Page 63 of Alpha-Ex Wedding Ruse
“Mom!”
He ran to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I dropped to my knees, instantly cupping his face, then pressing the back of my hand to his forehead and neck.
He was warm. Not hot like yesterday. No sweat clinging to his skin. Just his usual warmth. Still, I asked, “How are you feeling, baby? Does your head still hurt?”
He shook his head. “I told you I couldn’t be sick for long. You were just getting worried for nothing.”
I chuckled and ran my fingers through his curls. “That’s my job, Ollie. To worry about you.”
He grinned, then glanced back at Luca, who was watching us quietly.
“I hope you don’t mind that Uncle Luca helped me with the puzzle,” Ollie said. “He came to drop something off for you, and I was working on the car, and he offered to help me while he waited.”
My eyes flicked to Luca. I forced a polite smile. “It’s okay, Ollie.”
Valerie stepped in. “Ollie, why don’t we go upstairs and watch some cartoons on my phone while your mom talks with Luca?”
He agreed easily, and she took his hand, leading him up the stairs.
And just like that, I was alone. With the elephant in the room.
Luca stood as I shrugged off my coat and hung it on the rack. I kicked off my shoes, letting the silence stretch between us before I spoke.
“I’d appreciate it if you informed me before coming over to my house,” I said, not looking at him as I walked into the living room.
“Why?” he asked casually. “You’ve got something to hide?”
I blinked. Was he serious right now?
“It’s called basic fucking courtesy,” I snapped. “You don’t just show up uninvited like you own the place. Not that you’d know anything about courtesy.”
Arrogance practically dripped off him. It might as well have been his middle name.
I rubbed my temples, a dull ache building behind my eyes. I was exhausted. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Fighting with Luca was the last thing I had energy for.
“What do you want, Luca?” I sighed. “Why did you come here?”
He gestured to a brown file sitting on the coffee table, right next to the scattered LEGO pieces. I hadn’t even noticed it earlier. I was too caught up in that picture-perfect moment between him and Ollie.
I picked it up and flipped it open.
“Vaughn Industries is searching for a lead tech designer for the upcoming smart hub district,” he began, slipping into CEO mode. “It’ll be presented at the Grand Alpha’s Summit. We’re inviting a select few to submit proposals, and knowing your potential—”
I didn’t let him finish. I slammed the file shut, hard enough to send the corner jabbing into my thumb. The sting barely registered. Rage had already taken over.
This wasn’t an opportunity. It was an insult.
“Are you out of your mind?” I asked, my voice low. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
He looked at me, unfazed. “Offering you a chance to fulfill your dreams.”
He said it like I should be grateful. Like he was some benevolent god dropping crumbs at my feet.
I laughed, a bitter, sharp sound that felt like it was ripped straightfrom my ribs. “You actually think I’d ever go back to Vaughn Industries? After what you did to me? After you accused me of stealing, humiliated me in front of your entire pack, and tossed me out like garbage?”
“If you’d just set your pride aside for once,” he bit out, “you’d realize this is more money than you’ve ever made. You could move out of this shabby apartment, give Ollie something better. Pick up where you left off with those fierce dreams you used to chase like your life depended on them.”
My hands curled into fists before I even realized it.
