Chapter 254
Mia walks back inside, holding back the tears. She pressed her lips together.
55 vouchers
But the moment she saw her brother sitting casually on the couch, giving her that soft pity look she let out a laugh. It was dry and shaky
Ethan frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “Mia-”
“It’s just so funny, you know?” she cut him off, wiping at the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand. “I spent years hiding him from his father… only for this to be happening right now.”
Her voice cracked at the end, but she forced another chuckle. It sounded wrong even to her own ears.
Ethan didn’t laugh. He just stared at her, and that stare of his said more than
any words.
“I’m gonna go in and pack his things,” Mia added quickly, turning her head away from her brother’s sharp gaze. “He wants to go with his father.”
“Mia…” Ethan began, his tone careful now, like he was afraid of saying the wrong thing. “Do you need to sit down for a bit?”
She shook her head, still clutching her arms around herself. “I’m fine, Ethan. Really. I’m fine.” She didn’t give him the chance to argue. She turned, walking toward her bedroom before he could press her further.
Inside her room, she stopped and stood there in the middle of it..
She rubbed her hands together, trying to shake the feeling off. With a deep breath, she forced herself to move, grabbing Aiden’s small bag from the corner. She started folding his clothes, slipping in a change of shorts, a T–shirt, his little pajamas. She packed his toothbrush, his favorite socks, and the school uniform for
tomorrow.
When she walked back into the living room, she bent down to pick up his favorite toys…the ones he had been showing off proudly to his father earlier.
Ethan’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Aren’t you going with them?”
Mia froze, then looked at him. “To do what?” she asked, even though she knew what he was implying.
Ethan raised a brow. “To keep an eye on him, at least. To be sure of the environment you’re sending him into before just leaving him with a man he barely knows. Honestly, I’m surprised you’re willing to let him go so easily.”
Mia’s lips parted. She stared at her brother, unable to respond at first.
“I thought you’d be happy, Ethan,” she finally said, her voice sharper than she meant it to be. “You’re always the one telling me to let him know his father, always lecturing me about how it’s not fair to keep them apart. Now that I’m letting him go, you have a problem with it?”
“I’m just saying.” Ethan shrugged, leaning back in his chair, but his eyes stayed on her. “Sending him to an unknown place with a father he just met…” He let the sentence trail off deliberately.
17:28 Wed, Sep 24 N
Chapter 254
“He’s with Alex,” Mia said firmly, though her voice wavered at the end.
56
355 vouchers
“I’m just saying,” Ethan repeated, but this time, there was the hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Mia squinted at him, suspicion rising in her chest. “I know what you’re doing, Ethan,” she said, her voice low and accusing.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ethan replied innocently, his smirk deepening into a grin.
She glares harder at him….. but after a long sigh, she sets down the bag she had been holding. Without saying another word, she turned back to her room and grabbed a small bag for herself. She tossed in a top, a pair of shorts, and something to wear tomorrow. She didn’t think it through she just packed..
“I can’t believe this is happening,” she muttered under her breath, stuffing her things quickly before she changed her mind.
When she walked back into the living room, Ethan was smiling at her.
“Shut up, Ethan,” she said, narrowing her eyes as she picked up the bags again and made her way toward the door.
Ethan burst out laughing, his voice echoing through the house. “I didn’t even say anything!”
“You didn’t have to,” Mia shot back, pulling the door open.
“Have fun!” Ethan called after her, his tone teasing.
Mia rolled her eyes, but her heart was racing as she stepped outside.
There…..by the car, Alex was still standing beside his car, Aiden still wraps around him
Aiden was holding onto his father, his little face pressed against Alex’s shoulder. Alex looked completely at ease, his large hands secure around the small boy.
She hated that it looked so natural, that Alex seemed born for this moment. She hated that she had kept it from him. And most of all, she hated the guilt that rushed inside her.
Her feet dragged a little as she approached them. Alex looked up and their eyes met.
She quickly tore her gaze away, embarrassed by what she’s about to say next.
“I’m coming with you,” she said quickly, her voice flat, defensive. “I need to be sure he’ll be fine.”
Alex’s brows pulled together slightly, but he didn’t argue. “I already called my mom and Jullian,” he said softly. “They’re heading home right now. They’re excited to spend time with him.”
Mia didn’t answer. She didn’t trust her voice…. Instead, she slid inside the car.
She kept her eyes on the window, refusing to look at Alex even though she could feel his gaze burning against
her skin.
17:29 Wed, Sep 24 N
Chapter 254
56
55 vouchers
The ride was filled with Aiden’s little voice and Alex’s deep chuckles. Their son talked about his toys, his school, the things he liked to cat. Alex listened to everything, asked questions, laughed at Aiden’s jokes. The sound of it all melted Mia’s heart, but she kept her face turned toward the glass.
When they finally drove through the gates of a massive estate, Mia wasn’t surprised. Of course Alex lived here. Of course his world looked nothing like hers. The security was tight.
“Wow…” Aiden whispered, his big eyes darting everywhere.
Mia stayed silent, pretending to be unaffected, though her chest felt heavy.
The car stopped in front of a mansion so large it made her stare even though she didn’t want to.
She stepped out, her eyes sweeping over the grand water structure in front. Aiden pointed immediately, excitement spilling from his voice.
“Mama, look!” he shouted, bouncing in Alex’s arms.
Mia forced a smile, nodding at him. “Be careful, baby,” she called when he started wriggling to get down and
run.
Alex laughed softly, catching Aiden before he could take off. He tossed the boy into the air slightly, earning a giggle that echoed across the driveway.
“Papa!” Aiden laughed, clinging to Alex again.
Mia’s chest ached. She looks away from the endearing sight.
Maids appeared at the entrance, bowing slightly as the family walked up.
Then Esther Blackwell and Jullian appeared, their smiles wide and eager. Still in their work clothes, they looked like they had dropped everything the second Alex called.
“Mom,” Alex said, his voice filled with warmth Mia wasn’t used to hearing. “My son, Aiden. Aiden, that’s your grandma.”
Aiden blinked at the older woman, then turned to look at his father for confirmation. “Grandma?” he asked in his small, uncertain voice.
Alex nodded gently.
“Me, please,” Jullian cut in quickly, stepping forward with a grin. He looked like he could barely contain his excitement. “Introduce me too.”
Alex chuckled. “Aiden, that’s Papa’s brother. Your uncle, Jullian.”
Aiden tilted his head, his big eyes moving from Alex to Jullian. Then he whispered, “Uncle Huhian?”
Everyone laughed.
“Baby, it’s Jullian,” Mia corrected softly, unable to resist her son’s cuteness.
17:29 Wed, Sep 24 N
Chapter 254
Aiden giggled, then threw his arms back around Alex’s neck, hugging him tightly.
Mia’s chest tightened again. She looked away, blinking fast.
“Mia,” Esther said suddenly, her voice pulling Mia’s attention.
“Hi, Mia,” Jullian added warmly.
Mia nodded, managing a polite smile. “Hi.”
When her eyes drifted back to Alex, she found him already looking at her.
“Thank you,” he mouthed silently.
Mia looked away quickly.
