Chapter 264
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Alex did stay. He stayed longer than Mia thought he would. He held Aiden until the boy’s tiny body relaxed, until the restless wiggles stopped, until his small hand slid down from gripping his father’s shirt and went limp. Alex sat there, staring at nothing, with Aiden breathing softly in his arms.
He didn’t look at Mia. He barely glanced her way. She didn’t like it at all. That cold distance from him….like she wasn’t even there.
When Aiden finally drifted into deep sleep, his head tucked into the crook of his father’s arm, Mia moved closer. Carefully, she took him from Alex’s arms, her hands gentle, her heart tight.
She carried Aiden inside to lie him down, brushing his hair back from his forehead before tucking the blanket around him. She stood there for a moment, watching her boy’s peaceful face, trying to calm her own storming thoughts.
But when she came back out, Alex was gone.
Her heart jumped, panicked, she hurried outside, her eyes darting left and right until she spotted him as he approached his car. He was already opening the driver’s door.
“Alex!” she almost called, but stopped herself.
Without thinking, she rushed forward, her steps quick. She reached his car just as he was about to get in, yanked open the passenger door, and slid inside.
Alex froze mid–motion. He sat down, his hand on his steering wheel, staring at the girl who had just stormed into his car.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice confused, his brows pulling together.
Mia sat there, breathing hard, her fingers twisted together on her lap. “Are you angry?” she asked softly.
His eyes narrowed. “About what?”
“About what I said.” Mia’s teeth worried her bottom lip, nervous, almost childlike.
“I’m not,” Alex said after a moment, his voice steady. “You said the truth. So I don’t see why I should be angry.”
Mia turned toward him fully, her eyes searching his face. “Then why didn’t you tell me when you were leaving?”
Alex’s jaw tensed. He looked at her, silent for a second, then simply said, “Didn’t think it was necessary.”
That answer didn’t sit well with her. Mia narrowed her eyes at him, leaning slightly closer. “I hate that serious cold look on your face,” she muttered.
Alex chuckled, just a small sound, but he stopped himself quickly, as if even that was too much.
“You fell in love with that cold look, Mia,” he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
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Chapter 264
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Mia’s mouth dropped open. “No, I didn’t,” she denied instantly, shaking her head.
“Sure,” Alex murmured, his tone teasing but soft.
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“I’m sorry,” Mia said suddenly, leaning back, letting her head fall against the headrest, her eyes staring up at the ceiling of the car. Her voice was small.
“There’s nothing to apologize for, Mia,” Alex replied, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel.
“I made you feel bad,” she said, guilt tugging at her chest.
Alex let out a deep sigh…
He turned his head, staring out the window, then slowly looked back at her.
“I just want you so much…” His voice trailed off, shaky for once. He paused, glancing at her before looking away again. Then a quiet chuckle slipped out of him, almost embarrassed. “You make me a totally different person. I hate being around people if it’s not necessary…. But with you? I want to be glued to you”
He paused, his voice lower now “I understand that…. sometimes it’s hard to control my emotions around you. My emotions stay buried all this time… and the moment they see you, it just explodes.”
Mia’s heart squeezed painfully at his words. She stares at him… she was seeing a version of Alex that people don’t get to see.
“So yeah,” Alex continued, his eyes locked on her, “no need to apologize, Mia. I was indeed moving too fast.”
“Alex…” Mia whispered, his name slipping from her lips without her meaning to.
He didn’t let her finish. “I’m gonna take a step back,” Alex said, his tone decisive now. “And focus on reconnecting with our son.” He started the car, the low hum filling the heavy silence between them.
Mia turned her face toward him, words running in her head, but nothing came out. She didn’t know what to
say.
“I’m gonna be traveling tomorrow for a conference,” Alex said, his hands steady on the wheel. “I’ll be having an hour–long meeting with my executives early in the morning before I leave. I can’t take him to school tomorrow. Tell him I’ll make it up to him when I come back.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “You’re going to tell him that. He’s going to cry his heart out,” she said, already imagining the way Aiden would ask for his papa with tears in his eyes.
“Call me whenever,” Alex said simply.
“Okay,” she answered softly.
“Oh-“Alex added, his tone casual, “on Friday is the anniversary party for Pocho. Mom is gonna come take you to go get something for you and Aiden to wear.”
Mia nodded.
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Chapter 264
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The car fell silent. They both sat there, staring at each other, their breathing filling the small space.
Finally Alex leaned in slowly. Mia didn’t move. She sat still, her eyes locked on him, her chest rising faster.
He tilted his head, leaning closer until his lips brushed near the corner of her mouth. But Mia moved at the last second, turning just enough for her lips to capture his instead.
Alex didn’t hesitate. He responded immediately, his mouth pressing into hers, his hand lifting to hold the back of her head gently, pulling her close
Mia melted into the kiss, her hand curling against his chest. For minutes, the world outside vanished. There was nothing but them, the sound of their breathing, the desperate way their lips moved against each other. When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads fell together as they take in each other’s breath.
“You’re gonna be the death of me,” Alex whispered, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he cupped her face.
Mia laughed softly, though her face burned. “You still have to take me to the altar, Alexander. You can’t die yet.”
Before he could reply, she pushed open the car door and rushed out, her face hot, her heart thundering. She ignored the sound of Alex chuckling behind her, ignored the way he called her name. She didn’t dare look back.
Later that evening, Aiden cried for his father. Mia tried everything, songs, soft words and even lying beside him… but nothing worked. Finally, she had no choice but to call Alex on the phone. The moment Aiden heard his father’s voice, the sobs slowed, his sniffles calming as he clutched the phone tight.
That night, after Aiden finally drifted off, Mia sat by his bed, watching him. Her hand brushed his hair gently, her heart heavy. “When did you get so attached to your father?” she whispered to herself.
Eventually, she lay down too, facing the ceiling, her thoughts were spinning. They were all over the place, memories, fears, Alex’s words, his kiss, her son’s smile. It all tangled together weighing on her until she fell asleep.
But that peaceful sleep didn’t last…
She woke up the next morning soaked in sweat, her cheeks wet with tears…
Terrified out of her mind.
