Return of His First Love

Ch4

Alexa stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a soft robe, a towel wound around her damp hair. Her skin felt warm and clean, her body lighter than it had in a long time.

She slowly looked around the room, a small smile forming on her lips. This place could never be compared to where she had slept for the past seven years.

All this time…

She released a shaky breath and walked over to the bed, sitting down carefully. Her fingers pressed into the soft, spotless mattress, almost as if she needed to be sure it was real.

It still felt unbelievable.

“I can’t lose this,” she murmured, determined. “I can’t lose any of this. This is my life now, no matter what.”

Rising to her feet, she left the room and walked down the hallway to check on Nidas. When she opened his door, she found him bouncing happily on the bed, laughter spilling from his lips.

“Mom, this bed is so soft,” he exclaimed, barely able to contain himself.

Alexa laughed softly. “Don’t do that, son. Beds are for sleeping, not for jumping. Come down.”

Nidas immediately stopped and sat on the bed, his grin stretching from ear to ear. “Mom, is this really going to be our life now? Dad won’t abandon us, right?”

Alexa walked over and sat in front of him, her expression growing serious. “Your dad…” she began gently. “He didn’t know you existed. And he’s married to another woman.”

Nidas’ smile slowly faded.

“That’s why he’s so shocked,” Alexa continued. “Everything is complicated for him right now. He’s confused and doesn’t know what to do.” She paused, then smiled faintly and gestured around the room. “But even so, look at what your dad has already given us. What do you think that means, son?”

Nidas lowered his head, thinking hard. “That he’s… not going to abandon us?”

Alexa nodded, releasing a slow breath. “I know your dad very well. Once he knows you are his, he won’t let you go.” Her expression softened, then faltered slightly. “So please, son… don’t let go of me, no matter what happens.”

Nidas shook his head firmly and reached for her hand. “No, Mom. Never.”

At Empire, an exclusive hotel bar, Leonidas sat on a sofa in the corner of the lounge.

The low lights cast shadows across his face as he leaned forward and lit a cigarette.

The tip flared briefly.

He took a drag, then pulled the cigarette from his lips and exhaled slowly, smoke curling into the air as he sighed.

“Do you have what I need?” he asked.

Elliot Harris, seated on the couch beside him, reached forward and dropped a brown envelope onto the glass table between them.

“I don’t understand this, Leo,” Elliot said, his voice edged with confusion. “Whose strand did you give me? Why does it match yours?”

Leonidas barely reacted. “It does, doesn’t it?”

He picked up the envelope, slid the document out, and scanned the results. His eyes paused on the confirmation.

Positive.

“What is this about?” Elliot pressed. “I need an explanation. Do you have a child out there or something?”

Leonidas slipped the document back into the envelope and let it fall onto the table.

“Leo…”

“A son,” Leonidas said quietly, taking another drag from his cigarette as he leaned against the sofa.

Elliot’s eyes widened. “Holy s**t. How?”

“He’s seven years old,” Leonidas added, his voice steady.

“That long?” Elliot was taken aback. “Wait… that long ago? Then who the hell is the mother?”

Leonidas exhaled slowly, smoke leaving his lungs as he finally met Elliot’s gaze. “Alexa.”

Elliot frowned instantly. “That bitch.”

Leonidas shot him a sharp look. “Don’t call her that, Elliot.”

Elliot scoffed and leaned back. “I can’t believe this. I didn’t even know you were still in contact with her.”

“I wasn’t,” Leonidas replied, cigarette resting between his fingers. “She showed up at my doorstep.”

Elliot let out a short laugh and nodded. “Of course she did. That woman never misses an opportunity to cling to you. Now she’s even brought a child to tie you down. She's unbelievable.”

Leonidas lowered his gaze, silent, his thoughts spiraling as he stared at the table.

“Leo,” Elliot continued, leaning back, “don’t tell me you’re falling for her tricks again. You have a wife. Don’t forget that. Don’t go running back to that gold-digging b***h just because she showed up with your son. I’m sure she’s using the kid to pull at your sympathy, so don’t fall for it.”

“He’s my son, though,” Leonidas said, lifting his eyes to meet Elliot’s. “She wasn’t lying about that, was she? And if all she really wanted was my sympathy, then why come now? Why didn’t she look for me years ago?”

Elliot leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Bro, that doesn’t matter. What matters was her actions in the past, what she did. After everything, she doesn’t get to walk back into your life like she belongs there. If you ask me, the solution is simple. You should take your son and send her away.”

Leonidas let out a slow breath and turned his face aside. “I can’t do that.”

Elliot frowned and reached for a bottle, pouring himself a glass of beer. “Why not? Don’t tell me you still have feelings for her.”

“She’s…” Leonidas paused, then looked back at him. “She’s pregnant.”

Elliot’s eyes widened, then he burst out laughing as if he had just heard a joke. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He shook his head. “That woman never fails to amaze me. Pregnant? So she’s a gold digger and a w***e now too? You’re lucky you didn’t end up with her, man. You dodged a massive landmine.” He shrugged. “But what does her pregnancy have to do with you? It’s not your problem.”

He raised the glass and took a long gulp.

“It is,” Leonidas said quietly, leaning back against the sofa. “It matters… because the child she’s carrying is mine.”

Elliot choked on his drink, coughing as he slammed the glass onto the table. He stared at Leonidas in shock. “What?”

Leonidas simply nodded.

Elliot looked at Leonidas with concern, then reached for a napkin and wiped his mouth. He took a moment to steady himself before speaking again.

“Leo, my friend, you’re not a fool,” he said carefully. “You’re not the kind of man to fall for a woman’s scheme so easily. So tell me, how the hell did you end up getting her pregnant when she just showed up at your doorstep?”

Leonidas met his gaze calmly. “Two months ago.”

Elliot frowned. “Your business trip?”

Leonidas nodded. “I ran into her at the hotel where I was staying.”

“What was she even doing in a hotel?” Elliot asked, disbelief lacing his voice.

Leonidas shook his head slowly. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask.” He took another drag from his cigarette. “I’d just finished a dinner meeting and had a bit too much to drink. When I saw her, it felt unreal, like my mind was playing tricks on me. I grabbed her, brought her back to my room. We talked for a bit, and then… one thing led to another. I couldn’t stop myself.”

Elliot slowly nodded as everything sank in. “So you… knocked her up.”

Leonidas didn’t respond. He focused on smoking, staring ahead as thoughts of his family and the consequences weighed heavily on his mind.

“And how are you so sure the baby is yours?” Elliot pressed. “You met her in a hotel, remember? For all you know, she could’ve been there for another man.”

Leonidas exhaled slowly, eyes distant. “I just know. I know she’s not lying to me.”

Elliot sighed and lowered his gaze. “Natalie won’t take this well. You know how explosive she can get.”

Leonidas let out a short scoff. “Natalie will be fine.”

Elliot looked at him seriously. “Maybe. Maybe not. But you’re in for a storm, brother.” He paused. “Letting that woman back into your life with your son and now another child on the way?” He shook his head. “That’s not peace. That’s a war waiting to happen.”