Dear Ex-Wife Please Be Mine Again (Christina and Alex) novel Chapter 22

Alexander POV.

The conference room was tense, filled with the buzz of high-stakes negotiations and the hum of serious discussions. My team and I were in the middle of a crucial meeting, grappling with the final details of a multi-million-dollar deal. I was leaning forward, laser-focused, when the door swung open with a sharp clack. James, my PA, entered with an urgency that cut through the room like a knife.

“Mr. Alistair,” James said, his voice firm yet slightly strained. “Christiana Davis and the children are here. They want to see you.”

The words hit me like a jolt of electricity. My mind raced, momentarily derailed from the business at hand. Christiana and the kids. Here? I struggled to process the sudden shift in focus.

“Cancel the meeting,” I said abruptly, my tone brooking no argument. “We’ll reconvene tomorrow.”

The room erupted in quiet murmurs of confusion and disappointment, but I was already out of my chair, smoothing my suit with a practiced hand. I glanced at James, who was waiting patiently.

“How do I look?” I asked, my voice betraying a hint of the nerves I was trying to suppress.

“You look great, sir,” James replied with a reassuring nod. “I’ll bring them into your office.”

I nodded, feeling anticipation and anxiety swirling in my chest. I straightened my tie and paced the floor of my office, trying to force a calm demeanor. Each step seemed to echo with the weight of what was to come.

As the door opened, I looked up to see Christiana standing there. For a moment, everything else seemed to fall away. Christiana was as striking as ever, her presence commanding attention even without a word. Her beauty was a sharp, painful reminder of what I’d lost. Behind her were Ethan and Emma, looking a bit out of place but undeniably curious.

“Mr. Alistair,” Christiana began, her voice steady but laced with a forced politeness. “The kids wanted to see you.”

I rose from my chair, my gaze locked on Christiana. Her expression was a masterclass in restraint, but I could see the effort it took to maintain it. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else, but her kids’ beaming faces kept her there.

“Christiana,” I said, my voice betraying my attempt to remain composed. “It’s good to see you. Please, come in.”

I gestured to the seating area, trying to appear as welcoming as possible despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Christiana hesitated, her eyes flicking to the kids before she took a seat with an almost imperceptible sigh. Ethan and Emma, however, seemed more than eager to engage.

“Thank you for coming,” I said, addressing the kids with a warmth I hoped would bridge the gap between us. “I’m glad to finally meet you both.”

Ethan, ever the articulate one, spoke first. “We’ve been waiting to meet you. Mommy said you’ve been very busy, but we’re glad you sent us gifts.”

“Yes,” Emma chimed in, her voice softer but equally sincere. “The toys are really nice. Thank you.”

I felt a pang of guilt mixed with relief. At least the kids were appreciative. I managed a smile, feeling a tiny spark of hope that this meeting could be a step towards something positive.

“Of course,” I said, offering them each a seat next to me. “I’m glad you liked the gifts. I hope they’ve made things a little brighter for you.”

Christiana sat down, her posture rigid. She looked like she was fighting to keep her composure, and I couldn’t help but notice the faint lines of exhaustion and frustration etched on her face. Despite her best efforts, her dislike for me was evident. I knew I had a lot to atone for, but I couldn’t let that show in front of the kids.

Ethan and Emma seemed to settle into their seats, though their eyes kept darting between their mother and me. I focused on them, trying to keep the conversation light.

“So,” I began, “how have you two been? School going well?”

Ethan nodded vigorously. “It’s good. I’m doing well in math. Emma’s doing art. Mommy’s been helping us a lot.”

“That’s great to hear,” I said, genuinely interested. “I’d love to hear more about what you’re working on.”

As the conversation continued, I noticed Christiana’s eyes flitting around the room, clearly uncomfortable. Every time she spoke, it was with a sharp edge that she tried to mask with a veneer of civility. Her sarcasm was thinly veiled, and it was clear she was only here for the kids’ sake.

“This must be quite a spectacle for you,” she said, her tone clipped. “I imagine it’s not every day you have your ex-wife and kids show up at your office.”

I tried to mask my hurt with a smile. “It’s not, but I’m glad you came. It means a lot to me.”

Christiana’s lips tightened into a thin line, but she said nothing. I could feel the tension crackling in the air between us. It was evident, like a storm on the horizon that refused to break. I tried to focus on the kids, hoping to create a positive atmosphere despite the undercurrents of animosity.

“So, Ethan,” I said, turning my attention to him, “what’s your favorite subject in math?”

Ethan’s eyes lit up as he started talking about algebra and fractions with a surprising enthusiasm. “I really like solving equations. It’s like a puzzle that you have to figure out. Mommy says I’m very good at it.”

“That’s impressive,” I said, genuinely interested. “Maybe you can show me some of your tricks sometime.”

Emma, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. “I’m working on a big art project. Mommy says it’s really good, but I want to make sure it’s perfect before I show it to anyone.”