Chapter 186
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Chapter 188
Sarah’s POV
The cold intensity in Alexander’s eyes made me painfully aware that he now viewed me as nothing more than a
stranger.
I quickly pulled my hand back.
“I was just curious about the tattoo,” I said softly, trying to mask the hurt in my voice. “I’ve never seen
anything quite like it p>
His grip on my wrist loosened slightly, but his expression remained guarded. I seized the moment to change the
subject, holding up the vibrating phone.
“Why did you lie to me about there being no signal at sea?” I asked, my voice sharper than intended. “You
clearly have reception. Was that deliberate p>
Alexander moved closer, backing me against the wall.
Water droplets from his shower still clung to his broad shoulders, and the scent of his soap–clean and
something distinctly him–filled my senses as he moved into my personal space.
“And what if it was deliberate?“he challenged, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “What exactly would
you do about it, Miss Winters p>
His face was so close I could count each of his dark lashes, see the subtle flecks of gold in his irises that most
would never notice.
My heart skipped a beat at his proximity.
I swallowed hard and broke eye contact, shoving the still–ringing phone into his hand. “Someone’s calling you p>
The screen had been facing down when I first noticed it, but now I could see the caller ID photo displayed
prominently. My heart constricted painfully.
It was Thea.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the image.
The photo showed Alexander standing at the head of a conference table, commanding the room as always, but
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Chapter 188
with one striking difference–he was holding a baby.
One strong arm cradled an infant with an adorable pacifier, while his other hand held a pen poised over documents spread before him.
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A projector screen glowed behind him, some executive mid–presentation. Alexander’s perfect brow was slightly furrowed–perhaps displeased with whatever strategy was being outlined.
The photo had clearly been taken candidly, likely passed to Alexander later and saved as a treasured memory. It was beautifully natural, capturing a side of him few ever saw.
The baby appeared to be seven or eight months old, with adorably chubby cheeks and the hint of a dimple. Her eyes were crescent moons of joy, smiling directly at the camera with pure delight.
The ice–cold CEO bottle–feeding a baby while working–it was strangely captivating.
And then, he picked up the phone.
Alexander took the phone with those long, elegant fingers I remembered so well, not sparing me a single glance as he brushed past. He slid his thumb across the screen to answer.
Though his voice remained outwardly neutral, I noticed the subtle softening around his eyes–a change only someone who truly knew him would detect.
“Awake already?” he asked, his tone gentler than any he’d used with me.
He opened the closet, selecting clothes one–handed while continuing the conversation, his deep voice rumbling in that soothing way I once loved waking up to. “Feeling better? Anything hurting p>
“If you’re not feeling well, I’ll call Dr. Miller to come by the house,” he continued, the concern evident in his
voice.
I watched him from the corner of my eye, eavesdropping shamelessly.
I couldn’t hear what Thea said, but whatever it was, it made his brow furrow.“Perhaps she left her phone behind last night. It’s understandable you couldn’t reach her p>
Then came the words that made my breath catch: “Thea Blackwood, is a sister you just met truly more important to you than your uncle p>
My heart fluttered unexpectedly. In Thea’s eyes, I was more important than her uncle?
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A strange warmth bloomed in my chest, surprising in its intensity. I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered the sweet child waving at me, calling me “sister” with such innocent enthusiasm.
Thea must have said something Alexander didn’t appreciate, because he suddenly turned toward me, his eyes shooting daggers in my direction. I flinched under his cold stare.
Wait–was he actually jealous that his niece liked me? The absurdity of it nearly made me laugh.
As he strode toward me on those impossibly long legs, the temperature in the room seemed to drop with each step. I backed away instinctively, hands raised in surrender.
“Alpha Blackwood, surely you’re not blaming me for this?” I protested. “I’m completely innocent here p>
With one swift movement, he grabbed my wrist–not roughly, but firmly–and pressed the phone into my
palm. “Talk to her,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. The possessive authority in his
voice sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine, reminding me of how it once felt to be his Luna.
“Um…” I hesitated, raising the phone to my ear.
Almost immediately, Thea’s excited voice burst through the speaker: “Uncle, I heard Sister’s voice!! Why are you with Sister so early in the morning? Do you like her too p>
I cleared my throat, unable to suppress a smile. Thea, it’s me p>
The line went dead silent. Had she heard me?
“Thea? Can you hear your sister speaking?” I asked, concerned by the sudden quiet.
After several seconds of silence, she finally responded: “Sister…” Her voice had transformed completely–soft,
sweet, almost shy. The contrast to her previous excitement was startling.
I was amazed by how quickly her demeanor had changed. “Yes, it’s me. Has Thea missed her sister p>
“Miss you…” she answered obediently, like a little wolf pup whose fur had been gently stroked.
My heart melted completely. “I’ve missed you too, sweetheart p>
“Baby, I’m so sorry about last night,” I continued, guilt washing over me. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Are you still in pain p>
“Hurts…” Thea sniffled, her voice small. “Hurts a lot, Sister p>
“But,” she added with childish cunning, “if Sister could come kiss it better, maybe Thea wouldn’t hurt
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Chapter 188
anymore p>
“So Sister, can you come see Thea now p>
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Before I could respond, Alexander snatched the phone from my hand. “Hey!” I protested. “Alexander, I wasn’t finished talking to her p>
I could hear Thea’s plaintive cry through the speaker: “Uncle p>
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