Chapter 72
Alexander POV
Saturday morning dawned crisp and bright as I pulled up to the hotel, the familiar ache of anticipation fluttering in my chest. I hadn’t seen Christiana in two days, and despite the emotional turmoil we’d been through, I was determined to make this day count. I stepped out of the car, the cool air brushing against my skin, reminding me of the stakes involved.
As I entered the suite, 1 immediately sensed the tension. Christiana was on the phone, pacing back and forth with an intensity that spoke volumes. Her brow was furrowed, and for a moment, I just stood there, taking her in. The way her hair fell over her shoulders, the focused set of her jaw; it was a beautiful mess, but I could see the weight of her thoughts. “Mom, are we ready?” Ethan’s voice broke through my reverie, his little face lighting up as he saw me.
1 knelt to his level, matching his enthusiasm. “Ready to have some fun?”
“Yeah! Can we go to the park?” Emma piped in, her eyes sparkling.
Christiana ended her call and handed me the kids, her expression softening just a bit. “Bring them back before nightfall,” she instructed, but there was an edge to her tone, a hint of worry that made my chest tighten
“Don’t worry.” I assured her, meeting her gaze. “I’ll take good care of them.”
As they tugged at my arms, I noticed the slight tension in the air between us. I cleared my throat, feeling the weight of what had transpired two nights ago hang over us like a storm cloud. I wanted to bridge that could see she was still guarded.
to draw her back to me, but I
I reached into my bag and pulled out a small, exquisitely wrapped box, feeling hopeful. “I got you something,” I said, extending it toward her.
Her expression shifted to one of reluctance. “Alex, I-”
“Don’t say no yet!” Ethan chimed in, eyes wide. “It’s a present, Mom!”
Emma nodded vigorously, hands on her hips. “Yeah! You shouldn’t make a big deal out of it!”
Their enthusiasm was infectious, but Christiana’s face remained set in determination. “It’s too much, really,” she insisted, attempting to push the gift back toward me.
品
I felt both disappointment and admiration watching the kids rally for me. “It’s just a small gesture. I thought you might like it,” I said, trying to keep my tone light
“Mom, please!” Ethan pleaded, his gaze filled with hope.
“Yeah, Mom! Just take it!” Emma added, her little voice firm.
Christiana sighed, the conflict evident on her face. “I appreciate, but I can’t accept it right now, I’m just… trying to figure things out
Watching her struggle to protect her heart was painful. “Alright, I said, putting the box back in my bag, a wave of frustration washing over me. “But I’m not going to stop trying”
The kids continued to chatter excitedly, pulling me into their world, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Christiana was still keeping me at arm’s length. I admired her strength, but I wanted to break down those walls
As we prepared to leave, I glanced back at her, determined. “Just remember, I’m here. For you and for them.”
She met my gaze, and for a fleeting moment. I thought I saw a flicker of the connection we once shared. But then, she
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Chapter 72
turned away, back to her calls, leaving me feeling both hopeful and frustrated.
Today would be a step forward, no matter how small. I wouldn’t let my feelings for her dim.
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The sun was bright overhead as we arrived at the park, the laughter of children ringing out in the air. Ethan and Emma bounced in their seats, eyes wide with excitement. I parked the car and turned to them, a smile breaking across my face.
“Alright, are you ready for some fun?” I asked, unbuckling my seatbelt.
“Yeah!” they shouted in unison, leaping out of the car before I could even open the door. I chuckled, shaking my head. They were so full of energy
As we strolled through the park, the greenery enveloped us. I took a deep breath, relishing the moment…just me and my kids, no bodyguards, no business calls. It felt liberating.
“Can we go to the playground first?” Ethan asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Sure thing, buddy,” I replied, watching them dash ahead. Their laughter was infectious, echoing in the crisp air. I followed them, my heart swelling with pride.
At the playground, I joined them on the swings. I pushed Emma gently, her giggles ringing out as she soared higher. “Faster, Dad! I want to touch the sky!” she squealed, her hair flying back
“Okay, but only if you promise not to fly away!” I laughed, giving her an extra push.
Ethan was climbing to the top of the jungle gym, his small frame determined. “Look at me, Dad!” he called, balancing triumphantly on the edge.
“Be careful up there, champ!” I warned, instinctively taking a step closer. The protective instinct in me kicked in, ready to spring into action if he slipped.
After a round of slides and swings, we wandered to the pond. I pulled out my phone, snapping pictures of the kids as they chased after ducks. “Say ‘cheese!” I called, capturing their genuine smiles.
“Quack, quack!” Emma shouted, pretending to be a duck as she waddled around, making us all laugh.
We moved on, strolling hand in hand, soaking in the sunny day I felt lighter, like the burdens of my life had momentarily faded away. Just being with them, seeing them so carefree, filled me with a joy I hadn’t realized I was missing-
“Can we go watch a game now?” Ethan asked, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“Absolutely! I heard there’s a local match happening at the stadium nearby. Let’s head over,” I replied, ruffling his hair.
The excitement bubbled as we made our way to the stadium, and the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Fans in jerseys fitted the stands, and the smell of popcorn wafted through the air.
Once we found our seats, the game kicked off. I leaned back, arms crossed, watching my kids reactions. They cheered and clapped, their faces painted with enthusiasm.
“Go team!” Emma yelled, bouncing in her seat. I couldn’t help but smile at her sheer excitement.
“Let’s go, let’s go!” Ethan shouted, mimicking the players on the field.
As the game progressed, I felt their happiness enveloping me, a warmth spreading through my chest. In those moments, I was just Alex, their dad…not the billionaire or the businessman. I was their hero, their protector, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
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Chapter 72
When the game ended and the home team won, the kids erupted in cheers, and I felt a sense of pride swell within me. “That was awesome, Dad! Can we come again?” Ethan asked, his eyes wide with excitement.
“Of course, anytime you want” I promised, tousling his hair again.
As we headed back to the car, Emma slipped her hand into mine, and Ethan followed suit. I looked down at them, their smiles contagious, and for that fleeting moment, everything felt perfect. I couldn’t help but think about how I wanted to make more memories like this, how I wanted their happiness to be my priority.
As we drove through the familiar streets, the excitement from the game still buzzed in the air. Ethan and Emma chatted animatedly about their favorite moments, and I couldn’t help but smile at their infectious enthusiasm. The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, putting a warm glow through the car windows.
“Hey, kids.” I began, keeping my tone casual. “How would you feel about visiting Grandma? She’s been asking to see you.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching their expressions shift. Ethan’s brow furrowed slightly, and Emma exchanged a quick look with him. I remembered their last visit, Ethan had called her mean, and it hadn’t ended well.
“Is she still.. you know, grumpy?” Ethan asked, his voice small.
1 chuckled softly, trying to ease their worries. “She can be a little difficult sometimes, but I think you two are brave enough to handle it Besides, I believe she’d really love to see you.”
Emma piped up, her tone cheerful yet cautious. “We can be nice, right, Ethan? Just like how we were nice at the
“Yeah, we can be nice,” Ethan agreed, his boldness building. “And maybe she’ll be nice back?”
park?”
My heart swelled with pride at their thoughtful responses. “Exactly! You both have such kind hearts. Just remember, it’s about being patient with her. She’s not as scary as she seems, I promise.”
“Okay, Dad. We’ll try, they chorused, and I felt a warmth spread through me, knowing they were willing to give her another
chance.
As we neared my mother’s house, I could feel the familiar tension of anticipation and anxiety rising in my chest. This was a pivotal moment, not just for them, but for her too. I pulled into the driveway, glancing at the beautiful old home that had witnessed so much of my life.
“Here we are,” I announced, taking a deep breath. “Remember, be yourselves.”
We stepped inside, and the familiar scent of my mother’s cooking enveloped us. She appeared almost instantly, her eyes lighting up when she saw us. “Alex! You brought the kids!” she exclaimed, her smile genuine yet laced with the sharpness I had come to expect.
“Hi, Grandma!” Emma called out, waving with enthusiasm.
“Hello, my little princess,” she replied, crouching to their level. For a moment, I held my breath, wondering how this world
unfold.
Ethan took a step forward, his small stature seeming to hold all the courage in the world, “Grandma,” he began, his voice steady. “I’m sorry for calling you mean that other day”
Madam Margret Alistair’s expression softened in an instant. She knelt down and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s okay. I’m sorry if I scared you. I didn’t mean to.”
The harshness that usually clouded her demeanor melted away, and for the first time, I saw her true affection. She reached out and hugged Emma too, who giggled in surprise. “You’re both so brave to come back,” she said, her voice genuine.
I stood back, feeling both relief and pride as I watched the interaction unfold. My children were truly remarkable, showing a maturity that made my heart swell. “I knew you could do it,” I whispered under my breath.
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Chapter 72
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They began chatting with her, their voices brightening the room. “Can we play games, Grandma?” Emma asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.
“Of course! Let me show you my favorite board games,” my mother replied, her tone transforming from stern to nurturing.
As they walked toward the game room, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Maybe this visit would be the start of something new for all of us. I watched them interact, laughing and talking, and for the first time in a long while, I felt hopeful about the future.
I knew my mother had her issues, especially regarding Christian, but seeing her with my kids made me believe that maybe, just maybe, she could learn to accept Christiana…for their sake.
And as I stood there, I realized that in this moment, we were building a bridge between generations, and that filled me with more joy than I could have imagined.