103 The Last Contract

103 The Last Contract

Theodore's Pov

I was buried in paperwork, the soft hum of my office providing a soothing backdrop as I reviewed a critical document. The numbers were lining up, and for once, it seemed like the day might end without any surprises. Just as I was about to finish, my phone rang, jolting me from my concentration. I glanced at the screen. It was Daniel. Strange, I thought, answering the call. "Hey, Daniel. What's up?"

"Where are you!?" Daniel’s voice was urgent, almost frantic.

"I'm at the office. Why?" I responded, my confusion growing.

"And Alina? Where is she? And Asher?"

"They're supposed to be at home. Why? What's wrong?"

"Nathan has gotten bail! Last according to my sources, he's going towards your penthouse!" Daniel's words sent a chill down my spine. I didn't waste a second. Slamming the phone down, I bolted from my office, my heart pounding in my chest. The drive to the penthouse was a blur. All I could think about was getting to Alina and Asher before Nathan did. As I neared the penthouse, I saw them: Alina, standing protectively in front of Asher, and Nathan, a gun pointed directly at them. Time seemed to slow, and I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Without a second thought, I reached into the dashboard compartment, retrieving the gun I kept for emergencies.

My grip tightened around the cold metal as I stepped out of the car, my eyes locked on Nathan. In that moment, all my focus was on protecting my family. I aimed the gun, my hands steady, ready to do whatever it took to keep Alina and Asher safe. The air was thick with tension, every second feeling like an eternity. Without hesitation, I fired, the shot ringing out in the stillness. Nathan staggered back, clutching his shoulder where the bullet had struck, the gun dropping from his hand as he fell to the ground. I rushed to Alina and Asher, pulling them into a protective embrace.

"Are you both okay?" I asked, my voice thick with concern. Alina nodded, her eyes filled with relief and gratitude.

"Yes, we're okay." Asher clung to me, his small body trembling.

"Daddy, I was so scared," he whispered. "It's all over now," I reassured him, my heart aching at the fear in his voice.

"You're safe. Mommy and Daddy are here." I had called the police on the way and they led Nathan away. It was going to be easy to get out of this mess given Nathan's previous records and my connection, so all in all there was nothing to be worried about. Everything was fine. My woman and my son were with me.

Daniel arrived at the scene a few minutes later, telling me that he'll take care of the rest from there. I nodded to him thankfully before walking back with Alina and Asher in my arms, back to the penthouse. I didn't want to think even for a second what could have happened if Daniel hadn't called me. If I hadn't arrived on time. I pushed the thoughts away before tucking Asher to bed and putting him to sleep. I made my way to Alina who was sitting in the living room, zoned out on a wall. She didn't even notice when I sat beside her.

“Alina?” I called out before she jolted out of her thoughts.

“Hm? Yes?” She looked puzzled so I took her hands in mine comfortingly. I would pay billions right now to know what was going on in her head.

“What are you thinking?” I ask her gently. She kept staring back at me, her eyes taking in my face carefully before the air was kicked out of my lungs as she launched herself at me, enveloping my figure in a tight hug. I'm left confused before a small smile takes over army lips and I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. Her chest was heaving up and down as by the slight wetness on my shoulder, I realized she was crying.

“It's alright now. Everything is alright.” I squeeze her figure ever so slightly to reassure that nothing was happening to her or Asher. Not on my watch. She moved back after a few minutes before I ordered Martha to get some water for her. After Alina gulped down the whole glass in one go, she finally caught a hold of her emotions. “Better now?” I asked. She nodded to my question.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “You don't have to thank me Alina. It's my duty to protect you both. I know you have me a chance, and I know it's too soon to ask you this. But after what happened today, I too cannot be too sure what the future holds. And I just want us to be together.” My words made her quiet and the wheels in her head started trying again.

“I don't understand..”

“What I'm saying is Alina, can we be together? Like officially? I mean if it were in my hands, we would have already been married. But I know you aren't ready for that. So for now, will you be my girlfriend?” I asked hopefully.

“I want to. But..but I'm scared,” she didn't meet my eyes.

“Scared of what?” I just wanted to put her mind at ease on everything from my side. I wanted her to know that she will not have to worry about anything in the future.

“I just…I don't know. Maybe the past, or the history repeating itself.” I get it why she said that. Anyone in her position would be going through the same thing honestly. And sadly there is no one to blame for it but me. And I'm ready to take full accountability.

“Then let's sign another contract.” Her eyebrows furrowed at my suggestion. “Hear me out. This time if anything goes wrong, if I repeat anything from the past, which by the way I can assure I won't, but just to put you at ease, if anything like that happens again, then I will sign every single thing that I own to your name and walk out of your life like we never met. Ever. And by every single thing, I mean Every. Single Fucking, Thing. I'm ready to lose it all for you Alina.”