Chapter 275
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Alex, Jullian, and Esther had all talked about how much they hated that man. Everyone knew it. They didn’t even try to hide it.
But even with that hate, it was so clear that his death had touched them in ways they couldn’t explain.
Mia watched them quietly, trying to understand what they were really feeling. She could see the mix of anger, sadness, and confusion in their faces. They weren’t crying, but their silence carried something heavy.
She couldn’t tell what she was feeling herself.
Was she supposed to feel sad?
Was she supposed to cry?
Because right now, she wasn’t feeling anything at all.
She didn’t want to be heartless, didn’t want to look like someone who would celebrate a person’s death. But a part of her the part that had spent years living in fear of that man…. was relieved.
–
Deep down, she knew her son was safe now.
Safe from that man’s hate for her.
Safe from whatever pain his existence had caused her and Alex.
So, no. She didn’t feel bad about his death. Not one bit.
The only thing she felt bad about was how it was affecting the people she cared about…. especially Alex.
That evening, she was curled up on the bed beside him. The silence between them was comforting. She could hear the faint tick of the clock on the wall and the sound of rain starting outside.
Alex had his arm around her, holding her close. His body was warm against hers.
“He was a horrible father,” Alex said softly, staring at the ceiling. His voice was calm, but it carried that rough edge…..the kind that only came when someone was trying hard to stay composed. “And a horrible person.”
Mia didn’t argue. She knew that already. She didn’t need to be told what kind of man Charles Blackwell was. She had been one of his victims.
She had lived through his cruelty. She had seen the fear he could plant in a person’s heart.
So no, she didn’t disagree. But she said nothing. She only lay there, quiet, her fingers brushing against Alex’s arm gently.
Alex turned his head slightly and looked at her. A faint, tired smile tugged at his lips.
“You don’t have to come for the funeral if you don’t want to,” he said quietly, his hand reaching up to rub her
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cheek. His thumb brushed over her skin in a soft, loving motion.
Mia looked up at him. She knew she didn’t have to. She knew Alex would never force her to go back to that place, not after everything that happened there. But something inside her wanted her to go.
Not for Charles. Not for the man who had ruined so much.
But for herself.
She wanted to see Willowcrest again, to see the place that once held so much pain, shame and disgrace.
“I think I’ll like to see Willowcrest again,” she said softly.
Alex’s brows furrowed a little as he studied her face. “Are you sure?”
Mia nodded slowly, her gaze firm. “Yes. I want to go.”
He exhaled deeply, then he smiled.
“Alright,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
And then, as if something had lifted from his chest, he smiled a little wider and pulled her close again, his lips melting into hers.
The kiss was slow and deep.
Mia’s hands moved up his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her palm. Alex kissed her harder, his hand sliding up to cradle the back of her neck, pulling her deeper into him.
But before things could get any more heated, a tiny knock sounded on their door.
Both of them froze.
Another knock came, softer this time.
Alex groaned under his breath, letting his forehead fall on Mia’s shoulder.
“Oh no…” Mia whispered, already fighting a laugh.
“That better not be who I think it is,” Alex muttered, glaring at the door.
Mia was already laughing now, trying to cover her mouth. “It is,” she said between giggles.
“How are we ever going to give him a baby sister if he keeps popping in at the wrong time?” Alex grumbled dramatically.
“Oh my God, Alexander, shut up,” Mia said, smacking his chest lightly, still laughing as she sat up.
“Papa?” a tiny voice called from the other side of the door.
Both of them froze again – then looked at each other.
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Alex sighed, shaking his head, but the smile that crept onto his face betrayed how much he loved that voice.
“Argggg… that cute little bean,” he said, already getting off the bed.
He walked to the door, opened it, and there stood Aiden….. their sweet little boy, standing in his pajamas, holding his favorite stuffed toy close to his chest. His sleepy eyes blinked up at Alex, his hair sticking out in every direction.
“Hey, baby,” Alex said softly, his voice melting instantly.
“Papa,” Aiden mumbled, reaching out his small hands.
Alex picked him up without another word, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
Mia sat up on the bed, watching them. Her heart warmed at the sight…. Alex and Aiden, both of them her entire world.
“Mama?” Aiden said, turning his head toward her.
“I’m here, baby,” Mia replied with a gentle smile.
Alex walked toward the bed with Aiden in his arms. The boy’s eyes were already half closed, his head resting
on Alex’s shoulder.
They settled back onto the bed together, laying Aiden between them. Almost immediately, the little boy turned and snuggled against his father’s chest, his tiny fingers clutching Alex’s shirt.
Mia couldn’t help but smile at how fast he always claimed his father.
Alex looked down at his son, smiling faintly, his hand brushing through Aiden’s soft hair. Then he looked up at Mia, and she caught that playful glint in his eyes.
“We really need that girl child,” she grumbled, pretending to pout.
Alex chuckled, trying not to wake Aiden. “We do,” he whispered. “But how can we when this little man keeps showing up like a third wheel?”
Mia rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at him lightly, earning another quiet laugh from him.
It was moments like this, small, imperfect and beautiful moments like this that reminded her how far they
had come. How much they had healed.
Somehow, word got out to her family that Alex will be going to Willowcrest with his private jet. It didn’t take long before her phone started buzzing nonstop.
Her family wanted to come too.
Her mom called first. She said she needed to see that place one more time to face whatever memories still lingered there.
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They all had history there, deep, painful history and though Mia understood how they felt, she wasn’t sure at
first.
She had said no at first.
She didn’t want to turn the trip into something bigger than it had to be.
But later that evening, she sat down with Alex, talking it through.
When she asked if his private jet could take them all, Alex smiled and told her not to worry… it could handle it. easily.
That reassurance was all she needed.
The moment he said it was fine, Mia grabbed her phone and called them back.
“Start packing,” she told them.
They are all going to Willowcrest.
