Page 25

She didn’t know this, but I saw her peeking out the window, eavesdropping on my conversation with Helen. I could sense her presence that day in the garden, could feel her gaze lingering long enough to almost expose her thoughts.

I knew at that moment that it was only a matter of time before she came looking for me, seeking an audience.

Her displeasure and jealousy that day wafted through the air like an intoxicating scent.

Alessia felt threatened by Helen, not just because she had a pretty face, but also because she was the one to raise my child.

A mother would do anything to protect her own. I knew this, and that was why I would never underestimate Alessia. Never. She was not comfortable with the plan to separate her from the child she’d been carrying in her womb for months. No real mother would be.

However, making her believe she would have no place in the boy’s life was the best way to hurt her.

It was the best idea I could think of at the time, and so far, it was working out well.

The maids told me that Alessia barely ate and that she spent most of her time within the confines of her room.

This was a tough phase in her life, and a lot was happening at the same time.

The poor girl was a strong one—that was a fact.

Emotionally and psychologically, her father had trained her too well.

Of course, I’d never admit this to her or anyone, but it was the truth.

She was a resilient one, and that was how I knew that there was no way in hell that she was going to let me have my way with the baby.

She’d try some sort of way to appeal to my conscience.

Fighting back would be a terrible idea; she was smart enough to know that.

But would she give up so easily? No. She wouldn’t. It wasn’t in her nature, and that was one of the many things that I admired about her. I wasn’t entirely sure how much of my conversation with Helen she heard, but I was certain that something snapped inside her that day.

I’d been waiting for a confrontation, another discussion on the issue at hand. And even though she still hadn’t said anything yet, I knew it wouldn’t take long until she came looking for me. She was probably still organizing her words, summoning the courage she needed to face me.

Alessia was no fool. She knew that there was no way she could win against me, especially when trapped in my house. Therefore, as angry as she was, she wouldn’t let her fury jeopardize her plan to be in the boy’s life.

She’d be smart in her speech whenever she was brave enough to confront me. And deep down, I couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say. Toiling with her was something that brought me some sense of satisfaction. I loved watching her squirm, loved to see the fear flickering deep inside her eyes.

I’d stepped out of the bathroom with a white towel around my waist, my body still damp from the hot shower. Faint steam rose from my skin, swirling around my form as I stood by the doorway, listening to the quiet movement outside the hallway.

I recognized those soft, delicate, slow footsteps.

It was her. My lips curled into a mischievous grin, eyes fixed on the entrance.

I heard her stop behind the door, and for the next few seconds, it was silent outside.

There was no movement, no sound, nothing.

She was obviously contemplating her next move, gathering the courage she needed.

Knock, knock.

I hesitated, pretending I had no idea who had knocked on my door. “Who’s there?”

“It’s…it’s me…Alessia,” came her stuttered response, her voice weak and faint.

I was quiet, making her feel that her presence wasn’t welcome. “It’s open.”

Slowly, she pushed the door, and as it creaked open, it revealed her standing at the entrance, the hallway lights casting a warm glow over her features. Her expression was soft, although beneath the calm exterior, I could see the fury and pain she tried to mask.

Alessia strolled into the room, her movements slow and strained, her swollen belly magnificent before her.

Pregnancy looked great on her, considering how she glowed under the chandelier’s soft light.

Her honey-blonde hair cascaded down her back in effortless waves, a few loose strands framing her face.

Her skin, smooth and porcelain, glistened in the warm light, her brown eyes sparkling.

Since her return, I hadn’t taken the time to really look at her and appreciate what a beautiful woman she was. Even with a protruding stomach, she still radiated like a goddess, graceful and elegant in every way.

As she stood across from me, her eyes locked on mine, the air was charged with tension—on her part, anyway. She blinked a couple of times, fingers fidgeting at her sides, twisting into the hem of her sleeves. Her eyes flickered elsewhere for a second, her head dipping to avoid my face.

“What do you want?” I questioned, my voice cold as ice.

She met my eyes again, and her breath hitched, her expression soft with a glint of plea in her gaze.

“I want to raise my son,” she declared, looking right into my eyes.

“Please, let me raise him.” Alessia closed the distance between us, hands resting on her belly.

“I know you think your fiancée will raise him well. But she won’t because he’s not hers.

No woman on the face of the Earth will raise him better than his mother. ”

I watched her in silence, noticing how her eyes discreetly roamed my broad torso. My body, stripped from the waist upward, seemed to be a distraction to her—a welcome one.

“What will happen to our son when your fiancée finally has her own child? How do you think she’ll treat him in comparison to her own flesh and blood?” she asked, striking a rather valid point.

“ My son…” I began, my voice possessive as I drew closer. “Will be safe with me…in my house.”

“You won’t always be around Nik,” she said, blinking back the tears in her eyes. “Honestly, I don’t doubt your ability to raise our son. Your fiancée is my problem.”

I cocked my head to the side, loving the sound of that on her lips. “She is, isn’t she?” A crooked grin tugged at the corners of my mouth.

Her brows furrowed, a faint and fleeting scowl flashing across her face. “That’s not what I mean.”

“Yeah. Right.” I brushed a thumb over my nose and headed toward the closet.

She ignored the sarcasm in my tone and quietly followed after. “I don’t care about her, Nik. I just don’t want her raising my child. She will do a terrible job at that; trust me.” She halted behind me, her gaze lingering.

I heaved a sigh, my eyes fixed on the collection of suits arranged on hangers in my closet. “And you think you’ll raise him better? You think you’ll be a better mother than Helen?”

“Yes,” she replied keenly. “Yes, I will be a better mother, and I will raise him right. Gimme a chance, and you’ll see.”

I paused for a moment, her argument processing in my head.

She made such a compelling point that I could not ignore, and now, I was convinced she was never going to back down from this fight.

As a mother, her love superseded everything I’d ever throw at her, and her relentlessness would never stop until she got what she wanted.

At this point, Alessia left me with two choices: I could either grant her wish and have peace in my own house.

Or I could pay a deaf ear and endure her constant complaints until the day the baby was born.

Even then, the only guarantee that she’d shut the fuck up and accept her fate was if I put a bullet in her head.

And I couldn’t do that, no matter how angry at her I was. It just wasn’t possible.

I turned around, meeting her gaze, watching how she swallowed hard, her throat tightening.

“Mere words don’t move men like you,” she stated, eyes locked on mine, a mask of seriousness etched on her face. “It’s all about deals and bargains with you, isn’t it? Quid pro quo…something for something….”

Again, I didn’t respond. I just stood there, watching, admiring her guts.

“So, name your price, Nik. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of this boy’s life…to raise him myself,” she declared without breaking eye contact. Her voice was tinged with determination, and a hint of solemnity flickered in her gaze.

“Careful, now,” I warned softly, drawing closer to her. “This isn’t a game you wanna play.”

“You underestimate the lengths I’m willing to go for my son, Nik,” she replied, fear creeping underneath the courageous exterior she put up. “I don’t care what your terms are; I’ll do anything, absolutely anything, to get what I want.”

Slowly, I encircled her, smelling the mix of her anxiety, determination, and desperation. Her body stiffened as if bracing herself for my response while I walked back to stand in front of her.

“Anything, you say?” I questioned, raising a brow, amused.

Chin up, with her eyes boring into mine, she replied. “Yes.” Her fingers clenched into fists at her side.

My lips twisted into a wicked grin as I watched the slight shift in her bravery.

A fleeting vulnerability danced across her features, an indication that she wasn’t as steady as she pretended to be.

Alessia was afraid, and I could smell it on her like a perfume.

But she’d come too far to turn back now.

Her determination was rather remarkable, and in all honesty, I was impressed by her.

“I’d like you to say it again…what you said before,” I demanded, my tone smooth and easy as I tilted my head to the side, drinking in the sight of her body.

“I’ll do anything. Just say it, and I’ll obey,” she rephrased.

“Good,” came my response. “Now, strip.”

Her eyes squinted, a puzzled look settling on her face. “What?”

“You said you’d do anything. Is that right?” I asked, my gaze never leaving her eyes. The confusion in their depths was hilarious, and I almost burst out laughing.