Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maia and Alex) novel Chapter 164

~Alex’’s POV~

The days stretched out like an endless desert. Time, once a steady companion, had become a relentless tormentor. I'd gone from being the king of my world to a prisoner of it. Over these past months, the world had shrunk to the size of this cell. I'd learned that even with power at your fingertips, life could still knock you down.

Ivan had played his cards close to his chest. I'd underestimated him, thinking I’d ended the game when I ended his life. But his plans, carefully laid, were like a time bomb I hadn’t defused. Adrian, that backstabbing leech, had seized the opportunity to take over my company. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

Hours turned into days, days into weeks. I stopped counting. There was no point. All that mattered were the moments I’d spend with Amaya and the kids. It was a long road to get here. Ivy, my little firecracker, had slowly warmed up to me. I think it was my beard. She’d giggle and tug at it, saying I looked like a beast from her stories. It was the first time she'd touched me without fear. Being called a beast didn’t matter in that moment.

Nate was different. Quiet, watchful, like a young hawk. His eyes always seemed to be asking questions without making a sound. But I think he found his answers in just watching.

And Amaya. Every time I saw her, she was like a sunrise, a new kind of beauty. It was hard to believe she was the same woman I’d left behind but she was a master of deception. She’d put on a brave face for the kids, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. I could see the worry gnawing at her, hidden beneath the surface. Every visit ended with the same promise: she was getting closer, she'd get me out. I wished she'd stop. She was burning herself out. With all my resources, I couldn’t escape this place, what chance did she have? I’d accepted my fate, but at least I had them to visit.

I’d done a lot of bad things. Maybe this was karma, paying my dues like my father. Thinking about him brought back the day of the battle. For once, he’d acted like a real father. His death hurt, a wound that wouldn’t heal. Damon Thorne, the architect of my misery, was dead. I hadn’t forgiven him, but maybe one day I would. As a final act of closure, I’d asked for his body to be found and buried next to my mother. Maybe their souls would sync and he would finally apologize for all that he had done, all the misery he put her thought and maybe together, they could find peace.

Amaya had also asked for a proper burial for Miranda. She was a victim, a broken soul caught in the crossfire. That is what she had said and she hoped she'd found peace wherever she was.

All of that?

It all led to this moment. Standing before the judge, I felt a strange sense of peace. A word with only five letters, but it held the weight of the world. I'd lost my freedom, but in the chaos, I'd found myself. I could break out of this prison, my mind had raced with the idea for months. An idea fueled by my wolf who had been relentless to break free. But for the first time in my life, I wanted to do the right thing. I wasn't responsible for the mass murders, but I was responsible for deaths.

Maybe this was my penance.

Amaya hadn't given up. She was here again, fighting for me. But I knew the outcome. Guilty. The room would fall silent, and I'd accept my fate.

But then he said, "Not guilty."

The words hung in the air, a fog in my brain. The slam of his gavel brought me back to reality. Not guilty. I was free. I stood frozen, unable to process it. Then, two tiny bodies crashed into me, Ivy and Nate. Amaya came up behind them, tears streaming down her face. "We did it," she whispered.

No, she did it. I held my children tight, the first tear escaping my eye.

I was free.

Amaya turned her head towards the door, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and happiness. "You have to walk out that door, Alex," she said softly. I took a deep breath, the reality of the moment sinking in. I wanted to be with my family, with them. All eyes were on me. I steadied the twins in my arms and took the first step.