[Music recommendation: Runaway by Aurora]
Mister Alastair clicked his glass, the sharp chime cutting through the chatter. The room hushed, all eyes turning to him.
"Good evening, everyone," he began, his voice steady yet weighted. "It is an honor to have you all here tonight. As you know, this gathering celebrates the partnership between Alastair Group of Companies and Bruce Tech."
Applause erupted, a chorus of polite enthusiasm. Xavier barely reacted, his fingers lightly tapping against the glass in his hand. He had heard Jade's earlier whispers about a big announcement, but he hadn't cared enough to dwell on it.
Mister Alastair raised a hand, waiting for the room to settle again before continuing. His expression shifted—his usual businesslike demeanor softening ever so slightly.
"I also have a personal announcement to make. One that is long overdue."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, curiosity sparking in their eyes. Xavier straightened unconsciously, his grip on the glass tightening. He felt a strange prickle at the back of his neck—an instinct warning him that whatever came next, he wasn't going to like it.
Mister Alastair inhaled deeply, as if bracing himself. "I would like to acknowledge and introduce my first son, Xavier Alastair."
Silence.
Then, a collective gasp.
Xavier's breath caught. He blinked once, twice, his mind sluggishly processing the words.
First son?
A weightless, surreal feeling settled in his chest, as if for a split second the world had tilted off its axis. He barely registered the expressions around him—shock, intrigue, judgment—all merging into an overwhelming blur.
Mister Alastair's gaze sought him out across the room, an unreadable mix of emotions flickering in his eyes. "We've been apart for a while, and I am trying to make amends for not being the father I should have been. I hope you can accept me, son."
Son.
Xavier's jaw clenched.
Whispers spread like wildfire. He could hear them—half-muttered speculation, hushed disbelief, sharp-edged judgments.
And he hated it.
Hated the way they stared at him like he was a spectacle, an unpolished gem suddenly dragged into the light. Hated how his father dared to act as if he had any right to claim him now.
But then...there was something else.
Something deep, buried beneath layers of resentment. A tiny, almost imperceptible flicker of— what? Hope? Longing? Relief?
Disgusted with himself, Xavier shut the thought down.
"Please, come up here, son," Mister Alastair invited, extending his hand.
Every part of Xavier screamed at him to stay rooted, to ignore the man, to let him feel the full weight of rejection.
But he didn't.
And he hated himself for it.
Forcing his expression into something unreadable, he took a step forward. Then another. He didn't rush, didn't falter, his stride confident despite the suffocating stares drilling into him.
When he finally reached the stage, Mister Alastair smiled—a smile that felt like both an apology and a silent plea. "I ask that you treat him with the same respect you would me," he said to the crowd. Then, quieter, just for Xavier, "Thank you."
Xavier didn't respond. Didn't smile, didn't acknowledge the gratitude. He only looked at him—sharp, calculating, unreadable.
Mister Alastair turned to his wife and Jade, beckoning them forward for a family photo.
Jade beamed, practically skipping to his side, her excitement radiating like sunlight. Mrs. Alastair, however, was stiff, her expression carefully blank. She positioned herself next to her husband, standing between them—an intentional barrier.
After a few camera flashes, Jade grinned and, without warning, switched places, sidling up next to Xavier.
"I'm so happy!" she gushed. "I've always wanted a brother."
Xavier's brow twitched.
"It was really suffocating being the only child up until I wasn't," she continued. "And I'm truly glad to have a big bro! Can I call you bro?"
She nudged him playfully, looking up at him with hopeful eyes.
Xavier's gaze flicked down to her, scrutinizing.
"No can do," he said flatly. "Xavier will be just fine."
Jade's grin faltered slightly, but she recovered quickly. "Okay, then. Baby steps," she murmured, deciding not to push her luck.
Gilbert, Damon, and Alexander exchanged glances.
"You think he's fine?" Damon muttered.
"Probably," Gilbert said with a shrug.
Alexander, however, shook his head, his gaze lingering on Xavier. "Given their history, he's probably raging inside for not being consulted before such a big announcement. But…"
"But what?" Damon prompted.
Alexander smirked slightly. "He's keeping himself together because of something—or rather, someone—else."
"Who?"
Alexander didn't answer, leaving them in suspense.
Meanwhile, Xavier felt the walls closing in.
The heat of the crowd's lingering stares burned into his skin. His collar suddenly felt too tight—his shirt constricting, the air too thick to breathe.
Not here.
His fingers twitched slightly, and before the sensation could consume him, he forced a half-smile, gave a polite nod, and excused himself.
As soon as he stepped outside, he ripped open the top buttons of his shirt, sucking in air as though he'd been drowning.
But the relief was short-lived.
His mind flooded with whispers, memories, stares. Judging. Sneering. The unwanted son.
His breath hitched. No. No, not here.
But the panic surged, clawing its way up his throat—
"Xavier."
The voice was calm. Steady. Grounding.
Xavier blinked up to find Alexander watching him, his expression unreadable.
A moment of silence stretched between them before Alexander stepped forward.He had done this before.He knew exactly what to do.
Without a word, he placed a firm hand on Xavier's shoulder, squeezing lightly—anchoring him. He counted breaths, subtle but deliberate, silently guiding Xavier to match the rhythm.
Slowly, Xavier's racing heartbeat steadied.
"Are you okay?" Alexander asked after a moment.
Xavier shot him a glare—one that clearly said, what do you think?
Alexander smirked. "I'll take that as a no."
Xavier sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Thanks," he muttered.
"Anytime."
A beat of silence passed before Alexander said, "So… do you think you can forgive him now?"
Xavier tensed. He turned to Alexander, eyes narrowed.
"For reaching out to your dad," Alexander clarified. "I'm sorry for doing it behind your back, but someone had to."
Xavier didn't answer right away. He exhaled, staring at the night sky.
"My whole life, I wanted a complete family," he admitted, voice quiet. "But when you contacted him, I hated you for it. Not because you did, but because… he didn't. And I felt stupid for hoping. And then—everything started happening so fast, and I didn't know who to blame, so I fucking took it out on you." He hesitated. "And then… Arianna…"
He trailed off.
Alexander didn't press. He only nodded.
"I don't hate you, man," Xavier said eventually. "You're my bro. I just hate that I need you."
Alexander chuckled. "Tough luck. You're stuck with me."
Xavier let out a dry laugh before shifting the topic. "Any updates on your mom?"
Alexander hesitated, then exhaled. "Got a lead. She was spotted in LA."
"And?"
"And I'm scared," Alexander admitted. "What if it's not her? What if it is, but her reason for leaving is bullshit? What if I end up hating her?"
Xavier huffed a laugh. "Funny how we both spent our lives chasing parents who never looked back."
Alexander smiled faintly.
Xavier clapped a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her. And when we do, you'll get your answers."
For now, they headed back inside.