ALEXANDER
I pushed open the heavy double doors and stepped into the Astor mansion.
My footsteps echoed through the grand foyer as I headed for the sprawling staircase. I didn't come here often because I hated this house almost as much as I hated most of the people in it.
Halfway across the marble floor, I heard the sharp click of heels from above.
Celine Astor appeared at the top of the staircase like a queen descending her throne, elegant, immaculate, silver-streaked dark hair swept into a flawless chignon. The moment her eyes landed on me, surprise flashed across her face, quickly replaced by that familiar, barely concealed disdain she reserved only for me.
I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at her.
Looking at my mother was always like staring at a feminine mirror of myself, the same sharp features, cold blue eyes, but the same calculated grace and I knew it infuriated her that I had inherited so much of her.
"Alexander," she said, voice smooth but edged with ice. "What are you doing here?"
She continued descending slowly until she reached the last step, stopping just above me.
I stepped forward, closing the distance, and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I came to deliver a message," I said calmly. "Tell your beloved golden child Anthony to stay away from my husband. If he approaches Dashiell again, if he even looks at him the wrong way, I will not be as merciful as I was last time."
Her perfectly painted lips pressed into a thin line. She gritted her teeth, eyes flashing with disgust.
"You dare come into my house and threaten your own brother?" she hissed, voice dripping with contempt."After everything you've done? You really are a heartless monster, aren't you?"
I felt nothing.
No anger. No hurt. No guilt.
Just cold, empty amusement.
I tilted my head slightly, the corner of my mouth curling into a slow, empty smirk, completely devoid of warmth.
"Yes, Mother. I am," I continued, as if she hadn't spoken, "If Anthony tries to take what is mine again, I will kill him. Slowly. And the only time you will see your precious son again is when they lower his coffin six feet under."
Her face paled, but she quickly masked it with icy fury.
"I will inform your brother," she spat.
I smiled wider, reached out, and gently took her hand. She stiffened instantly as I lifted it and pressed a soft, mocking kiss to the back of her knuckles.
"Thank you, Mother," I murmured against her skin. "I knew I could count on you."
I released her hand and turned away without another word, walking back toward the entrance with calm, measured steps.
Behind me, I could feel her glare burning into my back.
It meant nothing.
The only thing that mattered was Dashiell but at least now the message had been delivered.
And if Anthony was stupid enough to ignore it… well.
I was looking forward to that.
*****
I smirked as I watched the team of professionals carefully positioning the massive seventy-gallon saltwater aquarium in the corner of Dashiell's bedroom, right beside the large window where soft natural light would filter in without being too harsh.
It was perfect.
Sleek black frame, premium lighting system with customizable spectrum, automated filtration, and a built-in smart monitoring system that would send alerts straight to both our phones if any parameter went off. The tank was already half-filled with carefully prepared water. Live rock was being arranged into a natural reef structure.
I had personally chosen the fish earlier this morning before leaving the hospital.
A pair of elegant angelfish and rasboras (because I remembered him mentioning them), several clownfish, a few royal grammas, and a small group of firefish. Peaceful. Beautiful. Predictable. Exactly what my little anomaly needed to calm that overstimulated brain of his.
I stood with my arms crossed, watching them work with cold satisfaction, I had left the hospital at 2 p.m. without a single fuck given.
As Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, I answered only to the board (and ultimately my father). If I wanted to leave mid-day for "personal reasons," no one dared question it. Let them reschedule the elective cases. Surgeries could be rescheduled and Lives could wait.
Dashiell was more important.
One of the installers stepped back, wiping his hands. "The tank is fully set up, Dr. Astor. We've added the initial livestock and the cleanup crew, snails and hermit crabs. Everything is stable."
I nodded once.
"Good. Now install the second part."
They brought in the custom piece I had ordered, a wide, low floating shelf mounted directly above the aquarium. On it, they carefully placed a top-of-the-line automated feeder, a small underwater camera system, and a soft LED backlight that could be controlled from Dashiell's phone.
I wanted him to be able to watch his fish from bed. To have complete control and to feel safe and ordered in his own space.
When they finally finished and left, I stood alone in the quiet room, staring at the gently glowing tank. The angelfish were already gliding gracefully through the water.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
I could already picture Dashiell's face when he saw it, those wide eyes, the small direct smile he gave when something pleased him, the way his fingers would tap excitedly against his thigh.
He was going to love it.
And even if Anthony and my mother tried to poison his mind against me, this tank would be here every single night. A reminder.
I owned him.
I provided for him.
I knew exactly what he needed.
I glanced at my watch. Dash would be home in a few hours.
Perfect.
I sat down on the edge of his bed, waiting, already imagining how I would take him apart tonight as a proper thank you for accepting my "gift."