CHAPTER 65

Alexander stepped closer, arms opening for a comforting hug. In a quick motion, Margaret slipped the pregnancy test into the wardrobe behind her before collapsing into his embrace.

"Margaret, are you okay?" he asked. He could feel the tension in her body, the rapid beating of her heart against his chest. Something was wrong, but he chose to stay silent for the moment.

She buried her face in his shoulder, holding onto him tightly. "I'm just... tired," she murmured, trying to steady her breathing.

Alexander pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. "Is it the food?" he asked, trying to pinpoint her distress. "Did you not like it? We can order something else if you'd prefer."

Margaret shook her head, forcing a small smile. "No, it's not that. The food looked wonderful, Alexander. I just—"

Her voice faltered, and she took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. Alexander gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "You can tell me anything, you know that, right?" he said softly.

She nodded but couldn't bring herself to speak the truth. Instead, she leaned into Alexander's touch, drawing strength from his presence. "I know," she whispered. "Thank you for being here."

He kissed her forehead, his worry not entirely eased. "Come on, let's sit down," he suggested, guiding her out of the bathroom and toward the bed. "We can talk, or just sit quietly. Whatever you need."

As they settled onto the bed, Alexander wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close. Margaret rested her head on his chest, her mind still racing but feeling a small comfort in his embrace.

After a while, Alexander scooped her up and put her into his arms. She let out a small, surprised gasp but didn't protest, instead resting her head against his shoulder.

He carried her downstairs and gently set her down at the dining table. "Stay here," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'll make you something to eat."

Margaret nodded, her eyes following him as he walked into the kitchen. She watched as he peeled off his shirt and tossed it aside, revealing his muscular back and shoulders. The sight brought a small smile to her lips.

In the kitchen, Alexander moved with practiced ease. He filled a pot with water, set it to boil, and then rummaged through the pantry for ingredients. He found some linguine and decided to prepare a simple yet comforting dish.

He chopped garlic and parsley, and the rhythmic sound of the knife on the cutting board was soothing. As the water reached a rolling boil, he added a generous pinch of salt and dropped the pasta in. While it cooked, he heated olive oil and sautéed the garlic until it was fragrant and golden. He then added a splash of white wine, letting it reduce before tossing in the freshly chopped parsley.

As the linguine cooked to al dente perfection, he drained it and added it to the pan, tossing everything together with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. The aroma filled the kitchen, and Alexander couldn't help but hope it would entice Margaret to eat something.

He plated the pasta with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top, then carried the dish to the table where Margaret waited. Setting it down in front of her, he smiled. "Pasta alla aglio e olio," he said, his voice warm. "Simple, but I hope it makes you feel better."

Margaret looked up at him, her eyes softening. "Thank you, Alexander," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He sat across from her, watching as she took her first bite. Her expression eased slightly, the comforting flavors doing their work. Alexander reached across the table, taking her hand in his.

"Is it good?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Margaret nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "It's perfect," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "Thank you."

Alexander leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Anything for you," he murmured.

He stood up, glancing at the untouched food on the table. "If you didn't like it because it was delivered, maybe we can go to Philadelphia this weekend," he suggested as he began clearing the plates and moving to the kitchen sink. "I won’t mind trying out a new restaurant," Alexander added.

Margaret's eyes followed him, her thoughts momentarily shifting as she admired how his muscles moved under his skin, his back chiseled and defined.

When Alexander turned back, he caught her smiling at him. He paused, a grin spreading across his face. "What?" he asked, setting the dishes aside and walking back to her. "What’s that smile for?"

Margaret shook her head, the smile lingering. "Just... appreciating you," she said softly.

Alexander sat down, a playful glint in his eyes as he took Margaret's hand. "Come here and kiss me," he said, a smile tugging at his lips.

Margaret blushed, a bit shy, but leaned over to kiss him. Just as their lips met, Alexander wrapped his arms around her, lifting and kissing her.

They both burst into laughter, filling the room with joy and lightness.

"Well, alright, Margaret," he said, his eyes warm and gentle. "Now, tell me. What’s the surprise you wanted to show me?"

Margaret's smile faltered slightly. She looked down at their joined hands, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. But as she looked back up at him, a genuine smile spread. "I want to start a business," she said.

Alexander's eyes lit up. "Really? That's fantastic! What kind of business?"

Margaret's eyes sparkled as she explained her idea, her enthusiasm contagious. Alexander listened intently, nodding along and asking thoughtful questions. When the doorbell rang, he was about to share ideas to support her new venture.

"Hold that thought," he said, standing up. "I have a surprise for you too."

Margaret watched as he went to answer the door. An Italian gentleman stepped into the room. Alexander led him over, a proud smile on his face.

"Margaret, this is Antonio, your new bodyguard," Alexander said.

Margaret's eyes widened in recognition. "Antonio? From Siena-Ampugnano Airport?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise.

Antonio nodded, a warm smile on his face. "Yes, it's a pleasure to see you again, Signora. I'm here to protect you."

"Thank you for that day," she said.

Antonio inclined his head. "It was my pleasure."

Alexander placed a reassuring hand on Margaret's shoulder. "He'll be here to ensure your safety, especially with all the new changes coming into our lives."

Antonio nodded and gave a slight bow. "I'll start work tomorrow," he said, giving Margaret a reassuring smile before taking his leave.

After Antonio left, Margaret settled into the bathroom for a relaxing bath. Alexander, meanwhile, began undressing, shedding both clothes and jewelry. As he removed his necklace, a sudden thought struck him. He walked over to Margaret’s wardrobe, pulled out a frame with a photo of Victor, Lucas, and Margaret smiling brightly in their school uniforms, and compared the necklace in the picture to the one in his hand. His eyes widened in realization—they were identical. Margaret and Lucas were wearing the same necklace in the photo as the one he held now.

Quickly, he took a photo of the picture and another of his necklace. He then made a call. "I sent you a message," he said quietly, his voice firm. "Find out the correlation between these necklaces and find out everything you can about the necklace itself."