Chapter 103 Xander’s POV

Chapter 103 Xander’s POV
Chapter Hundred and three

Xander's POV

I stepped back again with my hands at my sides. “But I’m still going to protect Noah. Whether you speak to me, tolerate me, or hate me… that doesn’t change.”

After the argument with Bella, I sat quietly beside Noah’s bed.

My eyes never left him as he slept peacefully, wrapped in his little blanket.

Suddenly, he stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and before I could react, his tiny voice called out clearly:

“Daddy…”

My chest tightened, and my heart skipped a beat. I froze for a second, letting the word sink in.

“Daddy…” he called out again.

“H… h… hey, son,” I stuttered.

Noah gave me a weak smile. I felt a surge of emotion, a mix of relief, pride, and fierce protectiveness. This little human, my son, called me “Daddy” and it… awoke something in me.

I glanced over at Bella. She was watching us with her eyes wide open.

I could see the overwhelm on her face. She felt it. Heck even Noah felt it.

“Can you see, Bella? Even Noah knows blood, you can literally feel our connection.” I paused for a bit before continuing.

“I’ve got him, Bella,” I said in a low voice. “No one will ever come near him or you without me knowing. He’s mine, and I will protect him. Always.”

Bella stood there sobbing softly.

I look at Noah with my jaw clenched as he slowly dozed off. He was my son, and I wasn’t going to let anyone threaten him or his mother again.

—————

The next day in the office, I was flipping through some files when the door slammed open before I could even think.

Anna burst in the room with her eyes blazing. “Xander! We need to talk!”

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair. “Anna… what’s going on?”

She cut me off sharply. “This… this nonsense with Noah, it’s insane. How can you be so sure he’s really your son?”

My body stiffened. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” she snapped. “You think just because Bella said so, you’re automatically his father? There’s no proof. What if this whole story is a lie to trap you?”

I slammed my hand on the desk. “He is my son. I’ve done a DNA test. There’s no doubt.”

Anna shook her head and leaned closer. “Even so… do you really think Bella would tell you the truth? After everything? She’s been hiding that child from you this whole time. You have no idea what else she’s hiding.”

My jaw clenched. “I know enough. I know that he is my son. And no doubt, no lie will change that.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So what do you plan on doing, Xander? Don't tell me you plan on taking him as yours?”

I asked sarcastically. “He's my son, is he not?”

She shrugged. “Doesn't mean you have to accept him.”

I stood and stepped towards her. “You need to understand something, Anna. You should know your place. You don’t get to question whatever I decide with my son.”

Anna’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You’re reckless, Xander. This isn’t just about Noah. You’re playing with your life. What will people say?”

I leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “I. Don't. Care. They can go to hell for all I care.”

She stepped back speechless. Her face was red with anger. She turned her back and stormed out of the office with her heels clicking down the hallway.

I sat back down and smirked. She definitely got what she deserved.

I was still lost in that thought when the door opened softly again.

It was Bella.

She stepped inside slowly with her eyes swollen from watching Noah all through the night.

She stood a few feet from my desk. “Can we talk?” she asked quietly.

I straightened immediately. “Of course.”

Bella took a shaky breath. “I heard Anna yelling from down the hall. She stormed past me.”

I smirked slightly. “I handled it.”

“Xander,” she softly said, “we need to talk about… about how Noah is going to live now.”

I straightened, giving her my full attention.

She continued slowly. “He’s been sick and he’s in a fragile state. He’s just a child and I… I know you'd like to get custody of him, but I'd like him to stay with me until then.”

I crossed my arms and stared at her. “I see you've been doing a lot of thinking.”

She let out a shaky exhale. “Yeah, so tell me. What's it going to be?”

I moved around the desk and stood in front of her. “I think it's best too. He's used to you, your tiny apartment, to simple things.”

Our eyes locked.

She raised an eyebrow. “Are you looking down on me, Xander Knight?”

“What, no, never. I just… I … you get what I'm trying to say,” I shot back.

She gave me a small smile. “I'm just kidding.”

It felt nice to see it again for a change after all the tension between us.

Her words hung in the air.

I ran a hand through my hair. “Bella… he’s my son. I can’t pretend he’s not a Knight, I don't want him to get used to living like any random child.”

Her eyes glistened. “Random huh?”

“Tha… that's not what I meant.”

“Yeah sure. Just insult my best efforts to raise our son and make him as comfortable as I could afford.”

I swallowed hard. That hit deeper than I wanted to admit.

“I… I'm sorry, that's not what I… that's not what I meant, Bella.”

Bella took a small breath. “It's okay. I get it, you don't have to explain.”

She continued carefully. “He can spend time with you. He can get to know you. But his life should stay normal. He's just a kid.”

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, then opened them again.

“Bella… I can agree to that. For now.”

Her breath caught in surprise.

“But understand something,” I added. It's temporary.”

She just nodded, slowly.

“Then… we try,” she whispered. “Together. For Noah.”

For the first time since all this started, it felt like we were on the same side.

I nodded once.

“Together.”