Chapter 102: 102. Right On Time
Alina’s Pov
The sun was shining brilliantly, casting a golden hue over the park as I spread out the picnic blanket. Asher was already dashing off to join the other kids, his laughter filling the air. It was one of those perfect days that made you forget all your troubles, even if just for a moment. I unpacked the picnic basket, laying out sandwiches, fruits, and snacks. I watched Asher play, a smile tugging at my lips. Life had changed so much in the span of a few days. From grappling with the loss of my estranged father to deciding to take over the publishing house, it felt like I was finally stepping into my own. Theodore had been my rock through it all. His support, his unwavering belief in me, had given me the strength to face everything. And now, here I was, planning to start a new chapter, determined to make the most of the opportunities before me.
"Mommy, look!" Asher called out, holding up a flower he'd picked.
"It's beautiful, sweetie," I called back, waving at him. As the afternoon wore on, we enjoyed our picnic, savoring the simple pleasures of the day. Eventually, it was time to head back to the penthouse. I started to pack up, glancing around to make sure we hadn't left anything behind.
"Ready to go, Asher?" I asked, holding out my hand. He nodded, his little hand slipping into mine. We began the short walk back home, the sun starting its descent in the sky, casting long shadows on the ground. As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. I turned around several times, but each time, there was no one there. It must be my imagination, I thought, trying to shake off the unease.
"Mommy, is everything okay?" Asher asked, his eyes wide with concern.
"Yes, baby," I said, forcing a smile. "Everything's fine." But as we turned the corner onto a quieter street, I saw him. Nathan Summers, standing there with a cruel smile on his face. My heart stopped, and instinctively, I clutched Asher's hand tighter, pulling him slightly behind me.
"Miss me, darling?" Nathan's voice was a sinister purr.
"What... what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be in the—"
"Jail?" He finished for me, still smirking. "Yes, yes, I was supposed to be. But I got lucky. I was the best prisoner they've ever had. So yeah, my sentence was lessened." His eyes fell on Asher, who was peeking out from behind me, looking scared.
"And who might that be?" Nathan smirked.
"Mommy, I'm scared," Asher whispered, his voice trembling. My heart stopped realizing that Asher called me mommy in front of Nathan, making him his target.
"No need to be scared, baby. Mommy is right here," I reassured him, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Mommy?" Nathan's eyes widened with a wicked glee. "Oh, this is interesting now. You never told me, Alina, we had a child."
"Stop this nonsense right now! No way in hell he can be yours!" I shouted, my voice breaking. No way in hell he was going to pull that shit again.
"If that's the case, then he doesn't deserve to be here!" Nathan snarled, pulling out a gun and pointing it at Asher. My eyes widened as the shock of the gun registered over. Without a second thought, I clutched Asher’s hand tighter and I threw myself in front of my son, shielding him with my body. Asher clung to me, shivering, tears slipping from his eyes.
"Don't you dare, Nathan!" I screamed.
"He's Theodore's, isn't he? Did you get back with him?" Nathan looked feral. For a moment I couldn’t recognize if he was even the same person I knew from four years back. “Why should he deserve his happy ending when he left me to rot in jail! Your husband took everything from me! My parents, my business, my life, my family! So it's only fair if I return the favor and take his as well." I watched in horror as Nathan's finger tightened on the trigger. Time seemed to slow, and I closed my eyes, praying for a miracle. Then, a gunshot echoed through the air. For a moment, I was too terrified to open my eyes, fearing the worst. But then I felt Asher still trembling in my arms, unharmed. I opened my eyes to see Nathan staggering, a look of shock on his face. Behind him, Theodore stood, a gun in his hand, his face a mask of fury and determination. Nathan collapsed to the ground, his weapon falling from his grasp. Theodore rushed over, pulling me and Asher into a protective embrace.
"Are you both okay?" he asked, his voice tight with concern. I nodded, still in shock.
"Yes, we're okay. Thank God! You came on time otherwise I..I don’t." tears started to stream down my face as Theodore enveloped me in his embrace. “Daddy!” Asher spoke desperately before Theodore moved away and lifted him off the ground, hugging him tight. He looked at me, his eyes softening.
"I will always protect you and my child, Alina. Always." As the police arrived to take Nathan away, I held Asher close, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. The warm rays of the setting sun filtered through the trees, casting long, golden shadows across the pavement. Asher's laughter had quieted, replaced by a tense silence. My thoughts raced as we walked, every step echoing the gravity of the encounter we had just survived. I watched Theodore as he dealt with the police, his demeanor calm and controlled. He answered their questions with a measured tone, his hand never leaving the small of my back. When the officers finally left, he turned to me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of distress.
"Let's get you both home," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. We walked the short distance to the penthouse, my mind replaying the scene over and over. Nathan's cruel smile, his menacing words, and the terror that had gripped me as I shielded Asher. I don’t even want to think what could have happened if Theodore hadn’t showed up in time.