Chapter 105: Seeking Mother's Aid
Alexander’s POV
I stared out the window, jaw clenched so tight I could feel a headache pulsing at my temples.
"I was just kidding about Liam," Nora continued, "With my personality, how could I possibly accept someone I like also being into another woman?"
My silence was calculated. Let her marinate in it. Let her feel the weight of those lies she'd tossed around like confetti.
"Alexander, please say something," she pleaded, those big brown eyes searching my face. "I'm sorry, okay? Daisy is just my friend, and Liam... he only helped me when I was in a tough spot."
I shifted my gaze back to the window, making it crystal clear her apologies were bouncing off me.
"Alexander..." Her hand touched my arm, warm and hesitant.
Without a word, I lifted her from my lap where she'd been perched since her so-called confession and deposited her firmly on the seat beside me.
She tried again, this time with a playful tone that scraped against my last nerve. "Why are you being so difficult? Getting angry causes wrinkles, Mr. Claflin." Her attempt at cuteness might have worked yesterday, but not tonight. Not after what she'd said.
When the car finally rolled through the gates of Claflin Estate, I was out before Edward could fully open my door.
"Sir, shall I—"
"Not now, Edward," I cut him off, striding toward the front door. I heard Nora scrambling behind me, thanking Edward in that genuine way that had somehow charmed my entire household staff in record time.
Inside, I made a beeline for the bar cart in the living room, pouring myself a generous whiskey. I knocked it back in one burning swallow, then poured another. As I sensed her approaching, I abandoned the glass and headed for the stairs.
I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head as she followed me.
At the top of the stairs, I turned toward the master suite, acutely aware of her dogging my footsteps. When I reached the door, I turned to face her, finding her closer than expected.
"Mrs. Claflin," I said, my voice arctic, "your room is that way."
Her chin lifted in that defiant way I'd come to know all too well. "I need to talk to you."
"We've done enough talking for one night."
She reached for my wrist, her touch light but insistent. "Please, Alexander. Let's discuss our divorce. I'll leave with nothing—your lawyers can draft whatever agreement you want."
The word 'divorce' hit like a sucker punch, but I kept my face impassive. "Is that what this is about? You manufactured that entire ridiculous story about Traynor to disgust me into agreeing to a divorce?"
Her eyes dropped momentarily. "I thought if you were disgusted enough with me, you'd want to end things."
I let out a humorless laugh. "Nora Frost, you think it's that simple? You say something is true, then it's true. You say it's a lie, then it's a lie?"
"No, I—"
"The problem is," I continued, cutting her off, "I can't tell what's real with you anymore. Was your little confession about Traynor true, or is this the lie? Or is it all just bullshit, manipulated to get what you want?"
Her shoulders slumped. "What I said before was the lie. I don't... I don't have feelings for Liam."
"And I'm supposed to believe that now because...?"
"Because it's the truth!" She looked genuinely frustrated, which gave me a flicker of perverse satisfaction.
"Here's what I know," I said, voice dropping dangerously low. "I can't determine your true thoughts or feelings. So what I can do—what I will do—is maintain the status quo."
"What does that even mean?"
"It means no divorce, Nora." I reached for the door handle behind me. "Not now. Not when I can't trust a single word coming out of your mouth."
The look of desperation that crossed her face should have given me satisfaction. Instead, it just left a hollow feeling in my chest.
"Alexander, please—"
I stepped into the bedroom and closed the door firmly in her face, cutting off whatever new plea she was about to launch. Leaning against the solid wood, I exhaled slowly, trying to ease the tension coiling through my body.
Then I heard it—her voice, so soft I almost missed it.
"The only man I've ever truly liked... is you."
My breath caught. I pressed my ear closer to the door.
"Sam was just a teenage mistake," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're the only one who's really entered my life, my heart."
I closed my eyes, her words washing over me like a balm I hadn't known I needed.
"After you... I don't think I'll ever love anyone else. After the divorce, I'll probably grow old alone."
Her voice faded to nothing, and I heard her soft footsteps retreating down the hall toward the guest room. I remained frozen, hand clenched into a fist against the door.
Fuck.
I pushed off the door and stalked to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the estate grounds. "I don't want to let go," I muttered to the empty room. "I can't let go."
But there was something more urgent I needed to address. Something that had been eating at me since that night at the hospital. The child. Our child. The one she claimed to have lost.
What if she hadn't?
The thought had been gnawing at me for days, like a hungry wolf. I needed to know. I had to find out if she was still carrying our child.
Walking to the bedside table, I picked up my phone and dialed the one person I trusted completely in this mess.
"Alexander?" Mom answered on the third ring, her voice instantly concerned. "Is everything alright? It's late."
"I need your advice," I said, dropping onto the edge of the bed. "About Nora. About our situation."
"I'm listening."
I hesitated, then dove in. "If Nora didn't actually miscarry—if our child is still alive inside her—would you still support our divorce?"
The silence that followed was heavy enough to sink in.
"Alexander..." Mom's voice was cautious. "Are you saying you think she might still be pregnant?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "But something doesn't add up. The timing, her behavior... I need to find out."
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" The skepticism in her tone was clear as day.
"I have a plan," I said, rubbing my temples. "A simple test. It might not prove anything definitively, but it's a start."
Mom was quiet for a long moment. "Do you think she'd lie about something like that?"
"A week ago, I would have said no. Now..." I trailed off, the evening's events still raw. "I need to be sure."
"Alexander," her voice softened, "even if the child is still there, forcing a woman who wants to leave you to stay—"
"This isn't about forcing her," I cut in. "This is about the truth. About our child. If there is still a baby, she deserves to know I want it. That I'll fight for it."
Another pause. "Alright, Alexander. I trust your judgment. What do you need from me?"
I outlined my plan quickly, relief washing through me at her tentative agreement.
"Thank you," I said finally. "I know this puts you in an awkward position."
"You're my son," she replied simply. "I'll always have your back. Just... be careful. With her heart and yours."
After hanging up, I remained seated on the bed, staring at the night sky through the windows. I didn't dare hope too much—hope was dangerous, especially in this situation. But the possibility that our child might still exist...
I couldn't sleep that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Nora's face, heard her whispered confession through the door.
"The only man I've ever truly liked... is you."