TWENTY THREE_GHOST OF THE PAST
The dining room in the DeLuca mansion was large and elegant, with a long table that could easily seat twenty people.
But this morning, only three seats were occupied.
Alexander sat at the head of the table.
Aiden sat beside him.
And across from them was Alexander’s mother.
She was a graceful woman with sharp eyes that missed nothing. Unlike the cold, intimidating atmosphere that surrounded Alexander, she carried a warm and gentle presence.
She smiled at Aiden kindly.
“Did you sleep well, dear?”
Aiden nodded politely.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Alexander sighed.
“Mother, stop making him nervous.”
She gave her son an unimpressed look.
“Alexander, if he’s nervous, it’s probably because you scare half the world.”
Aiden tried not to laugh.
Alexander noticed.
“You’re enjoying this a little too much, kitten.”
Mrs. DeLuca chuckled softly.
“I like him,” she said.
Aiden blinked.
“Really?”
“Of course. I met you once before, remember?”
Aiden nodded slowly.
That day had been brief, but he remembered her kindness clearly.
Before the conversation could continue—
One of Alexander’s guards suddenly rushed into the room.
His face was tense.
“Boss.”
Alexander immediately noticed the urgency.
“What is it?”
The guard hesitated.
“There’s someone at the gate.”
Alexander leaned back slightly.
“And?”
The guard swallowed.
“He says you’ll recognize him.”
Something in the man’s tone made the room feel colder.
Alexander’s eyes darkened.
“What’s his name?”
The guard answered quietly.
“…Marco Rossi.”
The fork slipped from Aiden’s hand.
Even he had heard that name before.
Marco Rossi.
A dangerous figure from the past.
Someone Alexander had once trusted.
And someone who had later betrayed him.
Alexander’s expression became unreadable.
His mother frowned slightly.
“I thought he disappeared years ago.”
“So did I,” Alexander replied calmly.
Aiden looked at him nervously.
“…Why is he here?”
Alexander stood slowly.
His voice was calm, but there was steel underneath it.
“Because men like Marco don’t come back unless they want something.”
He turned toward the door.
“Bring him in.”
The guard nodded and hurried out.
Aiden’s chest tightened.
“Alexander…”
Alexander glanced back