Chapter 84

Chris froze for a second, his eyes filled with confusion as he glanced at Alex before shrinking back into Madeleine's arms. She kept her head down, tense. "Mr. Simpson..." "This is my fault," Alex cut in and admitted first. He truly hadn't seen it coming—that Clinton and the Merritt family would target his grandfather. "Come back with me." Madeleine inhaled sharply, still not looking up. "No... I'm not going back." He reached out instinctively to help her up, but his hand caught only empty air. The distance in her eyes hit him like a brick. "Is it because I didn't protect you... or because I won't break off the engagement with Charlotte?" His voice dropped a few tones. She lowered her gaze without responding. But Alex already understood. It wasn't that she didn't understand—she just didn't matter enough. "Mom…" Chris tugged at her and spoke quietly. "Who is he?" Tears pricked her eyes as she glanced at Alex, uncertain if he'd even want to admit Chris was his son. "Chris, I'm your dad,"