Alexander POV
I stared at the documents spread out on my desk, but the words blurred into meaningless shapes. For the life of me, I couldn’t focus. My mind kept drifting back to Christiana, to the kids, to the fire. Guilt ate at me like a never–tiring predator. I’d built an empire, commanded respect from everyone in the business world, yet here I was–unable to protect the people who mattered most, Useless.
The dull hum of my office phone snapped me back to the present, but I ignored it. My hands clenched into fists on top of the polished oak desk as I tried to will myself into action, into something productive. Anything to stop the helplessness eating away at me. But nothing came.
Just as I was about to give up for the day, the door to my office burst open with a loud bang, sending papers flying off my desk.
“Daddy!” Ethan’s voice rang out, bright and full of energy, followed by Emma’s giggle.
I blinked, stunned, as the kids ran toward me, their little feet pounding against the hardwood floor. For a second, I just sat there, frozen in disbelief. Of all the people I’d expected to walk through that door, they were the last.
They crashed into me with the force of a small hurricane, their arms wrapping around my waist as I instinctively knelt down. to their level. “What–what are you guys doing here?” 1 stammered, still recovering from their sudden appearance.
Ethan grinned up at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief, while Emma tucked herself under my arm, her face pressed against my shoulder. “We missed you, Daddy!”
“I missed you too, buddy. I missed both of you,” I said, hugging them tight, trying to swallow down the lump in my throat. The warmth of their tiny bodies pressed against me was almost overwhelming. I didn’t realize how much I needed this–how much I needed them–until this very moment
“Mom said we could come see you,” Emma chimed in, her voice soft but sure.
“Yeah, we’re staying in a hotel now,” Ethan added, his tone more matter–of–fact. “The house is gone, but Mom’s gonna get us a
new one. A safer one.
My chest tightened. The fire. Their home, destroyed. I pulled back slightly, looking between their innocent faces. “Are you both okay? No one hurt you?
Emma shook her head. “No, Daddy. We’re okay.”
Ethan was already talking again, rattling off about the hotel. “It’s huge! We have a big room, and there’s a pool too. But we didn’t go swimming yet because Mom said not until your ankle feels better. And we have room service, but it’s not like at home. Mom said we’ll get a new home soon, though. And it’ll be better than before.”
I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, even though the weight of the situation hung heavily over us all. “That’s good to hear, champ.”
As they continued to talk, excitedly telling me about their new temporary setup, my eyes scanned the room instinctively, searching for the one person I expected to be right behind them. Christiana. But she wasn’t here.
A part of me deflated, and I realized how much I had hoped–how much I had needed to see her too.
Just then, the door to my office opened again, more gently this time, and two large men stepped inside her bodyguards.
“Mr. Alistair,” one of them said with a nod. “Miss Davis sent us to bring the children. She said she’s currently tied up with work but will pick them up herself in the evening”
I felt disappointment and relief flood through me. Disappointed that she wasn’t here, that I wouldn’t be able to talk to her, to see her face after everything that had happened. But relieved that she trusted me with the kids. She trusted me enough to let them come, despite all the tension between us.
“Thank you,” I said, trying to sound more composed than I felt.
The bodyguards stood by the door as if waiting for further instructions, but I focused back on Ethan and Emma. “You guys doing okay at the hotel? Anything you need?”
11:53
Chapter 51
“We’re okay, Daddy, Emma said softly, her small hand resting on my arm. “But we want you to come visit us too.”
Her innocent words hit me hard, guilt twisting deeper in my gut. I’d been so caught up in everything–my own emotions, the chaos–that I hadn’t even thought to visit them at the hotel.
“I’ll come soon, I promise,” I said, running a hand through Ethan’s hair before pulling Emma close again. “I’ll come see vo
both, okay? And we’ll figure everything out. You guys don’t need to worry about anything.”
They both nodded, their trust in me so complete, so pure. It was almost crushing.
“We know, Daddy. Mom’s taking care of things, but she said you’re doing important stuff too.” Ethan said, his tone was of pride and expectation.
I smiled tightly, ruffling his hair. “Yeah, something like that.”
As they continued to talk, their chatter filling the space with life, the hollow ache in my chest lessened, but the questions remained. I still couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something darker. Something I hadn’t anticipated.
Christiana had sent the kids here, but why wasn’t she here herself? Or it could be she wanted them to spend some alone time with me?
The sound of laughter rang through the corridors as Ethan and Emma’s excitement filled the room, their little hands gripping mine as we made our way through the office. Today was about them. No more distractions. No more guilt. They deserved my full attention.
As we walked toward the boardroom, I couldn’t help but notice the stares from my employees. Their curious eyes darted between the kids and me, whispers of surprise traveling through the office like wildfire. I knew what they were thinking. These two kids–my kids–were a complete shock. For years, I had kept my personal life guarded, distant from the business. But. now, I was done hiding.
We stepped into the boardroom, where some of my top executives were gathered for a meeting I was supposed to attend. The room went silent the second they spotted the kids. All eyes were on us. I watched their jaws drop, trying to make sense of the scene before them.
I smirked, feeling a strange sense of pride. “Ladies and gentlemen, meet my children–Ethan and Emma.”
Ethan, never one to shy away from attention, gave a cheeky grin and waved. “Hil We’re here to see our dad.
Emma, quieter but no less brilliant, simply smiled and said, “We’re staying at a hotel now, but Daddy’s going to take us out.”
I could see the shock plastered on everyone’s faces. They were trying to reconcile the image of me, Alex Alistair–the ruthless. billionaire CEO–with the man now holding the hands of two small children. It was almost amusing to see how out of their depth they were
One of the executives, a woman named Vanessa, finally found her voice. “Mr. Alistair… I didn’t know you had children.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Well, now you do. And for today, they’re my top priority.”
Ethan tugged on my arm, his eyes shining with excitement. “Daddy, can we go now? You promised we’d go to the toy store first!”
I chuckled. “Yes, yes, we’re going. Just had to introduce you to some important people first.” I turned back to the room, I tone serious now. “I’m taking the rest of the day off. Handle everything that comes in. I trust you all can manage.”
my
The executives nodded, still looking stunned, as I turned and led Ethan and Emma out, their giggles filling the air as we left the boardroom.
Once we were outside, my fleet of black SUVs was already waiting. The bodyguards moved into position immediately. securing the area as we piled into the backseat of one of the cars. Ethan and Emma were practically bouncing with excitement.
“Where are we going first, Daddy?” Emma asked, her voice soft but
eager.
“Well,” I said, glancing back at them with a grin, “I thought we’d hit the toy store first, then maybe get some ice cream. How does that sound?”
11:53 AM
Chapter 51
“Yes!” Ethan shouted, pumping his fist in the air.
“And after that,” I continued, “we’ll head to the amusement park. I hear they’ve got some new rides you might like.
Their eyes lit up at the mention of the amusement park, and for a moment, I felt lighter than I had in days. Whatever chaos was happening outside of this moment didn’t matter. Today was about them.
We pulled up to the most exclusive toy store in the city, and I didn’t hold back. I let them run wild, picking out whatever they wanted. Ethan’s eyes went straight to the giant Lego sets, his mind already working on how he was going to build the biggest tower ever. Emma, on the other hand, gravitated toward the dolls and art supplies, her eyes gleaming with every new item she
found.
“Daddy, can we get this one?” Ethan asked, holding up a Lego set that was bigger than he was.
“Of course,” I said, without hesitation. “Get whatever you want.”
The store attendants looked like they might faint from the sheer amount of toys I was buying, but I didn’t care. Today was about giving the kids whatever made them happy, no matter the cost
After we loaded the car with more toys than they could ever play with, we headed to the ice cream parlor. The kids sat on high. stools, devouring massive sundaes as I watched them, smiling at how carefree they were. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a real father–one who could give them the world, who could protect them from everything outside this bubble. Ethan wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, chocolate smudged across his check. “Daddy, can we go on the roller coaster at the amusement park?”
“Only if you’re brave enough.” I teased, knowing full well he would be.
“I am!” he said with confidence, while Emma giggled beside him, already finished with her ice cream.
The day carried on like a dream. We spent hours at the amusement park, riding everything from the Ferris wheel to the roller coaster. Ethan was fearless, dragging me on ride after ride, while Emma held onto my hand, smiling as she soaked in every
moment
Bodyguards trailed us everywhere we went, but I barely noticed them. It was just me and the kids, and for once, I didn’t feel like the weight of the world was crushing me. I could just be their dad–the dad who could give them anything, and they deserved it all.
As the sun began to set, we walked through the park, their little hands in mine, stuffed animals tucked under their arms from the games we’d played. I could see the exhaustion in their eyes, but they were still buzzing with excitement from the day.
“Daddy, today was the best day ever,” Ethan said, his voice full of genuine happiness,
I smiled, my heart full. “I’m glad you had fun, buddy.
Emma, half–asleep against my side, whispered, “Can we do this again soon?”
“Anytime you want,” I said softly, kissing the top of her head.
As we headed back to the car, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and fulfillment. This was what it was all about. No matter what else was going on–business deals, t
hreats, fires–they were my world.
For now, everything else could wait. Today was theirs, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
