Alexander POV,
The grand entrance to my mansion welcomed me with its usual elegance and vastness–a line of polished marble floors leading to the magnificent foyer where my staff awaited.
The clatter of fine china and the murmur of busy servants filled the air, a reminder of the world I occupied. The house was alive with activity: bodyguards stationed protectively, butlers moving with care and respect, and maids ensuring every surface gleamed. The atmosphere was one of controlled luxury, a show of affluence that I had come to accept as my reality.
As I walked through the grand hallway, my mother’s stern voice echoed in my mind. She had been waiting for me, as she always did when I returned from business trips. Her expectations were as grand as the mansion itself, and today would be no different. I sighed, mentally preparing myself for another of her persistent lectures.
We gathered for lunch in the dining room–a space that radiated elegance with its lavish decor, crystal chandeliers, and an enormous mahogany table. As usual, the room was a parade of exquisite dishes and impeccable service. Maids flitted in and out, placing course after course on the table, their movements synchronized like a well–rehearsed ballet.
Seated at the head of the table, my mother awaited me with a regal composure. Her eyes, sharp and observing, followed my every movement as I took my seat opposite her. I barely touched my plate, the rich aromas of the meal completely lost on me as my mind lingered on the encounter at the airport.
“So, Alexander, my mother began, her voice smooth yet edged with impatience. “It’s been five years since your engagement to Bianca. I was hoping that by now, we’d be discussing wedding preparations and the thought of grandchildren. Eve waited long enough. Time is slipping away.”
I sighed heavily, stirring my food absentmindedly. “Mother, Bianca’s not ready for children yet. She’s still deeply invested in her career. She wants to enjoy her success before considering a family”
Her brow furrowed, clearly displeased. “Is that so? Five years ago, you left that wretched woman Christiana because she couldn’t bear you children, and now you’re with someone who doesn’t want them? How can you be so patient?”
My jaw tightened at the mention of Christiana. It was a painful reminder of a chapter I wished to leave behind. I glanced down at my plate, the weight of my silence pressing heavily on me.
Finally, I broke, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Mother, there’s something I need to tell you. Christiana is back in the city”
Her eyes widened, her expression transforming into a mask of disgust. “Christiana? That woman? What could she possibly want here? Surely, she’s a beggar by now. If she dares come close to us, you should have your men teach her a lesson.”
I clenched my fist under the table, struggling to maintain my composure. “Actually, Christiana has done quite well for herself. She’s a wealthy businesswoman now. Built her wealth from the ground up
My mother stared at me, her shock evident. “Wealthy? You must be joking. She must have slept her way to the top or stolen from someone. There’s no other way a woman like her could achieve such success”
My discomfort grew. “No, Mother. Christiana would never do such things. She’s always been principled.”
Her face twisted with contempt. “Why are we even discussing this barren witch? Why give her any importance?”
I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the final blow. “Christiana.. She has children now. Twins. They’re about five years old.”
My mother’s fork froze mid–air, her eyes wide with incredulity. “Children? Are you certain she didn’t adopt them?”
I shook my head, my voice steady but laden with emotion. “The children are hers. It turns out they’re also mine. She was pregnant when we divorced. The twins are my own.”
The silence that followed was thick, filled only by the distant hum of the mansion’s activity. My mother’s face was a picture of shock and disbelief, her carefully constructed composure shattered by this news.
Her eyes widened, and she gaped at me, struggling to process the news. “How is this possible?” she asked, her voice quivering, “You were preparing the divorce papers. You had no contact with her. How could she be pregnant with your children?”
I nodded, my own frustration simmering just below the surface. “I slept with her one last time before the divorce was
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Chapter 7
finalized. That’s when she got pregnant.”
Her expression shifted from shock to skepticism. “Are you absolutely sure these children are yours? How can you be certain?”
I met her gaze steadily. “They look exactly like me. It’s unmistakable.”
The realization hit her like a blow. She could hardly contain her shock, her face was of anger and incredulity. Before she could respond, my phone rang, shattering the tense silence.
I glanced at the screen and saw it was one of my trusted employees. I excused myself from the table, trying to keep my composure as I answered the call. “What’s happened?”
The voice on the other end was urgent. “Sir, I have some bad news. The building we were interested in–the one on Main Street has just been purchased by someone else. They’re already moving in.”
My heart sank. This was the building I had my sights set on the location I planned to use for a major expansion. The idea of losing it was infuriating. I could feel my anger bubbling to the surface.
what
it?” I demanded.
“Sorry, I don’t have that information yet,” the employee replied.
Without hesitation. I made
triple if necessary.”
Aur
decision. “I’m on my way there now. I don’t care what it takes; I need that building. I’ll pay
I ended the call and turned back to my mother, my expression was of frustration and determination. “I have something important to handle. I need to leave.”
I grabbed my coat and stormed out of the dining room, the lavish affair fading behind me. My mind was already focused on how to rectify this situation and ensure that building was secured, no matter the cost
As 1 left the mansion, the weight of the day’s revelations and my urgent business dealings clashed in my mind. I had t
o act quickly. The stakes were high, and failure was not an option.
