Chapter 5 Terms of Engagement.

Daniela stood in the luxurious living room of Alexander's mansion, her arms tightly crossed, her knuckles white from the tension.The silence in the room was deafening,suffocating her with unspoken words.Alexander moved with the pride he possessed,as he reached for something on the nearby table. When he turned, Daniela's eyes immediately caught the gleaming object in his hand- A small velvet box.

The sight of it sent shivers down her spine.A mixture of dread and disbelief swirling in her chest. Her breath hitched as she instinctively took a step back. Her voice, thick with suspicion, broke the tense silence " What is that, Alexander?"

He ignored her, his gaze steady but distant, as if he hadn't held her. Instead, he held the box loosely between his fingers , as though it carried the weight of everything left unsaid between them.

Daniel's heart pounded as she pointed at the box, her mind racing with possibilities ." If you think–----" She stopped herself,swallowing the words that threatened to spill from her lips.

Alexander took a deep breath , setting the box on the glass coffee table between them. The sound of it hitting the surface was so loud , reverbating through the room like a gunshot.Daniela's gaze darted from the box back to him,and suddenly everything clicked to her senses. Her lips parted as realization dawned on her. " Are you suggesting marriage?"

Her questions hung in the air like a challenge.She couldn't belive what she was hearing. After all, She was just a one night stand who had a child with a billionaire . A legitimate marriage? That was not supposed to be part of their arrangement at all. Anger and hurt bubbled up inside her as she folded her arms tighter. Her glare burned into Alexander,her mind racing with unanswered questions. Alexander didn't move an inch from where he was. Instead, he met her gaze staring at her ridiculously. His silence only fueled her frustration, and when he finally spoke , his words landed like a bombshell." I am", he said simply , his tone measured yet thick. Daniela's anger boiled as she looked sharply at the box. " After everything? After walking away when I needed you the most? You think a ring is going to fix what you broke?" Alexander remained calm, his hands sliding into his pockets as he went closer to the table. " This isn't about fixing anything Daniela", he said, his voice low and fierce . " This is about Noah. About giving him the life he deserves". The mention of their son sent shivers down her spine. " Don't you dare use Noah as a pawn in this...proposal", She said. " Because I gave you the privilege to walk into my life does not mean you should start making demands". Alexander moved closer, his eyes giving this vulnerability look . " It's not a demand, Daniela. It's a choice that I'm willing to make for Noah's sake. Daniela laughed out bitterly, her emotions spilling over. She stared at the box again, as if the sight of it mocked her. " A choice? A choice you mean? If not, I came to meet you at that hotel to query you. Would you have looked for me or showed up? Now you are trying to play smart.

Alexander took a deep breath, his hand brushing through his dark hair. " I'm not trying to play anything . I know I failed you before, Daniela. But this isn't about me or you. It's about our son". She took a step closer, her voice trembling as anger and heartbreak melted in her chest. " So you think this is the answer? That a marriage of convenience is going to make up for the years you have missed?" Alexander looked at Daniela out of pity. " I'm not daft enough to think it will erase the past", he said quietly. " But it's a beginning . I can't change what I did, Daniela . But I can give Noah a bright and stable future that he deserves".

The words hung heavy in the air, but Daniela wasn't ready to relent. Not yet. " But what do you want exactly, Alexander?" She demanded, her voice low but steady. " Why now? Why this?" He hesitated , his gaze staring at the box on the table. " Because I can't live with the doubt that I failed you and Noah". Daniela sniffed outside, just for a while. She hated the way his words made her remember the man she once loved. But she couldn't let herself fall for it. Not again.

" And if I agree with this ridiculous idea?" She asked, her tone sharp. " What guarantees me that you wouldn't walk away again?" " Well, you will have a contract", Alexander said without hesitation . " Clear terms. Full custody if it doesn't work. Financial security for you and Noah. Everything will be on your terms, Daniela ". Her breath pained her as she stared at him, The weight of his word sinking in. The room felt too small, heat covering all over her body. She turned her back to him, needing a moment to think things to herself. When she finally spoke,her voice was steady, but her hands trembled . " I'll think about it", she said. " But don't expect me to make this easy for you". Alexander nodded , a show of hope and relief in his face . " That's all I ask".

As Daniela reached the door,She glanced back, her expression unreadable. " I really hope you are serious about your plan, Alexander. Because if you hurt me and my son again.I won't forgive you". With that, she walked out,leaving Alexander standing alone. The sight of the velvet box on the table mocked him and he also reminded him of the fragile hope he clung to.

For the first time in years, he felt uncertain if the man he had become could ever atone for the man he had been. But one thing was clear,this time, he had to change his old ways if not for anything but for their son.