash away the alcohol clinging to my

her eyes lit up when she was angry. I gripped the edge of the shower, trying to ground myself,

my heart raced. I turned, wondering who in the hell was that, but as the figure stepped into the light,

breathed, disbelief

veil, and for a moment, it felt surreal…like a scene pulled from a dream. My

stepped into the shower, fully clothed, and closed the distance between us. The fabric of her dress clung to her body, soaking up the water, and I could only

managed to choke out, but

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