CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN
CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN
Richard plopped down on the couch in the dimly lit room. A stick of blunt in between his fingers, the smoke curling around him and a glass of piqued liquid nestled in the other hand. His eyes were as wild as sin.
Richard plopped down on the couch in the dimly lit room. A blunt balanced between his fingers, smoke curling around him, and a glass of dark liquid nestled in his other hand. His eyes were as wild as sin.
“You're going to get yourself drunk and knocked out tonight, Richard,” a voice teased from across the room.
“Shut up, Red, there are too many issues at hand. Getting drunk is the least of my worries,” Richard snapped.
“You know he won't easily dig up everything, right?” Red said softly.
Richard laughed, the sound lacking humour.
“You have not the slightest idea. Damon will keep digging until he gets his hands on what I'm hiding.”
Red grinned. “He takes after you, then. You never back down until you get what you want.”
“And I don’t want him to. It’s going to ruin everything—and even reveal my long-buried secret with Thomas,” Richard said.
Red leaned in closer. “What do you want to do about it?”
“Things could get really shitty if the world hears about what really transpired between you and Thomas Sterling.”
Richard exhaled sharply. “I won’t let anyone find out. Not even my son, Damon.”
“That secret follows me to the grave,” he added, his jaw tight.
Red smirked, his lips curling subtly. “Let’s hope you don’t flop then, Richard.”
༺༺♡♡༻༻
“Good morning, Mama,” James greeted, pressing a kiss to Alexandra’s cheek.
“Good morning, Granny. Maggie.”
“How are you, James? Did you sleep well?” Margaret asked as she placed a dish of salad on the table, her eyes roaming over his features.
“I’m fine. And yes, I slept well,” he answered, his eyes filled with excitement.
Alexandra smiled softly and ruffled his hair before pulling out the seat beside hers for him.
James studied Alexandra’s outfit.
“Mama, are you going to work?”
Alexandra’s eyes darted to his face. “Yes. Why?”
“You didn’t wake me up to get ready for school,” James pouted, already sliding off his seat to hurry upstairs.
Alexandra exchanged a quick glance with Margaret before her gaze settled on a now-pouting James standing with his hands on his hips.
She rose from her chair and crouched in front of him, taking his small hands in hers.
“Baby, you won’t be going to school for a while,” she said gently.
“You’ll be taking your classes here at home from now on. Grandpa Thomas already made arrangements.”
James frowned, his small lips pressed into a thin line. “But I only just started school. Why do I have to stop so suddenly?”
“Because your mommy needs to sort out some things related to school,” Margaret chimed in, watching the mother and son with a mix of pity and admiration. “So for now, you’ll have to be homeschooled.”
Here is a polished and corrected version of your scene. I kept all your intentions but improved flow, grammar, punctuation, and emotional clarity. I did not change your meaning—only made it smoother and more professional.
“And I specifically made sure to pick the best homeschool teacher for you, James,” Alexandra murmured softly.
“You’re going to enjoy all your lessons with him.”
James frowned. “A him?”
Alexandra smiled. “Yes, a him—and he’s someone you’ll love, I promise.”
James went quiet for a moment. Alexandra and Margaret exchanged a look, silently praying he wouldn’t make a fuss. They couldn’t risk letting him go back to school yet. Not after everything. They needed to keep an eye on him.
“Okay, Mama. I want to meet my homeschool teacher,” James said calmly.
Alexandra sighed and pulled him in for a hug.
“You will, baby. He’ll be coming over soon.”
“I love you, Mama.”
“I love you, too.”
༺༺♡♡༻༻
The doorbell rang twice, and Alicia turned off the cooker before walking toward the door.
She twisted the doorknob—and came face-to-face with Chris.
Her brows pulled together as she took him in. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, his lips were dry, and he looked exhausted. His shoulders sagged, his entire frame weighed down.
“Hi, Ali,” he said, his gaze raking over her slowly, taking in everything about her.
She was wearing red bum shorts and a gray silk singlet—and he instantly noticed she had nothing on underneath. The fabric clung to her, and her nipples were visible through the thin material.
Heat rushed to Alicia’s cheeks when she realized exactly where his eyes had landed. She stepped aside quickly, clearing the doorway, and Chris walked in without a word.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” Alicia said as she followed him inside.
Chris sighed and turned to face her. “You weren’t picking my calls or replying my texts or emails, Ali.”
Alicia brushed past him. “Still not a good enough reason to show up unannounced.”
Chris exhaled heavily. “Are you mad at me?”
“Is that supposed to be a question?”
“I’m sorry if it sounds that way, but you’re acting like you don’t want me here,” Chris murmured.
“Maybe I don’t,” Alicia said tightly. “So why are you here?”
Chris stepped closer, and Alicia backed away until her spine met the wall.
“To see you,” he said, voice low. “I’ve missed you. And you ignoring my calls was driving me crazy.”
Alicia swallowed, her breath catching. “It sure felt that way when you kept acting busy with me.”
Chris groaned softly. “I’m sorry.” His fingers traced slow circles along her cheek.
“I’ve had a lot going on. When things get heavy, I push people away. It’s a bad habit—but I’d never intentionally push you away, Alicia. Never.”
“Why?” she whispered, eyes locked with his.
“How about I show you why?”
He leaned in and crashed his lips against hers in a desperate, breathless kiss.
Alicia moaned, fisting the front of his shirt as she pressed closer. Chris slid his arms around her waist, lifting her slightly, his knee nudging between her legs as she melted into him.
“You taste so divine, Ali,” Chris groaned against her lips.
“So good I could kiss you all day and still crave you.”