Chapter 34
The door shut behind me with a soft click. I didn't stop walking. I couldn't. If I did, I might start thinking. And if I started thinking, I might break. And I wasn't allowed that luxury. At least not here. Not in this house.
His question still echoed in my head.
Why were those men in my house… looking for you?
I'd told him what Fernando told me to say when the pressure was too much. It was a mistake, he'd said.
I turned a corner, my steps quickened slightly as I made my way down the corridor leading to my room.
"He knows something," I muttered under my breath. "Or at least he suspects…"
But suspicion wasn't proof. And as long as he didn't have proof, I still had room barely to breathe. I exhaled slowly, pressing my palm briefly against the wall as I paused.
"Fernando…" I whispered.
One name. Two different kinds of danger.
I pushed myself off the wall and kept walking.
I had barely reached the turn leading to my wing when I heard soft footsteps. Light. Quick. Careless.
I froze. Then turned.
Serena ran straight into me.
This time, I didn't have to catch her from falling. She collided into my arms willingly, wrapping herself around me like she had been waiting for this moment.
"I knew it!" she whispered excitedly against my dress. "I told Carlitos you'd be here!"
"Serena…" I breathed out, instinctively holding her tighter.
Footsteps followed behind her. Slower, more controlled.
Carlitos.
He stopped a few steps away, his gaze flicking around the corridor before settling on me.
"We shouldn't be out here," he said quietly.
I smiled.
"Of course you shouldn't," I replied.
Serena pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes shining.
"We missed you," she said simply.
My heart sagged
"I missed you too," I answered, softer than I intended.
"You stopped coming," she added, her brows pulling together. "We thought you were angry."
"Angry?" I shook my head quickly. "No, no… never at you."
"Then why?" she pressed. I hesitated.
Carlitos stepped in before I could answer.
"Father?" he said.
I nodded slowly. "Your father has… rules."
Serena frowned. "But you always follow rules."
I let out a quiet breath. "I do."
Carlitos crossed his arms, studying me.
"Then what happened?" he asked.
There was no accusation in his tone. Just curiosity.
"Grown-up stuff," I supplied simply.
"You said that before," Serena pouted and whined.
"I know darling. It's not that easy to explain to kids," I answered her.
"Are you in trouble?," Serena asked, puzzled.
Before I could answer, Carlitos spoke again.
"She is," he said flatly. "That's why she's been restricted."
Silence fell between us for a moment.
Then Serena moved closer again, hugging me tightly.
"I don't like it," she mumbled.
My throat tightened.
"I don't either," I admitted.
Carlitos shifted his weight, glancing briefly down the corridor.
"We don't have long," he said. "We weren't supposed to come here."
"You snuck out?" I asked.
"We distracted María," Serena nodded proudly.
I blinked. "You what?"
"She talks too much," Carlitos added dryly. "It was easy."
I stared at them.
"You shouldn't be doing that," I said, even though part of me was impressed.
"We wanted to see you," Serena insisted.
That soft, honest weight. I crouched slightly so I was at her level.
"I'm glad you did," I said quietly. "But you have to be careful."
"Will you come back?" she asked immediately. The question hit fast. Sharp.
"I…" I hesitated.
Carlitos was watching me closely now.
"You don't know," he said.
"No," I admitted. Serena's grip tightened again.
"You have to," she said stubbornly. "You promised."
Promises. God.
"I'm trying," I said gently. "Okay?"
She didn't look convinced. Before I could give any more reassurances.
"Did I not give instructions?"
The voice cut through the moment cleanly. Cold. Controlled. Final.
Serena stiffened in my arms. Carlitos straightened immediately. I didn't turn right away. I didn't need to. I felt him.
"Answer me," Alex said.
Slowly, I rose to my feet, turning to face him. He stood a few feet away, his posture relaxed but his presence anything but.
"How long have you been there?" I asked.
His gaze didn't shift.
"Long enough."
Of course.
Serena stepped slightly behind me, her hand clutching the fabric of my dress.
"Daddy—"
"Serena."
One word. That was all it took. She fell silent instantly. His eyes moved between the three of us. Then back to the children.
"What did I say about passing a set boundary?" he asked.
"We came to see her, sir," Carlitos spoke first. Direct. No hesitation. Alex's gaze settled on him.
"I didn't ask why," he said calmly.
Silence. Serena shifted again, her grip tightening.
"I missed her," she said softly.
Something flickered in his eyes. Gone just as quickly.
"You will return to your room," he said.
Serena didn't move.
"Now," he added.
Carlitos placed a hand lightly on her shoulder.
"Come on," he murmured.
She shook her head slightly.
"No…"
My chest tightened. Alex's gaze shifted to me. Then back to her.
"Serena."
There was no raise in his voice. No anger. Just certainty. She hesitated. Then slowly… painfully… she let go of me. Each second stretched. Each movement heavier than it should have been. She stepped back. Then another.
Carlitos turned without another word, expecting her to follow. She did. But before she fully left, she looked back at me.
"Bye," she said. I forced a small smile.
"For now sweetie," I spoke.
The door down the hall closed behind them.
And just like that the warmth disappeared. Silence rushed in. Heavy. Unforgiving. I didn't move. Neither did he.
"You disobeyed," Alex said finally.
I let out a slow breath. "They came to me."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"They are my children," he spoke calmly. "And I was clear when I said you're not allowed anywhere near them."
A pause.
"They've found a friend in me. Why are you opposed to that?," I asked.
"You're supposed to stay inside your room," he continued.
"Till when?," I dared ask.
"Whenever I see fit," he answered. "Or whenever you tell me the truth. What does Fernando Alcázar want from you?."
"I've told you already. It was only a mistake. If you're so suspicious of me why not fire me?," I asked. If he conceded I'll be free from two demons.
"Where's the fun in that? I allow certain things," he answered instead with a scoff.
My stomach tightened.
"So this is a game to you?" I asked, horrified.
His head tilted slightly.
"Everything is," he said.
"Then congratulations. Because I'm done playing this game," I retorted.
"I call the shots on this one," he said, his eyes didn't leave mine.
"They came to see me," I said, referring back to the kids.
"You allowed it."
"They're not prisoners."
"No," he agreed. "They're not."
The silence stretched again.
"You will not confuse them," he said.
The words landed harder than anything else.
My expression hardened immediately.
"Excuse me?,"
"You heard me."
"I didn't confuse anyone," I snapped.
"You inserted yourself into a role with my children that is not yours," he accused.
Anger flared instantly.
"I cared about them," I said.
"That's not your place. Not anymore," he retorted.
"And who decides that?" I challenged.
"I do," he said with an air of finality.
"You think this is about control?" I asked.
"No Alice, It is about structure," he replied.
"Really?," I asked.
His gaze darkened just a fraction.
"You're crossing lines you don't understand," he argued.
"Then explain them," I shot back.
He stepped closer. Not rushed. Not aggressive. Just deliberate.
"Stay away from my children."
"I can't," I said quietly.
"No," I shook my head and continued in the ensued silence. "I just can't. You shouldn't have let them come this close in the first place."
That hit. I saw it. Brief. Subtle. But it was there. His jaw tightened slightly.
"You're observant," he said.
Silence again.
But this time… different. Charged. He studied me. Not with anger. Not even with irritation. Something else. Something heavier.
"You're either very foolish or very calculated," he said slowly.
I didn't answer. Because I didn't know which one I was anymore. Another step. Closer.
"Next time," he added quietly, "I won't be this lenient."
A warning. Not loud. Not dramatic. But real.
I held his gaze.
"Maybe. Maybe not," I replied just as quietly.
The words hung between us. Dangerous. Bold. Reckless. If he wanted to play games then I'm willing to learn the rules.
"Go into your room," he commanded.
I didn't move immediately. Then, without a word, I turned and walked away.
But this time I felt it. Not just control. Not just danger. Something else had started.
And I wasn't sure which of us it would destroy first.