Divorced by the Alpha, Claimed by the Rogue

Chapter 123: Chapter 123; What happened to Knox?

Aiden’s POV

"Alina, what do you think you’re doing?" I demanded, my chest tightening as I watched her toss her belongings into an open suitcase.

She didn’t stop folding her clothes. "What does it look like, Aiden? It’s time for me to leave." She paused, gripping a sweater tightly before turning to face me. "And you know something? You really are a terrible father."

The words cut clean through me. "What?"

"Leaving my son alone with Emily? That woman?" She let out a sharp, disgusted breath. "You have got to be shitting me."

"Hey, what happened?" I stepped closer, my hands raised in a plea for her to calm down. "Talk to me. Help me understand."

"I don’t have to explain anything to you," she said, her voice trembling as she zipped the bag shut. "But I am leaving. I have never felt safe in this house."

"Hey, Alina, please." I reached out, gently but firmly catching her by the wrist. "Please, just look at me. Tell me exactly what happened."

She yanked her arm back, her eyes burning with pure irritation. "Emily tried to harm Leo."

My blood ran cold. "What?"

"Yes, she did. Luckily, I walked into the room right on time."

"Alina... are you absolutely certain about what you saw?" I asked, my mind scrambling to process the accusation.

Her jaw tightened, a look of profound betrayal crossing her face. "Are you seriously asking me if I would lie about something like this? You know what? Forget it. It’s time for me to go. The three days we agreed on are officially up."

She snatched her duffel bag off the bed. I followed closely behind her as she marched down the hallway and straight into the nursery. Without a word to the nanny, she lifted Leo into her arms, cradling his small body against her chest.

"At least let me drive you," I pleaded, reaching for her bag. "Let me drop you off."

"No need," she snapped, bypassing me entirely. "My ride is already waiting outside."

A dark, heavy weight settled in my stomach. "Your ride? You mean Lucian?"

"Not now, Aiden," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the exit.

I stepped in front of her, blocking the doorway. "Let me at least say goodbye to Leo. Please."

Alina hesitated for a fraction of a second before giving a tight nod. I reached out and carefully took my son into my arms. The moment Leo rested against my chest, a small, innocent smile broke across his face. He reached up, his tiny fingers brushing against my cheek. A profound ache bloomed behind my ribs. I pressed a lingering kiss to his forehead before slowly handing him back to Alina.

I walked them down the stairs and out to the front porch, but my feet glued themselves to the concrete the moment we crossed the threshold.

A sleek car was idling in the driveway. Lucian stepped out from the driver’s seat, a warm, familiar smile on his face as he walked right up to Alina and naturally took Leo from her arms. I watched my son rest comfortably against Lucian’s shoulder, completely at ease.

A toxic wave of jealousy and hatred flared in my throat. I absolutely loathed how friendly he was being with my son. This won’t do.

I had convinced myself that having her over for just three days would be enough to satisfy the longing, but watching her walk away only made the agony ten times worse. My chest physically throved, the pain suffocating. I looked away, swallowing hard as hot tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

Turning on my heel, I stormed back upstairs to my bedroom, slamming the door shut. I began to pace the length of the floor, my hands clenched into fists. This couldn’t be a temporary arrangement anymore. It needed to be permanent. She needed to live here. Both of them belonged under my roof. But how? I had tried every tactic, used every excuse, and she still chose to run straight back to him.

A sharp knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts, and the door swung open. Emily stepped into the room, letting out a loud, dramatic sigh. "Finally. They are gone."

My jaw locked. I turned to her, my voice dropping to a dangerous, deadly low rumble. "Emily... what did you do to Leo?"

Emily blinked, her expression shifting into an flawless mask of confusion. "What are you talking about, Aiden?"

"Don’t try me right now," I warned, stepping into her space, my alpha aura flaring with a violent intensity that made the air in the room turn heavy. "What the hell did you do to my son?"

"I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about!" she insisted, throwing her hands up defensively.

"Alina told me everything," I growled. "She said you tried to harm him."

Emily let out a sharp, cynical laugh, crossing her arms over her chest. "And you honestly believed her? Seriously, Aiden? I utterly hate the way you treat me the exact moment that woman comes around. She tells you a blatant lie, and you blindly believe it. I am completely certain she only fabricated that story to paint a narrative that she isn’t safe here, just so she would have the perfect excuse to leave. Why aren’t you clocking her bullshit?"

Her words hung in the quiet room, echoing off the walls. I stood frozen, my anger suddenly wavering as doubt began to creep into my mind.

Maybe... maybe she’s right. Alina had been desperate to leave from the moment she arrived. Would she really go so far as to use our son to get away from me?

Before I could say another word, the sharp, shrill ring of my phone broke the heavy silence. I snatched it out of my pocket, checking the caller ID before pressing it to my ear.

"Hello?" I said, my voice still tight with residual anger.

I listened to the voice on the other end for three seconds before the color completely drained from my face. My grip tightened on the phone until the plastic groaned.

"What?" I gasped, my voice cracking with pure, unbridled shock. "What the hell happened to Knox?!"