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Chapter 421
Madison
I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it. She was right.
Part of me did hope Alexander was genuine. That this wasn’t just some billionaire whim that would fade the moment things got difficult or inconvenient.
“I should get ready,” I said instead.
“What are you wearing?”
I glanced down at my pants and t–shirt. “Something more presentable than this.”
“Good plan.” Hazel grinned. “Can’t show up to an amusement park looking like you just rolled out of bed.”
“I did just roll out of bed.”
“Exactly why you need to change.”
Ethan burst back into the kitchen, Mr. Whiskers clutched in one hand. “I’m ready!”
“You can’t go like that,” I said, fighting back a smile. “We have to shower first.”
His face scrunched up. “But I already took a bath before the party!”
“That was yesterday. We need to get cleaned up before our big day.” I held out my hand. “Come on, baby. Quick shower, then we’ll get dressed.”
“Alright.” He grabbed Mr. Whiskers tighter and trudged back toward the guest bedroom with the enthusiasm of someone heading to their execution.
Hazel laughed from behind her coffee mug. “He’s cute.”
“He’s dramatic.” I drained my coffee, grateful for the caffeine. “Give me thirty minutes, and we’ll be ready.”
“Take your time. You’ve got almost two hours.”
I followed Ethan down the hallway, my mind already spinning ahead to what came next. Alexander. Amusement park. Hours of forced proximity while pretending everything was normal.
This was such a bad idea.
One hour later, Ethan was showered and dressed in his dinosaur shirt and light–up sneakers, bouncing around the guest bedroom with renewed energy. I’d managed a quick shower myself, thrown on jeans and a simple blue top, and attempted to tame my hair into something presentable.
“Mom, are we leaving soon?” Ethan called from the living room.
“Almost!” I grabbed my purse, checking for the essentials.
Hazel appeared in the doorway. “You look nervous.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’ve checked your purse three times in the last minute. You’re definitely not fine.”
I set down the purse. “I’m taking my son to an amusement park with his father, who he doesn’t know is his father I’m entitled
to be nervous.”
“Fair point.” Hazel squeezed my shoulder. “Just breathe. It’ll be okay.”
H
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“You don’t know that.”
“No, but I’m saying it anyway because that’s what friends do.”
The intercom buzzed.
My heart jumped into my throat. “That’s him.”
“You want me to get it?”
“No, I’ve got it.” I moved to the intercom and pressed the button. “Hello?”
“Madison. It’s Alexander.”
His voice crackled through the speaker, formal and controlled. Like we were about to discuss quarterly reports instead of spending the day together.
“Come on up.” I buzzed him in, then turned to Hazel. “How do I look?”
“Like someone who’s about to have an interesting day.” She grinned. “Relax. You look great.”
Ethan appeared, Mr. Whiskers tucked under his arm. “Is King Alexander here?”
“He’s coming up now.” I smoothed his hair, which immediately sprang back up. “Remember what we talked about. Best behavior.”
“I know, Mom!” He bounced on his toes. “Can I tell him about my dinosaur collection?”
“Sure, baby. Just maybe don’t talk his ear off for the entire drive.”
A knock sounded at the door.
I took a deep breath and opened it.
Alexander stood in the hallway, looking unfairly good in dark jeans and a fitted gray shirt. Casual but still somehow expensive. His hair was slightly damp, like he’d recently showered too.
“Morning.” His eyes found mine, held for a beat too long.
“Morning.” I stepped back. “Come in.”
He entered the apartment, his presence somehow filling the entire space. His gaze swept the room, landing on Ethan, who stood frozen in the middle of the living room, eyes wide,
“King Alexander!” Ethan’s voice came out somewhere between a whisper and a shout. “You’re really here!”
Alexander’s expression softened. “I’m really here. Ready for the amusement park?”
“YES!” Ethan launched himself forward, stopping just short of Alexander’s legs. “Can we ride All. the tides? Even the scary
ones?”
“We’ll ride as many as your mom says is okay.”
Smart answer. I grabbed my purse. “We should probably get going.”
Alexander’s attention returned to me. “Let me help you down with him.”
“I can manage.”
“I know you can.” He crouched down to Ethan’s level. “What do you say, prince? Want to ride the elevator with me?”
Ethan nodded enthusiastically, already reaching for Alexander’s hand.
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I watched my son’s small fingers disappear into Alexander’s larger ones, something twisting in my chest.
Hazel appeared from the kitchen. “Have fun! Don’t let Ethan eat too much cotton candy!”
“No promises!” Ethan called back, already tugging Alexander toward the door.
I grabbed my purse and followed them out, hyperaware of how natural they looked together. How Ethan chattered away while Alexander listened with what looked like genuine interest.
The elevator ride down was mercifully short. Ethan monopolized the conversation, explaining in detail about every dinosaur in his collection. Alexander nodded along, asking questions that made Ethan’s explanations grow even longer.
We reached the lobby. The doorman nodded as we passed, his expression carefully neutral.
Alexander’s Bentley waited at the curb, all sleek black lines and tinted windows.
“Whoa,” Ethan breathed. “Is that your car?”
“It is.” Alexander opened the back door. “Want to sit in the back with your mom or up front with me?”
Ethan looked torn, his gaze bouncing between the front seat and me.
“Back seat, baby,” I said quickly. “It’s safer.”
He deflated slightly but climbed in without argument. I settled beside him, buckling his seatbelt while Alexander closed the door and moved around to the driver’s side.
The engine purred to life. Ethan pressed his face against the window, watching buildings slide past as we pulled into traffic.
“Mom,” Ethan whispered, loud enough that Alexander definitely heard. “Mom, you didn’t tell me King Alexander was coming to the amusement park too!”
I glanced at Alexander in the rearview mirror. Our eyes met briefly before I looked away.
“Surprise,” I managed.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
