Chapter 149
Christiana’s POV.
I sat cross–legged on the plush carpet of the hotel suite, scattered crayons, coloring books, and blocks forming a chaotic yet beautiful mess around me. Ethan was beside me, deeply focused on coloring in a lion, while Emma was stacking blocks with the kind of concentration that could rival an architect.
“Mommy, look!” Ethan’s voice broke through the quiet hum of our activity. He held up his coloring book, pride lighting up his face. His lion had a bright green mane, a purple body, and orange paws.
I chuckled, reaching out to ruffle his soft curls. “That’s the most creative lion I’ve ever seen. A magical jungle king.”
“Can we see a real jungle sometime later?” Ethan asked, his eyes wide with wonder.
“Maybe,” I replied with a smile. “But I don’t think we’ll find green–maned lions there.”
Emma giggled, glancing up from her growing tower. “Ethan’s lion looks so funny!”
“It’s not funny!” Ethan protested, his little brows knitting into a mock scowl.
“Hey,” I interjected, lifting my hands. “No teasing, Emma. Your brother’s lion is unique. That’s what makes it special.”
Emma pouted briefly before breaking into a laugh. “Okay, okay. But my tower’s gonna be taller than Ethan’s lion!”
Igrinned. “Let’s see if it can outgrow Mount Everest.”
As their chatter and giggles filled the room, I leaned back for a moment, just watching them. Their joy was contagious, their innocence untouched by the worries that had consumed me lately. Guilt tugged at me; work had taken too much of my time.
“Kids,” I said softly, drawing their attention. “I know I’ve been busy. Too busy. But today, I’m all yours. No work, no phone calls. Just us.”
“Really, Mommy?” Ethan’s face lit up
like a Christmas tree.
“Really,” I said, squeezing his tiny hand.
Emma clapped her hands. “Yay! Does this mean ice cream later?
“Maybe after dinner,” I teased, my heart swelling at their excitement.
For hours, we played, danced, and laughed until their energy waned. As the sun went down, we curled up on the couch under a blanket fort. Ethan rested against me, his eyelids drooping, while Emma lay with her head on my lap, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny.
“Mommy?” Ethan mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
“Yes, sweetheart?” I whispered, stroking his hair.
“Can we do this again tomorrow?”
My throat tightened. I kissed his forehead. “Of course, Ethan. Always.”
As their soft breathing filled the room, my thoughts grew heavy. Earlier today, I had seen Bianca in the hotel lobby. Her sharp, accessing gaze sent shivers down my spine. I didn’t trust her intentions, not one bit.
I looked at my sleeping children, their innocent faces glowing in the dim light. A protective fire ignited in me. Whatever
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Chapter 149
Bianca was planning, I wouldn’t let her hurt us.
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A soft knock sounded at the door, snapping me out of my thoughts. I gently laid the kids on the couch and walked over to
answer.
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Alex stood there, looking as good as ever, his sharp suit and chiseled features making my heart skip a beat. His stormy eyes softened when they met mine.
“Christiana,” he said, stepping inside and pulling me into his arms without a word.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” I whispered against his chest, feeling the warmth of his embrace.
“I had to,” he murmured, his voice low. “You and the kids mean everything to me. And after today…” He trailed off when he noticed how I was stiffening.
I pulled back slightly, searching his face. “After today? What happened?”
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Bianca’s here, isn’t she?”
My heart sank. He knew just from one look on my face.
“Yes. I saw her earlier,” I finally responded.
His grip on my waist tightened protectively. “Then we need to talk. About keeping you and the kids safe.”
Looking into his determined eyes, I nodded.
As we sat together on the couch, Alex’s arm firmly wrapped around my shoulders, I hesitated before speaking. The memory of earlier that day still remained, raw and unsettling. The kids were sound asleep in the bedroom now, their soft breaths audible in the quiet of the suite, but my own unease hadn’t faded.
“Bianca was at the boutique today,” I finally said, my voice low.
Alex’s head snapped toward me, his expression darkening. “What?”
“I didn’t expect to see her,” I continued, gripping his hand as I spoke. “I was at Elite picking up a dress for the gala, and as I was leaving, she came in.”
His grip on my hand tightened, his jaw clenching. “What happened?”
“She didn’t just come in,” I said, my voice growing steadier as I recounted the moment. “She pushed past me, Alex. Shoulder to shoulder. Hard. Like I wasn’t even there.”
Alex sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing. “She pushed you?” His voice was low, dangerously calm…the kind of calm that only came before a storm.
I nodded. “Yes. And when I turned around, she was just…smiling. That smug, arrogant smile. She didn’t even say anything, but the message was clear.”
His expression hardened, and I could see the fire in his eyes. “She thinks she can intimidate you?” He exhaled sharply, his hand running through his hair in frustration. “She’s out of her mind if she thinks I’ll let her get away with that. This would be different, unlike how my mom and her godforsaken lawyer helped her out of jail.
“Alex, it’s fine,” I said quickly, placing my hand on his chest. I didn’t like seeing him so worked up. “I didn’t fall or anything. It’s just…seeing her again after all this time. It caught me off guard.”
He cupped my face, his touch gentle despite the tension radiating off him. “No, it’s not fine,” he said firmly. “She crossed a line today, Christiana. You’re my woman, and no one….and I mean no one…gets to treat you that way.”
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I could feel the weight of his protectiveness, the way his body seemed to vibrate with anger at what had happened.
“I don’t want to make this bigger than it is,” I murmured, though my words sounded hollow even to me.
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“This isn’t just about today,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine. Bianca’s here for a reason. She doesn’t do anything without a plan, and if she’s already starting with this…then we’re going to make sure she knows her games won’t work.”
I sighed, leaning into his chest. “It’s just exhausting, Alex. I want to focus on us, on the kids. Not her.”
“And that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” he promised, wrapping his arms around me. “But first, I’m making it clear to Bianca….and anyone else…that if they come for you, they’ll have to go through me.”
I closed my eyes, letting his words and his embrace soothe me. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake the
feeling that Bianca’s return meant trouble.
