Chapter 36 Ultimatum
Thursday Morning
Felicia stepped off the elevator at nine, envelope clutched in her hand.
She'd debated timing all night. Early enough that Richard Thorne might be in meetings. Late enough that Victoria would be at her desk.
Perfect.
She walked toward the executive suite, heels clicking with purpose, and found Jenna at her station.
"I need to see Richard Thorne. It's urgent."
"Mr. Thorne isn't in today. He's at the Boston office. Can I help you with something?"
Felicia's mind raced. Richard wasn't here. She could wait, come back tomorrow, deliver it properly.
Or—
Her eyes flicked to Victoria's closed office door.
Victoria would see the photo. Would understand immediately what it meant. She could handle Elena herself—probably more ruthlessly than Richard would.
Decision made.
"Actually, I need to speak with Victoria. Is she available?"
"She's on a call, but—"
"I'll wait."
Five minutes later, Victoria's door opened. She appeared, phone still pressed to her ear, and spotted Felicia immediately.
A flicker of something—surprise? annoyance?—crossed her face before the professional mask returned.
She ended her call. "Felicia. What can I do for you?"
"I have something for your father. It's... sensitive. Since he's not available, perhaps you should see it."
Victoria's eyes narrowed slightly. "Come in."
Inside her office, Felicia closed the door and handed over the envelope.
Victoria opened it without ceremony.
The photo slid out onto her desk.
For a moment, Victoria's expression didn't change. She just stared at the image—Alexander, Elena, and a small child, all smiling at the camera like a family.
Then something cold settled over her features.
"Where did you get this?"
"A photographer's display in the plaza. Last Saturday." Felicia kept her voice neutral. "I thought the family should know what Alexander is involving himself with."
Victoria picked up the photo, studying it closely. The date stamp. The child's face. Elena's expression.
"This is Elena's son."
"Yes."
"And Alexander knew about him."
"Apparently."
Victoria set down the photo carefully. "I see. Well, I appreciate you bringing this to my attention rather than taking it directly to the press or the board."
Felicia hadn't thought of that angle, but nodded as if she had. "I want what's best for the Thorne family. And for Sterling's partnership with you."
"Of course you do." Victoria's tone was unreadable. "I'll handle this internally."
"Will you tell your father?"
"That's not your concern." Victoria stood, signaling the meeting was over. "But rest assured—this situation will be addressed."
Felicia left feeling satisfied. Victoria's cold fury had been palpable. Elena was finished.
Victoria sat alone in her office, staring at the photo.
Alexander. Her brilliant, impulsive, idealistic brother. With Elena and her son.
Looking happy. Looking like he belonged there.
She'd suspected something was happening. Had noticed Alexander's improved mood, Elena's subtle smiles, the way they carefully didn't look at each other in meetings.
But this?
A child. Alexander playing father to Elena's child.
Their father would lose his mind. The board would have opinions. Felicia and Sterling would use this as leverage.
And Alexander—Alexander would lose everything he'd worked for. Everything he was supposed to become.
Unless she handled it first.
Victoria picked up her phone and texted her brother: My office. Now.
Alexander was reviewing contracts when Victoria's text came through.
The single word—Now—made his stomach drop.
He walked to her office, knocked once, entered.
Victoria sat at her desk, expression unreadable. Something lay face-down in front of her.
"Close the door."
He did, dread building.
She flipped over the photo and slid it across the desk.
Alexander's heart stopped.
The zoo. Saturday. Elena and Leo, smiling at the camera. Him with his arm around Elena's shoulders.
"Where did you get this?"
"Felicia brought it this morning. Found it at a photographer's display in the plaza." Victoria's voice was ice. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
"Victoria—"
"What if Father saw this? What if the board saw this? What do you think would happen to Thorne?"
"I know—"
"Do you?" She stood, palms flat on the desk. "Because from where I'm standing, you're risking everything. Your position, your future, the company's reputation—all for what? A relationship that can never work?"
"It's working now."
"Is it? Or are you just playing house while reality waits to catch up?" She gestured at the photo. "She has a child, Alexander. A child from god knows where. The press would have a field day. The board would question your judgment. Father would—"
"I don't care what Father thinks."
"Then you don't deserve to be at Thorne." The words landed like a blow. "If you can't put the company first, if you can't make the hard choices—"
"This isn't a choice. I love her."
"Love." Victoria's laugh was bitter. "Love doesn't pay the bills. Love doesn't secure partnerships. Love doesn't build empires."
"Maybe I don't want to build an empire."
"Then what do you want?"
"Her. Leo. A life that's actually mine instead of one that was planned for me before I was born."
Silence hung heavy between them.
Victoria's expression shifted—something almost like pain flickering across her features before hardening again.
"I won't tell Father. Yet." She sat down, suddenly looking tired. "But you need to end this. Before it ends you."
"I'm not ending it."
"Alexander—"
"I love her, Victoria. I love her son. I'm not walking away."
"Then you'll lose everything else."
"Maybe that's a price I'm willing to pay."
Victoria studied him for a long moment. Then she picked up the photo, held it out.
"Take this. Hide it. Burn it. I don't care." Her voice was quieter now. "But understand—I can't protect you forever. Eventually, Father will find out. The board will find out. And when they do, they'll make you choose."
"I've already chosen."
"Have you told her that? Does she know what she's costing you?"
"She's not costing me anything—"
"She is. And she will. And one day, you'll resent her for it." Victoria's eyes were sad now, not angry. "That's how this ends, Alexander. In resentment and regret."
"You're wrong."
"Am I? Or am I just the only one willing to see reality?"
He took the photo, sliding it into his jacket. "Is that all?"
"For now. But Alexander—" She caught his arm as he turned to leave. "I'm serious. End this before Father sees that photo. Before the board asks questions. Before you lose everything that matters."
"Elena matters. Leo matters."
"More than your future?"
"Yes."
Victoria released his arm, something like resignation crossing her face. "Then God help you. Because I can't."
He left, photo burning in his pocket, Victoria's words echoing in his head.
Eventually they'll make you choose.
He'd already chosen. But explaining that to Elena—explaining what that choice might cost—that was different.
That Evening
Alexander picked up Elena at six, like usual.
She slid into the passenger seat, smiling, immediately launching into a story about Leo's day.
"—and apparently he told Mrs. Chen that Alexander is teaching him about dinosaurs, which is news to me because you've never actually taught him anything specific, he just talks at you about dinosaurs and you nod—"
She paused, studying his face.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Fine."
"You sure? You seem distracted."
"Just tired. Long day."
She reached over, squeezing his hand. "Want to skip dinner at my place? We can just do a quiet night. Or you could go home and rest—"
"No." The word came out too sharp. He softened his tone. "No, I want to see you. Both of you."
"Okay." But her eyes were concerned. "Alexander, if something's wrong—"
"Nothing's wrong." He forced a smile. "Tell me more about Leo and the dinosaurs."
She hesitated, then continued her story, but kept glancing at him with worry.
At her house, Leo greeted them with his usual enthusiasm, tackling Alexander's legs.
"I drawed you a picture!"
"You did?"
"Yeah! It's us at the zoo! See?" He held up a paper covered in crayon scribbles that might have been people or possibly just enthusiastic chaos.
"It's perfect."
"I know! Mama said we can put it on the fridge!"
Alexander knelt down to Leo's level, looking at the drawing, and felt something crack in his chest.
This. This was what he was fighting for. This child's crayon drawings and innocent joy. Elena's smile. The family they were becoming.
And Victoria wanted him to walk away from it.
The board will make you choose.
He already had.
"Alexander?" Leo's voice pulled him back. "Do you like it?"
"I love it, buddy. It's the best drawing I've ever seen."
"Really?"
"Really."
Leo beamed, then ran off to show his mother something else important.
Alexander stood, photo still in his pocket, Victoria's ultimatum still echoing.
He'd tell Elena. Eventually. Just—not tonight.
Tonight, he wanted to pretend they were safe. That loving her and Leo was enough. That the real world couldn't touch them here.
Tomorrow, he'd figure out how to fight for them.
Tonight, he just wanted to hold them close and remember why he was willing to lose everything.
For the only thing that had ever felt real in his carefully constructed life.
Even if it cost him Thorne Empire.
Even if it meant choosing between the family he was born into and the one he was building.
He'd already made his choice.
Now he just had to find the courage to stand by it.
No matter what it cost.