On Her Daddy's Bed (Adeline and Luciano) novel Chapter 69

Author’s POV.

Those words echoed in Axel’s mind, resounding in his ears like a relentless drumbeat. He stared at Alex, a look of disbelief clouding his expression.

He could barely process what he had just heard. How could Tracy have that?

The medallion—his mother had given it to him. She had made one for each of them: Alex, his elder brother, and Alexia, his younger sister. But Alexia… she was lost. Swept away by the river, the very river where they had often played.

The memory hit Axel with the force of a thunderclap, dragging up painful recollections he had desperately tried to bury.

He could see it all so clearly—the riverbank, just days after the tragic loss of their parents, when they were forced to burn down their home. Alexia had been playing by the water when disaster struck. In the blink of an eye, she was pulled under.

Before any of them could reach her, she was gone. The last thing Axel had heard was her scream—a cry of terror, one that still haunted his soul. “Axel… Axel, save me…” The words echoed in his ears even now, as if the water itself had swallowed them whole.

Those words struck his heart like lightning, and they never stopped. They drained him, leaving him weak, consumed by guilt. He blamed himself for everything. Blamed himself for encouraging Alexia to go near the river. Blamed himself for failing to save her—again and again.

He was the closest to her. They had done everything together. They had loved each other fiercely, supported each other no matter what. Maybe that was why she had called out to him—because she trusted him, even when their oldest brother Alex had been right there. But he had failed. He had failed her, not once, not twice, but three times.

He had failed to save their parents, who had died in the fire. He had failed to save Alexia when she was taken by the river. And worst of all, he had failed to save Alex, his older brother, who had died in his arms, leaving Axel to face the cruel world alone.

After being expelled from school for his inability to pay tuition, it was Mr. Marco, Alex’s friend, who had stepped in to help. But Axel, determined to make it on his own, eventually pulled away, unwilling to rely on anyone. That’s when he turned to the underworld, becoming a mafia apprentice, and eventually rising to the feared position of mafia lord. His face was unknown to the world, but he ruled with an iron fist. He pursued his education online and earned the certifications his parents had always hoped for—but their absence made it all feel hollow. No one was there to witness his success.

It had been a painful journey, one that had shaped him into the ruthless person he was today. A person who vowed to take revenge on anyone who dared harm him or his family.

But the question still gnawed at him: If Mr. Austin had killed his parents and burned their house, why would he take Alexia in? Could Tracy… could Tracy be Alexia?

The words escaped his lips before he could stop them. Hazel looked at him, confused.

“I’ve known Tracy since I was 10,” she said, breaking the silence.

“Alexia drowned when she was just seven…” Axel’s voice faltered as he turned toward Hazel.

“So, are you trying to say Tracy is Alexia?” Mr. Marco asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Axel nodded. “Yes.”

He turned to Mr. Marco, his gaze heavy. “After Alexia drowned, the fishermen searched the entire river and its banks. They found nothing.”

Alex, standing nearby, watched Axel with a mix of concern and confusion. The helplessness on Axel’s face was palpable, an emotion so raw it made Alex’s chest tighten.

“Are you okay?” Alex’s voice was quiet, but the worry in it was clear.

“No! I am not! I have never felt this attracted to anyone aside from Hazel. It was always Hazel or nothing else. But remember the day I asked why you broke her heart? Even then, I questioned my concern. This isn’t as ordinary as you all make it seem. She could have been rescued by someone and taken to the orphanage, or she could have been taken by them.”

Hazel sighed, taking a step closer to Axel. She placed her hand on his shoulder, rubbing it gently.

Her heart melted even more when he still addressed loving only her, even in critical moments like this.

“You should worry less, Axel, so we can think things through.”

Hazel’s hand on him overwhelmed him with emotions. He pulled her closer, hugging her deeply. The entire room went silent for a while as they both shared that heart-melting hug, leaving Mr. Marco and Alex staring in silence.

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