Chapter 37 Borrowed Time
Alexander stayed for dinner. Then bath time. Then Leo's bedtime story about a T-Rex who made friends with a triceratops.
"And they were best friends forever?" Leo asked, fighting sleep.
"Forever and ever," Alexander confirmed, smoothing the blanket over small shoulders.
"Like you and Mama?"
Elena, standing in the doorway, felt her heart squeeze.
Alexander glanced at her, something unreadable in his expression. "Yeah, buddy. Like me and Mama."
"Good." Leo's eyes drifted closed. "I like you being here."
"I like being here too."
They watched until his breathing evened out, then slipped from the room.
In the living room, Elena started collecting Leo's scattered toys. Alexander helped without being asked, tossing dinosaurs into their bin.
"You're getting good at this," she said.
"Practice." He set the bin aside, then caught her hand. "Stay tonight?"
"I'm already home."
"I meant—" He tugged her closer. "I want to stay. If that's okay."
She studied his face. He looked tired. More than tired—worn down by something he wasn't saying.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just a long day."
"Alexander—"
"Please." His thumb traced circles on her wrist. "Can I just stay?"
She could push. Demand answers. But the exhaustion in his eyes stopped her.
"Of course you can stay."
Relief flooded his features. "Thank you."
They got ready for bed in comfortable silence. Elena lent him another t-shirt that barely fit his shoulders.
In bed, he pulled her against his chest, arms wrapped tight around her waist.
"This okay?" he murmured against her hair.
"Perfect."
His hold tightened slightly. Like he was afraid she'd disappear.
Elena laced her fingers through his, pressing back into his warmth. Whatever was bothering him, he'd tell her when he was ready.
For now, this was enough.
Friday Morning
Alexander woke to pale sunlight filtering through thin curtains and Elena's hair tickling his chin.
She was still asleep, one hand curled against his chest, breathing soft and even.
He should get up. Check his phone for the inevitable fallout from yesterday.
Instead, he stayed still, memorizing this. The weight of her against him. The quiet of the house. The peace he only felt here.
Eventually, she stirred. Blinked awake. Smiled.
"Morning."
"Morning." He kissed her forehead. "Sleep okay?"
"Mm. You?"
"Best I've slept in weeks."
She shifted to look at him properly, hair messy, eyes still soft with sleep. "You're a terrible liar."
"I slept fine."
"You were tense all night." Her fingers found the knot between his shoulder blades. "What's going on?"
"Work stuff. Nothing important."
"Are you sure—"
"I'm handling it." He caught her hand, brought it to his lips. "Promise."
She looked skeptical but didn't push. "Coffee?"
"I'll make it. You stay here."
"Such a gentleman."
"Only for you."
In the kitchen, he started the coffee maker, then rummaged through her fridge. Eggs, cheese, vegetables for an omelet. Bread for toast.
He was whisking eggs when Elena appeared, wrapped in her robe, leaning against the doorframe.
"You cook?"
"Sometimes. When properly motivated."
"And I'm proper motivation?"
"You're everything." The words came out easier than expected.
She crossed to him, sliding arms around his waist from behind, cheek against his back. "You're being sweet this morning."
"I'm sweet every morning."
"True." She pressed a kiss between his shoulder blades. "What are you making?"
"Omelets. If you trust me with your kitchen."
"I trust you with more than my kitchen."
Something in his chest loosened at that. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
They cooked together, moving around each other naturally. She buttered toast while he plated the omelets. He poured coffee while she set the table.
Domestic. Easy. Right.
"This is nice," Elena said, sitting across from him.
"It is."
"We should do this more often."
"I'd do this every morning if you'd let me."
She paused, fork halfway to her mouth. "You would?"
"In a heartbeat."
"Alexander—"
A crash from Leo's room interrupted whatever she'd been about to say.
They both froze.
"Mama! I'm awake!"
Elena laughed, the moment broken. "Duty calls."
"I'll get him. Finish your breakfast."
He found Leo standing in his crib, hair sticking up in every direction, grinning triumphantly.
"I climbed!"
"I see that. Very impressive."
"Did you make pan-cakes?"
"Omelets today."
Leo's face fell. "Oh."
"But there's toast with lots of butter."
"Okay!" Crisis averted.
Alexander lifted him, and carried him to the kitchen.
Elena had already set out Leo's favorite plastic plate.
Breakfast was chaotic—Leo talked non-stop about his dreams, the upcoming day, whether dinosaurs liked omelets. But it was also perfect.
This. This was what Alexander wanted. Every morning. Every day.
Even if it cost him everything else.
By seven-thirty, Alexander needed to leave to change before work.
"I'll see you at the office," he said, kissing Elena at the door.
"Careful. Someone might see."
"Let them."
"Alexander—"
"I know. I'll be professional." He kissed her again. "Mostly professional."
"Mostly?"
"I'm only human, Elena."
She laughed, pushing him toward the door. "Go. Before you're late."
He drove home, showered, changed into a fresh suit, and tried not to think about Victoria's ultimatum.
End this before Father finds out.
Not happening.
At the office, he arrived early, hoping to avoid his sister.
No such luck.
Victoria was already at her desk.
She didn't call him in. Didn't say anything.
Somehow, that was worse than another confrontation.
Elena arrived at eight-fifteen, Leo dropped at Mrs. Chen's, coffee in hand.
Victoria's office door was open. Elena knocked lightly.
"Morning. Your schedule for today—"
"Send it via email." Victoria didn't look up from her screen.
Elena blinked. Victoria always wanted the morning rundown in person. Liked the face-to-face update.
"Is everything okay?"
"Fine."
"Okay. I'll send it now."
Back at her desk, Elena pulled up the schedule, trying to shake the odd feeling from that interaction.
Victoria had seemed... distant. Colder than usual.
Maybe she was having a bad morning.
Elena sent the schedule, then started her own work. Emails, meeting confirmations, contract reviews that needed Victoria's signature.
Normal Friday tasks.
Except nothing felt quite normal.
Alexander buried himself in work. Market analysis. Partnership proposals. Anything to stop thinking about the photo in his drawer, Victoria's words echoing in his head.
His phone buzzed. Elena.
Conference room C in ten minutes? Need your signature on the Westwood contract.
I'll be there.
Ten minutes later, he found her in the small conference room, contract spread on the table.
She looked up when he entered, smiled. "Thanks for coming. Victoria's in meetings all morning, but this needs to go out today—"
He kissed her.
She made a surprised sound, then melted into it, hands coming up to his chest.
When he pulled back, she was flushed. "Alexander—"
"Couldn't help it."
"We're at work."
"Door's closed."
"Still—" But she was smiling. "You're going to get us caught."
"Would that be so bad?"
Her smile faded slightly. "You know it would."
"Right. Professional." He stepped back, forcing himself to focus on the contract. "Where do you need my signature?"
She showed him, standing close enough that he could smell her perfume. It took all his self-control not to kiss her again.
He signed, dated, handed back the pen.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Anytime."
Their fingers brushed. Held.
"Tonight?" he asked.
"Can't. It's Mrs. Chen's sister's birthday. She's not available, and I promised Leo we'd have movie night."
"I could come over. Watch movies with you."
"You want to watch The Lion King for the hundredth time?"
"If it means seeing you, yes."
"You're ridiculous."
"About you? Absolutely."
She laughed, squeezed his hand, then let go. "I should get back."
"Elena—"
"Mm?"
He wanted to tell her. About Victoria. The photo. The ultimatum.
But looking at her now, happy and relaxed, he couldn't bring himself to ruin it.
"Nothing. Just... I love you."
Her expression softened. "I love you too."
She left, taking the contract with her.
Alexander stayed in the conference room, trying to remember how to breathe normally.
Eventually, they'll make you choose.
He'd already chosen.
Now he just had to figure out how to keep both worlds from colliding.
Afternoon
The day continued. Meetings. Emails. Normal work flow.
Alexander saw Elena twice more—once in the hallway, where they exchanged professional nods. Once in Victoria's office during a contract review, where Elena took notes while Alexander and Victoria discussed terms.
Victoria was perfectly professional. Addressed Elena normally. Gave instructions without any hint of yesterday's confrontation.
But Alexander felt the tension underneath. The unspoken warning.
I won't tell Father. Yet.
When the meeting ended, Elena gathered her notes and left.
Victoria waited until the door closed. "You're still seeing her."
"Yes."
"I was hoping you'd come to your senses."
"I have. That's why I'm staying."
Victoria's jaw tightened. "You're making a mistake."
"Maybe. But it's my mistake to make."
"Not when it affects Thorne Empire."
"It doesn't—"
"It will." She stood, crossing to the window. "Father's coming back from Boston on Monday. He'll want updates on Q1 projections. Partnership status. The Singapore deal."
"I'll have everything ready."
"And if Felicia talks? If he sees that photo?"
"Then I'll handle it."
"How?" Victoria turned to face him. "What's your plan, Alexander? Hope this all magically works out?"
"My plan is to do my job, be with the woman I love, and deal with problems as they come."
"That's not a plan. That's denial."
"Maybe." He moved toward the door. "But it's working so far."
"Until it doesn't."
He left without responding.
Back in his office, he stared at the city skyline, Victoria's words circling.
His phone buzzed. Elena again.
Leo wants to know if you like popcorn with movies.
Tell him I love popcorn.
He says you have to come over then. Movie night rules.
What time should I be there?
Six. And Alexander? Bring your appetite. Leo's insisting on making 'special snacks.'
Should I be worried?
Absolutely. See you at six.
He smiled despite everything.
Monday, his father would be back. Questions would start. Pressure would mount.
But tonight, he'd watch The Lion King with Elena and Leo, eat whatever "special snacks" a two-year-old considered edible, and pretend the real world could wait.
Because right now, in this moment, that's all he wanted.
Just a little more borrowed time.
Before everything changed.