Chapter 56: Chapter 56
"Don’t you think this is a little fast?" Fleur asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
Christian’s expression softened. "Marriage or no marriage, I want my little princess to call me Dad," he said sincerely. "And I want her to start today."
A radiant smile immediately spread across Chloe’s face.
"Thank you, Dad!" she exclaimed happily.
The single word hit Christian harder than he expected.
His throat tightened as unfamiliar emotions surged through him. For years, people had feared him. To the world, he was a ruthless alpha king, a merciless man capable of terrifying cruelty. Yet in that moment, none of those titles mattered.
All he wanted was a family.
Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to Chloe’s forehead.
"My princess," he murmured, "you’ll always have a place with me."
Then he lifted his gaze to Fleur.
"Since your mother agreed, I think we should celebrate."
Gabriel’s eyes lit up immediately.
"Really? How?"
Christian chuckled. "We can spend the afternoon doing whatever you two want, and afterward we’ll have dinner somewhere nice."
"Yes!" Chloe squealed. "Let’s go to the mall first, then the arcade! Dad, will you play games with me?"
"Of course I will, sweetheart."
The warmth spreading through Christian’s chest grew every time she called him Dad.
Gabriel crossed his arms confidently.
"I’m still going to beat you, Chloe. Just like I always do."
Chloe stuck her tongue out at him.
"No, you won’t. Dad’s on my team this time."
Gabriel rolled his eyes dramatically.
"That’s fine. Mom can be on mine. We’ll still win."
Fleur watched the exchange quietly.
The children chatted with Christian as though he had always been part of their lives. The ease between them felt strangely natural.
Unfortunately, reality quickly returned.
"Oh no." Fleur groaned. "I left work in the middle of the day when I found out you and Chloe were missing from school. I need to go back."
Instantly, both children’s smiles disappeared.
"Please, Mom?" Chloe begged, wrapping her arms around Fleur.
Christian still held her effortlessly with one arm, but she leaned toward her mother with pleading eyes.
"We want to go out."
"No, Chloe. It’s getting late. We’re going home."
Disappointment flooded the little girl’s face as Christian set her down.
She immediately rushed to Fleur’s side.
"Please, Mom! Just this once!"
Gabriel joined the campaign without hesitation.
"Yeah, Mom. We never celebrate anything anymore. You’re always working."
Caught between two hopeful faces, Fleur sighed heavily.
The children stared up at her with such expectation that her resolve began to crumble.
She had no desire to spend time with Christian. But she hated disappointing her children even more.
"Fine," she relented. "But we’re coming home early."
The twins exploded with excitement.
"Thank you, Mom!"
Chloe kissed one cheek. Gabriel claimed the other. Their affection instantly melted the last of Fleur’s resistance.
"We’re going out!"
"We’re going to celebrate!"
The twins cheered together.
Fleur shook her head, unable to suppress her smile.
Then a deep voice sounded beside her.
"Thank you, wife."
Before she could react, Christian appeared behind her. He leaned close, his breath brushing her ear, and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
Fleur froze. Her mouth dropped open in shock.
The nerve of this man.
She shot him an angry glare, but Christian simply stepped back with an infuriatingly satisfied smile.
"Come on, kids."
Both children immediately grabbed his hands.
Traitors.
Fleur narrowed her eyes as she watched them walk away together.
Her fingertips brushed the spot on her cheek where he had kissed her. The lingering warmth only irritated her more.
At the doorway, Christian glanced over his shoulder.
"Coming, honey?"
The endearment sounded surprisingly natural coming from him, despite the fact that he had never used such a term for anyone before.
Fleur huffed and followed.
The elevator carried them down to the private parking garage.
When the doors opened, Fleur frowned.
"This isn’t where my car is parked."
Without missing a beat, Christian extended his hand.
"Give me your keys. My driver will take your car and leave it at your apartment."
Fleur hesitated.
"Then how am I supposed to get home?"
"With me." His answer was calm and absolute.
Reluctantly, she placed the keys in his palm.
Christian handed them to his driver along with the address before helping the children into their car seats.
Afterward, he opened the passenger door for Fleur.
She slid inside.
He closed the door, walked around the vehicle, and settled behind the wheel.
As they drove through the streets of Paris, the setting sun painted the city in shades of gold and amber.
Christian occasionally glanced into the rearview mirror.
The twins were chatting nonstop in the backseat, their excitement contagious.
His chest tightened with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.
From the corner of his eye, he stole a look at Fleur.
She sat quietly, gazing out the window, her expression impossible to read.
When they arrived at the mall, Christian parked and turned toward the children.
"We’re here."
The twins practically bounced out of their seats.
Once everyone was out of the car, Chloe immediately grabbed Christian’s hand while Gabriel linked himself to Fleur.
Together, they entered the crowded shopping center.
The mall buzzed with life as locals and tourists filled the corridors.
Their destination was the arcade.
Earlier, Christian had already instructed his assistant to reserve the entire facility, ensuring complete privacy for the outing.
As they approached, a staff member greeted him respectfully.
"Bonsoir, Mr. Wayne. Everything has been prepared according to your request."
"Merci." Christian gave a brief nod.
The moment they stepped inside, the twins’ eyes widened.
Bright neon lights flashed across the room. Laughter mixed with the sounds of arcade machines, racing simulators, and virtual reality attractions.
It was every child’s dream.
While Chloe and Gabriel excitedly planned which games to try first, Christian’s attention drifted toward Fleur.
She still seemed unmoved by him, yet whenever she looked at the children, her face softened with warmth and affection.
Christian released a silent sigh.
Winning over the twins had been easy.
Winning over their mother would be an entirely different battle.
And he suspected it would be the hardest one he had ever fought.
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