Chapter 255
“No way you did this in a week of just finding out about him, Mom,” Jullian said, his voice full of disbelief as he looked around the massive children’s playroom.
His eyes swept across the bright walls, the shelves lined with every kind of toy a child could dream of, the soft mats, the little cars, the stuffed animals, and the art supplies already neatly arranged. It was ridiculous how fast their mother had worked to make this room happen.
Esther Blackwell only smiled, standing there with her eyes fixed on the small boy at the center of it all. Her gaze was soft, proud, almost watery as she watched her grandson walk around slowly, his tiny hands reaching out to touch everything like he was stepping into a dream.
Aiden looked completely lost in wonder. The boy’s face lit up with each new thing he discovered. A toy car, a stuffed bear. A shelf full of books. Aiden walked like he couldn’t decide where to go first, his head turning quickly as if he wanted to see everything all at once.
Jullian shook his head in disbelief, chuckling under his breath. He looked back toward the corridor where his brother and Mia had disappeared minutes ago.
Alex had asked Mia to talk, and she had agreed only because he had done it in front of everyone. Mia clearly didn’t want to go.
She looked uncomfortable the entire time, like the last thing she wanted was to be alone with his brother.
Jullian chuckled again. He couldn’t help it. Alex had become a totally different man around Mia. He wasn’t the cold, distant CEO right now.
Around Mia, Alex was almost unrecognizable. And when it came to his son, Jullian had to admit, his brother was shockingly good with him.
Watching Alex carry Aiden, laugh with him, and actually be patient, it didn’t look forced. It looked real.
“You think they’ll settle?” His mom’s quiet voice broke into his thoughts.
Jullian turned, raising a brow at her. “I don’t know. Mia looked like she wants nothing to do with him.”
His mom sighed, “It’s been a long time since I saw him like this. So love sick, so… free.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “He’s showing emotions, Jullian. Do you see it?”
Jullian shook his head, chuckling again. “I know you want him to be happy, Mom. But maybe it won’t be with Mia. She doesn’t look like she still loves him.”
“Nonsense,” His mom said quickly, dismissing his words with a small wave of her hand. “She’s still in love with him. I’m a woman. I know.”
Jullian groaned, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Okay? Can we stop talking about them? It feels like gossiping.”
“Good gossiping,” Esther said with a small smile, still watching Aiden with warmth in her eyes.
Jullian shook his head, but he didn’t argue.
Chapter 255
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Alex leaned against the wall of his room, watching Mia. His heart was pounding in his chest.
“Mia,” he called softly.
She stood in the middle of the room, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her back stiff like she was holding herself together with every ounce of strength she had. She didn’t look at him.
“I told you we don’t have to talk about anything.”
“Okay, and I heard you,” Alex said, his voice careful, almost pleading. “But can you tell me why you’re so mad at me?”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I said I’m not.”
“You know you are, baby—”
“Don’t call me that,” Mia cut in sharply, her eyes finally snapping up to his.
Alex pressed his lips together. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself down. “Why can’t I call you that?”
Mia’s eyes stayed on him now, full of fire. “For starters, I’m not your girlfriend or your wife or… anything.”
Alex’s chest ached at her words. He pushed off the wall and stepped closer. “We were together before my father did what he did. I had no idea he was behind it, Mia. He separated us, and now we found each other again. Why can’t we be together?”
Her lips trembled, but her voice came out firm. “Because we can’t.”
“Mia-”
“Did you even look for me?” she suddenly asked, her voice shaking but her eyes sharp as knives as they drilled into him.
Alex froze.
“I did,” he said.
“You did and you didn’t find me?” Her tone was almost mocking, almost challenging……
Alex bit the inside of his cheek. He knew exactly what she was saying. She was right. If Alex Blackwell had truly wanted to find her, he would have. He had the power, the money and the connection.
“I didn’t mean anything to you, Alex,” Mia continued, her voice low, pained. “And we both know that. If I did, you would have found me.”
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Chapter 255
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Alex’s throat tightened. He shook his head, stepping closer again. “I thought you left willingly, Mia. I saw a letter your mom wrote to the landlord. Some neighbors told me you all had left Willowcrest, that you’d been planning it. I believed them. I believed everything. And I felt… betrayed. Hurt. I thought you wanted to break my heart the way I broke yours in the beginning.”
Mia stared at him, her arms tightening around herself.
“You thought I just woke up one day and left? Just like that? Because I wanted to hurt you?” Her voice rose, trembling.
“Mia-”
“You don’t even fucking know me,” she snapped, her words heavy, her eyes burning into him.
Alex’s chest tightened even more. He didn’t even feel offended. All he felt was love. She was right.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I should have done better, I should have found you sooner, I should have protected you. I should have kept you safe. I’m sorry. Please-”
“Just stop,” Mia said, cutting him off.
He took a step closer. “Mia.” His voice was softer now, almost breaking.
“I don’t love you anymore.”
The air went out of his lungs. Alex froze, staring at her. His heart slammed against his ribs.
Mia avoided his eyes, looking anywhere but at him. But Alex couldn’t stop staring at her.
He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, loud and heavy.
“You asked me to give you a reason why we shouldn’t be together,” she continued, her voice steadier now, even though she couldn’t meet his gaze. “So that’s the reason.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. He shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving her. He didn’t believe her. He couldn’t.
“Prove it,” he said finally.
Her head snapped toward him. “Prove what?”
“Prove that you don’t love me anymore.”
Mia let out a short nervous chuckle, It sounded shaky, not amused. “How am I supposed to do that?”
Alex’s eyes darkened, his voice dropped even lower.
