His to Ruin

The Heir Who Doesn't Know

The car sped through the busy streets of New York, but inside this black SUV, the air was more suffocating than I would have liked.

I sat in the back seat, Alec next to me, while Abraham was on the other side, almost pressed against the door. Not because he was afraid, he knew no fear because he was too busy staring out the window with curious eyes.

"Wow, this is a really big car!" his voice squeaked a little, his hand touching the dashboard. "I can sleep in here. Actually, if I had this, I'd sleep in the trunk. That would be really cool."

Alec glanced briefly at Abraham, then looked straight ahead again. Not saying anything.

Abraham didn't care. "Where did you buy this? Do you have a lot? Is the color only black? Why is everyone who comes with you wearing a suit? Are you their boss?"

I closed my eyes for a second.

God, this kid.

Alec finally turned his head slightly toward him. "I didn't buy the car. Someone else picked it out for me."

"Oh." Abraham nodded seriously. "Have a personal assistant? So you're like an important person, huh?"

Alec didn't answer.

Abraham shrugged. "I have a car, too. But it's a toy. It's red."

I cleared my throat softly, hoping my son would pick up the signal to be quiet. Of course, my hopes were too high.

"Do you live in an apartment or a house?" Abraham continued excitedly. "A house, right? You seem like someone who needs a big space to sit and think about how cool you are."

My mouth almost fell open.

Alec turned his head, gave Abraham a long look, then raised one eyebrow.

For God's sake, I realized Abraham wasn't just not afraid. He was also enjoying this.

My son is really too much like—

I paused.

My gaze shifted from Abraham to Alec.

Sitting next to each other like this, Alec should have seen it. They have the same hazel eyes, the identical jawline, and the way they raise one eyebrow when challenging someone. But Alec remained silent, not showing the slightest sign of awareness.

I should have been worried. I should have been afraid that this secret would come out.

But right now?

I feel relieved instead.

If Alec wasn't smart enough to realize it, he might still have a chance to protect Abraham from him.

The car began to slow down as it entered an elite residential area. But this was different from the others. There were no towering buildings, no rows of houses crammed together.

Instead, there was a vast expanse of land with tall pine trees lined up in neat rows. In the distance, a large mansion stood majestically in the center, with a beautiful garden stretching around the building.

Abraham pressed his face against the windowpane. "Whoa."

I felt Alec stare at me before he said, "Welcome home."

As soon as the car stopped before the mansion, Abraham pulled his body away from the window and turned to me.

His face was serious, but his eyes lit up with something I recognized as good-natured. He moved closer to my side, cupped his small hand next to his mouth, and then whispered at a volume loud enough for people in the entire car to hear.

"I thought rich people had nicer houses."

My heart almost stopped.

I reflexively glanced at Alec, waiting for an angry outburst.

But all I got was silence.

Alec didn't stiffen or give Abraham the murderous stare I was used to seeing from him. Instead, his lips curled faintly, almost imperceptibly, but I saw it.

I waited for him to say something, reprimand Abraham, or tell him to shut up.

But the opposite happened.

Alec opened the car door, got out quietly, and then turned to Abraham, who was still sitting inside.

"Well then, let's go inside and see if the inside is more up to your standards."

The voice was calm. Not cold, not angry.

Abraham confidently jumped out of the car. "Okay! I hope there's a swimming pool. But if there isn't, I won't complain. I'm not a spoiled brat."

I blinked, unable to believe what I had just seen.

Alec allowed himself to be ridiculed?

Not even the slightest bit angry?

Damn.

I don't know if that's a good sign or a disaster waiting to happen.

>>>>

Alec walked first, not turning around, not checking if we were following him.

The mansion was grander than it looked from the outside. The ceilings were high, crystal chandeliers hung like little stars, and the smooth marble floors reflected our silhouettes.

The scent of wood was faint, mixed with something more subtle, a distinctive expensive fragrance that reminded me of the man now walking ahead.

Abraham gazed around with dilated eyes, the admiration he barely concealed etched on his face. But, of course, the boy wouldn't just admit it.

"Not bad," he muttered, nodding slowly. "But it's too quiet. Like a vampire house in the movies."

I sighed, hoping Alec hadn't heard.

He stopped in the room, turning his head slightly to the side.

"Then, be careful. I might be one of them."

Abraham immediately stiffened. "What?"

I gave Alec a sharp look, signaling him not to scare my son. Our son.

But the man just raised an eyebrow slightly as if enjoying Abraham's reaction. The boy looked at Alec suspiciously, weighing things in his head that were still too innocent to understand how dangerous this man was.

Then, with his chin up, Abraham nodded. "Alright. Then, I have to make sure you don't bite anyone in this house."

Alec chuckled. Fast, low, almost inaudible. I wasn't even sure if I was actually hearing it or just imagining it.

Without another comment, he was back on his way, striding up the stairs in long strides that left no room for us to choose but to follow him.

I swallowed, a strange feeling swirling in my chest as I glanced at the man walking ahead and the little boy who boldly followed beside him.

If I didn't know better, I would have thought they looked like—

No, they don't.

I shook my head softly.

Alec doesn't know yet.

And as long as he does, I still have a chance to leave.