Chapter 238: Who's Your Daddy Now?

Chapter 238: Who's Your Daddy Now?

Nora’s POV

Aiden glanced at me, clearly calculating his next move. I could practically see the wheels turning in his little head as he weighed his options.

What do I do? I thought frantically. Should I intervene? Let him figure it out on his own?

"What are you talking about?" Aiden finally said, doubling down on his innocent act. "I don't understand what you mean."

He turned to me with pleading eyes. "Right, Mom?"

Alexander cut me off before I could respond. In one fluid motion, he scooped Aiden up, holding him at eye level with surprising gentleness. "Look at me, son. What should you be calling me?"

Aiden tried to peek at me for guidance, but Alexander gently redirected his chin. "No, don't look at your mother. Look at me and answer the question."

"Aiden," I said softly, "take your time. Think before you answer."

My son studied Alexander's face with intense concentration, his little brow furrowed. After what felt like forever, his expression suddenly cleared with understanding.

"Mr. Claf... Dad!" he declared triumphantly, like he'd just solved a puzzle.

I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Alexander's stern expression softened for just a moment before he pressed on.

"And what about yesterday at the restaurant? What did you call me then?"

Aiden immediately tried deflecting. "Yesterday? Restaurant?" His face lit up with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Oh! That caramel pudding was SO amazing—"

Alexander gave Aiden's bottom a light swat. Not hard enough to hurt, but definitely enough to get his attention.

"MOM! He hit me!" Aiden shouted indignantly, his innocent act completely forgotten.

"Mom can't control me anymore!" Aiden challenged, glaring defiantly at Alexander.

I bit my lip to suppress a laugh. The hotel manager, who'd been awkwardly hovering in the doorway this entire time, looked absolutely mortified.

"Mom! Help me! Hit him back!" Aiden demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at Alexander.

"I'll hit him later, sweetie. Really, really hard," I promised, struggling to keep a straight face.

"Why not right now?" Aiden pouted.

The hotel manager cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I'll... leave you to your family discussion," he mumbled before practically fleeing the room.

Once the door clicked shut, I half-heartedly tapped Alexander's chest a few times while Aiden cheered me on enthusiastically.

"Yeah! Get him, Mom! Harder!"

Alexander played along perfectly, wincing dramatically at my pathetic punches. I rolled my eyes at his theatrical performance.

"I'll deal with you later," he whispered in my ear, his voice dropping to that dangerously low tone that made my stomach flip. "When Aiden's not around, you'll see what you really deserve."

"Are you... threatening me with domestic violence?" I whispered back, my cheeks burning despite myself.

His lips curved into that infuriatingly sexy smirk. "Wait until tonight. Wait until we get home."

Holy hell. The promise in his voice made my knees go weak.

Alexander turned back to Aiden, his expression gentling. "I'm not angry about what happened before, Aiden. We can start fresh from here."

"Perfect!" I said, taking Aiden's hand. "Let's go home then. Mission accomplished."

Aiden looked genuinely confused. "Go home... where exactly?"

"To Claflin Estate," I explained. "Everything worked out perfectly."

His little face scrunched up in thought before his eyes suddenly went wide. "Wait, where's Charles?"

"He went back to Highcrest City," I explained gently.

"What? Charles left WITHOUT ME?" Aiden looked genuinely shocked and hurt. "How could he just abandon me like that?"

Aiden's suspicious gaze landed squarely on Alexander. "Did you make him leave?"

"Actually," Alexander replied smoothly, "I wanted to thank him. For bringing you and your mother back to me."

"Are you still mad at me?" Aiden asked Alexander directly, his expression suddenly serious.

Alexander knelt down to Aiden's eye level. "Why would I be mad at you?"

"Well," Aiden replied thoughtfully, "if I really hated you, I wouldn't have helped Charles with our plan to trick you."

I watched Alexander process this brutally honest statement, fascination written across his features. This was the most genuine conversation they'd had yet.

"So who would you choose, Aiden?" Alexander asked carefully. "If you absolutely had to pick between me and Charles?"

Aiden tilted his head, considering the question. "Why do I have to choose at all?"

His answer clearly surprised Alexander. "What do you mean?"

"Why can't I have both?" Aiden explained, as if it were the most obvious solution in the world. "I can have a dad AND Charles! In Kingsley City, Mom can be with you, and in Highcrest City, she can be with Charles—"

I slapped my hand over his mouth. "Kids say the craziest things!" I laughed nervously. "He has no idea what he's talking about."

Alexander's eyebrow shot up dangerously, but thankfully he let it slide.

---

That evening at Claflin Estate, I found myself living a scene I'd never dared imagine. Alexander stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, phone pressed to his ear handling some business crisis, while Aiden and I sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, working on an intricate puzzle together.

I caught Alexander watching us, and the look of pure contentment on his face took my breath away. For all his ruthless power in the business world, there was something undeniably tender about the way he looked at Aiden—at our son.

The peaceful moment shattered with the sound of the doorbell.

"Grandma and Great-Grandpa are here!" Aiden exclaimed, scrambling to his feet and racing toward the entrance.

James crouched down to Aiden's level, his typically austere face transforming with genuine warmth. "Look how much you've grown, young man!"

"You're getting really old, Great-Grandpa! Your hair is completely white now!" Aiden declared with devastating honesty.

James threw back his head and laughed. "He's quite the charmer, isn't he? Nothing like his father was at that age."

Camilla approached me with a knowing smile. "So, you two finally worked things out? All those dramatic arguments suddenly forgotten?"

I shrugged, feeling heat creep up my neck. "I went after him. I realized we'd been drowning in misunderstandings."

Her eyes softened with approval. "You both deserve happiness. Finally."

"Maybe I should have intervened sooner," she continued, a hint of regret coloring her voice. "Helped clear the air between you two."

Camilla's expression suddenly brightened. "We should throw a massive family dinner! Everyone needs to witness this reconciliation."

"And you absolutely must have a proper wedding," she added with growing enthusiasm. "A grand ceremony!"

My stomach dropped like a stone. "I don't think a wedding is really necessary—"

"I think it's a brilliant idea," Alexander interrupted, moving to stand possessively beside me. "All of Kingsley City should witness our happiness."

Camilla nodded vigorously. "The first ceremony doesn't count. Alexander was bedridden, supposedly in a vegetative state. That wasn't a real wedding."

"Mother's absolutely right," Alexander agreed, his hand finding the small of my back with proprietary ease. "That wasn't a real wedding at all."

Before I could voice another protest, Alexander turned to Aiden with calculated charm. "Wouldn't you love to be our ring bearer, Aiden? You'd wear a tiny tuxedo and be the star of the show."

"That sounds INCREDIBLE!" Aiden exclaimed, bouncing on his toes. "Can I really do that?"

James fixed me with an amused, knowing look. "If you're still resistant to the wedding idea, perhaps when you and Alexander have another child, we can throw an extravagant baby celebration instead."

Camilla's eyes practically sparkled at this suggestion, and Alexander looked entirely too pleased with himself.

"Mom, when are you going to give me a little brother or sister?" Aiden asked with innocent curiosity.

Perfect. Now I'm completely outnumbered.

"Either a grand wedding or a baby shower for your second child," Camilla said with a triumphant smile. "Your choice, dear."

"I'll... think about it," I mumbled, feeling thoroughly cornered. "We'll see what happens."

Alexander leaned close, his breath warm against my ear. "Are you questioning my capabilities, Nora?"

Before I could respond with an appropriately cutting remark, a sudden wave of nausea crashed over me. I pressed my hand to my mouth, fighting the overwhelming urge to be sick.

Camilla caught my eye, and I watched understanding dawn across her face. Her expression filled with hopeful expectation as her gaze dropped meaningfully to my stomach.

Oh, shit.