Under the pale glow of the moon, Leandro’s hands tightened around the steering wheel, his lips pressed into a thin line, as though wrestling with where to begin.
“Alina, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
I gave no reply, my eyes still on the blur of trees sweeping by outside.
He inhaled deeply, as though steeling himself.
“I want to hold a recognition ceremony for Kieran.”
My body stiffened. Slowly, I turned to him, disbelief flooding my eyes.
His own gaze faltered for a moment, but he quickly masked it, his tone softening into something almost pleading.
“Kieran is, after all, of our blood. He can’t be left without a name, without a place.”
I looked at him, then let out a sudden laugh.
“A recognition ceremony for Kieran? And you’re bringing this up to me?”
“Yes.” Seeing that I didn’t immediately refuse, his eyes lit faintly, his tone growing more eager.
“It doesn’t need to be grand, just invite some close relatives and friends, make it a formality. After all…”
He paused, as though weighing his words. “After all, we’re not officially divorced yet, and in name, you’re still his mother.”
I almost laughed aloud. So this was his plan: using the Windsor family’s name to grant Kieran legitimacy, to create the illusion that the family had accepted him, paving the way forward.
Leandro truly was calculating. Even with divorce looming, he was still scheming how to use the Windsor family and me.
But then I recalled the paternity test results I had received earlier today: Kieran and Leandro shared no blood at all.
I slowly leaned back against the seat, my fingertips tapping lightly against the windowpane, my voice calm.
“Alright. The child is innocent.”
He turned suddenly, eyes alight with disbelief and joy. “You’re agreeing?”
“Hmm.” I allowed a faint smile. “But there’s one condition: if it’s to be done, it must be grand. This event cannot bring shame to either the Rousseau family or the Windsor family.”
“Excellent!” His voice cracked with excitement, his hands nearly slipping from the wheel. “Alina, I knew you were the sensible one.”
“The day after tomorrow, at the Windsor family’s old residence, banquet hall. Media, relatives, friends, invite them all, not a single one missing.”
His expression brimmed with elation, his fingers tapping the steering wheel in restless delight.
“Good, good, I’ll make the arrangements immediately!”
When the car rolled to a stop at the villa, he didn’t even give me time to step out thoroughly before yanking out his phone. Dialing hurriedly, he kept repeating in gratitude. “Alina, you’ve always understood me best. I’ll inform Azalea and Kieran right away!”
I stood in the night breeze, watching in silence as Leandro’s car faded into the distance. Only when it vanished completely did all my strength slip away, my legs weakening beneath me.
At that moment, a pair of steady hands caught me. Nikolai appeared silently behind me, lifting me into his arms and carrying me toward the villa.
In that instant, I felt a rush of gratitude. After everything I had endured, Nikolai was still, as always, by my side.
