Chapter 6

• The wind was louder than usual tonight.
• Danielle stood by her apartment window, arms folded, as she stared at a flickering street light outside. Rain lashed against the glass, the kind that came in sheets rather than drops. A storm warning had been issued earlier that day, but she hadn’t thought much of it. Typhoons were rare in this part of the city, and her building was known to hold firm.
• Still, the atmosphere felt unsettling.
• The lights in the apartment flickered briefly, and Danielle’s heart stuttered, eyes darting towards the ceiling. But the power held.
• She exhaled in relief.
• “Are you sure it’s safe to stay here?” A voice sounded from behind her, breaking the silence.
• He stood in her living room, tall and composed, though his posture remained guarded. Danielle looked away from the view in front of her and gave him a slight nod.
• “The building is storm-reinforced. We’ll be fine,”
• Alexander’s lips quirked, barely noticeable, like the shadow of a smirk. “Noted”.
• She glanced behind him into her bedroom, the door ajar. Her sight caught the little boy sprawled across the bed, looking so small in contrast to her queen-sized bed.
• Unknown to her, a small smile spread across her lips, a sight that didn’t go unnoticed by the man whose eyes never left her.
• “You should probably get some rest, too,” Danielle said as she returned her gaze to him.
• “It doesn’t look like it's going to stop raining anytime soon.”
• Alexander didn’t respond.
• His eyes were still trained on her as if trying to figure out her deepest secrets.
• Danielle returned to the couch, gently picking up a document. “You can relax, you know. I’m not plotting to steal your son or rob you.”
• His lips twitched again, almost unnoticeable. “Good to know.”
• The tension hung for a bit longer before Danielle gave him a polite nod. “Goodnight, Mr. Sterling.”
• “Alexander.” He corrected without thinking.
• Danielle paused. “Goodnight, Alexander.”
• -
• The wind howled louder as the night wore on, and Danielle found herself lying awake in bed, staring at the ceiling.
• She hated nights like this – too quiet, too loud, too many memories clawing their way back in. Her hand drifted subconsciously to her stomach. Three years, and the emptiness never fully went away.
• She had loved that baby. More than anything.
• She rolled over with a frustrated sigh and stared at the clock. Almost midnight.
• A soft knock startled her.
• She sat up quickly. “Yes?”
• “It’s me,” Alexander’s voice came through the door, quiet but clear.
• She opened it, concern etched in her brows. “Is something wrong?”
• He stood there, shirt rumpled, brows slightly furrowed. “Theo’s crying.”
• Danielle didn’t hesitate.
• They walked to the living room together. Theo lay on the couch, his face scrunched, soft whimpers escaping his lips as his small hands fisted the blanket.
• “No…” he murmured. “Don’t take me…”
• Alexander knelt by his son immediately. “Theo,” he said firmly. “Wake up. It’s just a dream.”
• But the child didn’t wake. His whimpering grew louder.
• Danielle knelt beside them and gently placed her hand on Theo’s forehead. “Theo,” she whispered. “Sweetheart, it’s okay. You’re safe.”
• His eyes fluttered open, tears clinging to his lashes. “Miss Pretty Lady…”
• She smiled softly. “I’m here. You’re okay.”
• Without thinking, Theo reached for her. Danielle pulled him into a gentle embrace, and he clung to her, burying his face in her shoulder.
• Alexander sat frozen, watching the way his son melted into Danielle’s arms.
• It was unsettling.
• And comforting.
• And strange.
• “She’s not your mommy,” he found himself saying before he could stop it.
• Danielle flinched slightly but didn’t let go. Theo just nodded sleepily.
• “I know,” he mumbled. “But she feels nice. Like she could be.”
• The silence after that was deafening.
• Danielle met Alexander’s eyes, unsure what to say. But the look on his face—conflicted, unreadable—told her not to say anything at all.
• Eventually, Theo drifted back to sleep in her arms. Danielle gently eased him down and tucked him in again.
• She stood, brushing her hair out of her face. “He has nightmares often?”
• Alexander exhaled. “Only since a few months ago. He started asking questions about where he came from.”
• Danielle’s gaze lingered on the boy. “He’s smart.”
• “He’s too smart,” Alexander murmured.
• Danielle nodded, then folded her arms over her chest, watching Theo breathe steadily.
• “I’m sorry if I’m overstepping,” she said. “He’s just… special.”
• “I know.”
• There was a long pause.
• “I don’t know why he’s attached to me,” she admitted quietly.
• “I do,” Alexander said.
• Danielle blinked.
• “You’re kind. And he senses that.”
• She looked down, trying to suppress the warmth blooming in her chest.
• “Well,” she said softly, “it’s only one night. He’ll probably forget all this by morning.”
• But deep down, neither of them believed that.
• Alexander lingered another moment, watching her with guarded eyes. Then he turned away.
• “I’ll take the couch tonight. You can rest.”
• Danielle didn’t protest.
• As she disappeared into the hallway, Alexander returned to the couch and sat beside his sleeping son. His eyes drifted to the dark window, the storm still raging outside.
• But inside, something had shifted.
• And he didn’t know if that was more dangerous than the storm.