TWENTY_UNWELCOME GUESTS
The mansion was quiet that afternoon.
Aiden sat in the living room, curled up on one side of the long sofa with a book in his hands. Reading had always been his escape whenever his thoughts became too heavy.
Across from him, Alexander sat at the large table, reviewing some documents. Even while working, his sharp eyes occasionally drifted toward Aiden.
Without warning, the front doors opened.
One of the guards stepped inside.
“Boss.”
Alexander didn’t look up immediately.
“What is it?”
“Two visitors are outside asking to see you.”
Alexander finally raised his head.
“I’m not expecting anyone.”
The guard hesitated before speaking.
“They… said they know you. And they asked for Mr. Aiden as well.”
Aiden slowly lowered his book.
A strange feeling crept into his chest.
“Who are they?” Alexander asked.
Before the guard could answer—
Two women walked into the mansion.
The moment Aiden saw them, his heart dropped.
His stepmother.
And his stepsister.
The same sister who had run away on the wedding day.
But the moment they saw Alexander, their confident expressions disappeared.
Fear replaced it immediately.
The stepsister grabbed her mother’s arm slightly.
Alexander stood up slowly.
His tall figure and calm expression made the room feel colder.
“Well,” he said calmly, “this is interesting.”
The two women immediately bowed their heads slightly in respect.
“Mr. DeLuca,” Aiden’s stepmother said nervously.
Aiden noticed something strange.
They were scared.
Very scared.
Alexander folded his arms.
“I didn’t expect to see either of you again.”
The stepsister looked pale.
“We… we came to apologize,” the stepmother said quickly.
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
“Apologize?”
She nodded quickly.
“Yes. What happened at the wedding was… very unfortunate.”
Alexander’s gaze slowly shifted to the girl.
“You ran away.”
The girl swallowed nervously.
“Yes.”
Alexander’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Do you know how many business deals were affected that day?”
The girl couldn’t even meet his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mr. DeLuca.”
Alexander let out a quiet chuckle.
It wasn’t a friendly sound.
Then his gaze moved toward Aiden.
Aiden stiffened slightly.
The stepmother followed Alexander’s gaze and finally looked at Aiden.
Her expression was complicated.
For years she had treated him like he was invisible.
But now…
Now he was standing in Alexander DeLuca’s house.
She cleared her throat.
“Aiden… we came to see you too.”
Aiden didn’t reply.
Alexander noticed.
His voice turned calm but firm.
“Why?”
The stepmother quickly answered.
“We heard that the marriage was completed.”
Alexander nodded slightly.
“It was.”
The stepsister looked shocked again when he said it so casually.
“But surely,” the stepmother said carefully, “this situation can be… corrected.”
The room went silent.
Alexander’s eyes slowly narrowed.
“Corrected?”
She forced a nervous smile.
“My daughter was the original bride. If the marriage were to be adjusted, it would benefit everyone.”
The girl nodded quickly.
“Yes. It would be more appropriate.”
Aiden’s fingers tightened slightly.
Of course.
They came to take the position back.
Alexander stared at them for a long moment.
Then he suddenly laughed.
The sound surprised everyone.
When he stopped, his eyes were cold.
“Do you know something funny?”
Neither woman spoke.
“You ran away from the marriage,” Alexander said slowly.
Then he looked at Aiden.
“But your son stayed.”
The stepmother quickly corrected him.
“He’s not—”
Alexander’s voice instantly turned sharp.
“I know.”
The woman fell silent immediately.
Alexander walked toward Aiden.
When he reached him, he placed a hand lightly on his shoulder.
Aiden looked up at him in surprise.
Alexander looked back at the two women.
“The marriage contract has already been fulfilled.”
His voice was calm but powerful.
“Aiden is my husband.”
The stepsister’s face turned red with anger.
“But he’s nothing!” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
The room became deadly quiet.
Alexander’s eyes slowly moved to her.
Fear immediately filled her face.
“You should be careful with your words,” he said quietly.
She quickly lowered her head.
“I’m sorry.”
Alexander didn’t look convinced.
Then he looked at the guards.
“Escort them out.”
The stepmother panicked.
“We didn’t mean any disrespect!”
Alexander’s voice turned colder.
“You already gave your answer when you ran away from the wedding.”
The guards stepped forward.
Neither woman dared to argue.
They were too afraid.
Before leaving, the stepsister glanced at Aiden.
But this time…
There was something new in her eyes.
Jealousy.
The doors closed behind them.
Silence returned.
Aiden stared at the floor.
After a moment, Alexander spoke.
“Kitten.”
Aiden slowly looked up.
Alexander’s expression had softened slightly.
“Are you alright?”
Aiden nodded quietly.
Alexander studied him for a moment before saying something unexpected.
“They feared you before.”
Aiden blinked in confusion.
“What?”
Alexander smirked faintly.
“They feared you because they knew one day you might stand somewhere they couldn’t reach.”
Aiden didn’t know what to say.
Alexander gently tapped his head.
“And look where you are now.”
Aiden felt his face warm slightly.
Alexander turned and walked back to his seat.
But before sitting down, he said casually,
“And if they ever come back…”
His voice turned dangerous again.
“They won’t be welcomed.”
Aiden realized something again in that moment.
The Beast everyone feared…
Had quietly chosen to stand on his side.