The Shadows at the Door

Esmeralda

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In the hallway, Dr. Reginald handed me the discharge papers, but his expression was tinged with concern. "Mrs. Moreau, while your vitals have stabilised, I strongly recommend taking things slowly. The stress of the past twenty-four hours .."

"I know," I cut in gently, though the weight of everything made my voice softer than I intended. "Believe me, I know."

Through the window, I could see Alex seated on the edge of the hospital bed, his tall frame hunched slightly so he could better demonstrate how to make Storm the dragon "fly." Luca giggled uncontrollably, his small hands mimicking Alex's larger ones, his excitement palpable even through the glass.

Such a simple thing, a father playing with his son, but it made my throat tighten. This was the life I had denied them both, the connection I had run from believing I was protecting everyone. Yet seeing them together now, with Alex's rare laugh echoing faintly, I wondered if I'd only been protecting myself.

"He hasn't taken his eyes off that boy since he realised," Dr. Reginald observed, his tone almost fatherly. "In fifteen years as his physician, I've never seen Alexander Vale look quite so..."

"Lost?" I offered, though the word felt cruel. "Terrified?"

"Human," the doctor countered with a faint smile. "Though I suppose finding out you have a three-year-old son would humanise anyone."

I couldn't bring myself to smile back. My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me back to reality.

A message from my lawyer: We'll begin processing the cancellation of the divorce papers immediately. Are you sure about this?

Was I? Another leap of faith. Another decision I wasn't sure I was ready to face. But I had made the choice for Luca. It was always for Luca.

Inside the room, Alex's laugh rang out again, startlingly warm, startlingly unguarded. Luca's small voice chimed in, explaining something in that serious way only children could manage. My chest ached. Alex's expression was so uncharacteristically tender as he watched Luca—full of pride, wonder, and something else I couldn't quite name.

"One step at a time," I murmured to myself, gripping the papers tightly. "One day at a time."

***

Back in the room, Alex was mid-argument with Dr. Reginald, one hand gripping the bed rail as if preparing to rise.

"The scans are clear," Alex was saying, his CEO voice as firm as ever. "I have meetings to—"

"You have a concussion," Dr. Reginald interrupted, his tone sharp. "And your son is currently showing you his favourite dragon stories. The meetings can wait."

The word 'son' made the room fall into a sudden, fragile silence. Alex froze, his fingers tightening on the rail. My breath caught, the newness of it—the rawness—hanging between us like a live wire.

"I'll have Penny bring the car around," I said quietly, breaking the silence before it could grow unbearable. "Luca needs his afternoon nap soon anyway."

Alex turned to me, his gaze steady but his voice careful. "Of course." He hesitated, then added, "Will you..." He stopped, then tried again. "When can I see him again?"

Before I could respond, the sound of clicking heels against the tiled floor sent a chill up my spine. That rhythm, that cadence, that presence.

No. Not now.

The scent of expensive perfume preceded her. I didn't have to turn to know who it was.

"Well, well," came a voice dripping with honeyed venom. "Isn't this cozy?"

I turned slowly, every muscle in my body tensing as Juliette stepped into the room. Her designer heels clicked decisively against the floor, her flawless makeup accentuating the sharp curve of her smirk. Her eyes, always calculating, swept over the scene before settling on Luca.

"My, my, dear stepsister," she purred, her gaze sharpening. "He looks exactly like his father, doesn't he?"

***

Alex's chair scraped slightly against the floor as he straightened, his presence suddenly as commanding as I remembered from all those boardrooms and galas. His storm-grey eyes darkened, a storm brewing just beneath the surface.

"Juliette," he said, his tone low, clipped. "I wasn't aware you were invited."

Juliette feigned surprise, placing a perfectly manicured hand to her chest. "Oh, forgive me for intruding. I heard about your accident, and I simply had to come check on you." Her gaze flicked back to Luca, her smirk deepening. "And imagine my surprise to find… this."

Luca tilted his head, confused by the tension in the air. "Mama? Who's this lady?"

"No one important," I said quickly, moving to stand in front of him protectively.

Juliette's eyes glinted, a predator sensing blood. "Oh, but we're practically family, aren't we, Esmeralda?"

Alex rose slowly from the bed, his height towering over Juliette despite the slight unsteadiness in his movements. "Leave," he said quietly, the steel in his voice unmistakable. "Now."

Juliette's smirk didn't waver, but her eyes darted to him briefly, assessing. "Touchy, aren't we, Alexander? I'm only here to offer my congratulations. A son! What a charming surprise."

My hands tightened into fists. "You don't belong here, Juliette."

"Oh, but I think I do," she said smoothly. "After all, I'm the one who told you the truth about Alexander's 'first love,' didn't I? The truth you didn't want to hear."

Alex's sharp intake of breath was audible, but his gaze didn't leave her. "Juliette," he said, his voice dangerously low. "You have five seconds to leave before I call security."

Her smirk faltered ever so slightly. "Fine," she said, tossing her hair with a casual shrug. "But don't think this is over, dear stepsister. Secrets have a way of coming out… eventually."

With one last, lingering look at Luca, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her heels echoing down the hallway.

The tension remained long after she'd gone, the air thick with everything her presence had stirred.

"Mama?" Luca's small voice broke the silence. "Did that lady make you sad?"

I crouched beside him, brushing his curls gently. "No, darling," I lied. "She just surprised me, that's all."

Alex's voice was low but firm when he spoke. "That won't happen again."

I glanced up at him, his jaw tight, his expression thunderous. "It can't," I said quietly, standing and meeting his gaze. "For Luca's sake."

"Agreed," Alex said, his storm-grey eyes blazing with determination.

For once, we were on the same side. But the storm Juliette had left in her wake was far from over.

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