Alexander pov.
The air in the room grew tense in a matter of seconds, and I could feel everyone sucking in a breath, freezing in place as they all looked at me, their expressions one of horror.
My eyes narrowed into a deadly glare at Felix, but the kid didn’t even flinch. He returned my gaze with equal intensity, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a reflection of myself in him. The same face, the same hair, but more than anything, it was that same emotionless look in his eyes- a void that mirrored my own.
I blinked, frozen for a brief moment as I stared at him, trying to process what I was seeing. I had never truly spent time with Felix, even when Emily was alive. Work had always kept me away, and after Emily’s death, whatever fragile bond we had seemed to vanish completely, replaced by an emptiness.
I never got to know him-didn’t know his likes or dislikes, his allergies, or what activities made him smile. I had convinced myself that it wasn’t necessary to involve myself in his life as long as I could protect him. Back then, I thought it was a smart choice since emotions were a weakness, and showing them would mean vulnerability.
But as I stared at the cold look in his eyes, I couldn’t help but think, for the first time, that maybe I had made a mistake-maybe I wasn’t a good father to him after all.
“Oh my God,” Valentina’s voice broke the silence, and she immediately pulled Felix away from me, wrapping her arms protectively around his waist before shielding the glaring boy behind her as though she was protecting him from me.
“P-please don’t be angry at Felix. He was just playing around,” she said, her voice trembling, and I raised a brow, surprised by the fear in her eyes.
Meanwhile, the kid behind didn’t show any emotion on his face. His mouth formed a pout as he crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at me.
A cold smirk curved my lips as I observed the woman and child before me with faint interest.
“Y-yes, Alexander. Felix is just a kid; there’s no need to get angry at him,” Daniel quickly said, clearing his throat as he stood up from the bed.
“Yes, boss. Don’t kill- I mean, don’t get angry at the young master,” Sebastian stammered nervously.
“Uncle, please forgive Felix” Julian laughed nervously and I could see him hide my gun in the corner of my eyes.
I tilted my head, amused by their obvious fear.
They all knew what happened when someone dared to lay a hand on me. The last man who did? He no longer had hands. But this was my child-did they truly think I’d harm him?
Fools. I chuckled softly, running a hand through my hair before shifting my attention to Martha, who stood at the door, now clutching the tray in her hands.
“Bring that,” I ordered, gesturing toward the tray. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly nodded and brought it over. I could feel everyone’s confused stares boring into me as I calmly picked up the spoon, scooped up the porridge, and brought it to my mouth without a change in expression.
Everyone gasped in disbelief.
“Oh my God! H-he’s actually eating it…” Daniel stammered, eyes wide as I swallowed and scooped another spoonful of porridge.
“Uncle’s really eating it… he’s so crazy!”
I glanced up to see Felix’s bright, twinkling eyes, and right next to him, Valentina’s expression was one of shock. Yet, hidden beneath that surprise was a flicker of delight as she watched me eat.
Hell, what was I even doing? I wasn’t sure myself-but for some reason, I didn’t stop until I had eaten every last bite.
I dropped the spoon onto the tray, and Martha stepped forward, her hands trembling as she took it, glancing at me briefly with a hint of fear in her eyes as if she was expecting to drop dead at any moment from now.
“Done. Are you happy now?” I asked, fixing Felix with a cold, emotionless stare. He smiled brightly and mouthed, “Thank you, Daddy.”
I scoffed, my gaze shifting to Valentina, only to find her grinning at me, her eyes filled with affection-and something else, something deeper-that made my heart suddenly hammer in my chest.
Everything else around me blurred. The background faded as I became completely lost in her gaze, in her radiant smile.
The way she looked at me… that smile…
Thump, thump.
I tilted my head in confusion and clutched my chest as I tried to process what was happening. Why was my heart beating so fast?
“Oh my goodness, Alexander! I think he’s having a heart attack because of the food he ate. Quick, help me lay him on the bed!” Daniel yelled dramatically. But as soon as he touched me, I slapped his hands away, shooting him a harsh glare.
“Everyone, out, this instant,” I hissed, my lips curling into a frown.
No one moved for a brief moment, stunned by the sudden shift in my mood, but I didn’t care.
“Do not make me repeat myself twice,” I warned, my tone cold. Almost immediately, Martha was the first to bow and leave the room. The rest followed right after, especially Daniel, who practically ran out as if the devil was chasing him.
I noticed the disappointed look in Valentina’s gaze before she left, Felix’s hand firmly held in hers.
My frown deepened as I ran a hand through my hair in frustration, trying to shake off this fucked-up emotion. I didn’t understand what I was feeling, but it annoyed me nonetheless.
I grabbed my phone from the bed and dialed Adrian’s number. The call connected, and I spoke immediately.
“Were the bodies taken care of last night?” I asked, rising despite the pain from the bullet wound.
“Yes, boss. The bodies were handled discreetly, and the necessary procedures have been put in place to ensure yesterday’s shootout stays hidden,” Adrian confirmed.
I nodded and walked to the drawer, taking out the ring kept in a box, staring at it with a cold gaze.
“And the head?”
“It’s been sent to Nico this morning,” he answered.
“Good. Move forward with our plan. His first daughter’s wedding will be the perfect chance to strike back. Make sure there are no mistakes this time,” I commanded before ending the call and dropping the phone on the table.
My gaze darkened as I stared at the ring in my hand-the only clue left at the scene of Emily’s accident. Whoever owned this ring was the mysterious woman who called that day, the woman I had been searching for relentlessly.
The haunting call replayed in my mind:
“H-Hello… Is this Alexander? Emily-Emily is dead. Please come to Avenue Street. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t save her… I really tried, but he got to her first. He killed her.”