Alex pov
The next morning, I walked into the office feeling the weight of the previous night still clinging to me. Emma was on my mind, but today was different. I had business to handle, and unfortunately, my personal life would have to take a backseat—at least for now.
As I stepped into my office, my assistant knocked on the door, her expression tight. "Mr. Volkov, your parents are here to see you. Should I let them in?"
I froze for a moment. **My parents?** They rarely came by the office unannounced, and when they did, it was never just for a casual visit. My jaw tightened, knowing that whatever they were here for couldn't be good.
"Yeah, send them in," I replied, standing and adjusting my suit jacket, mentally preparing for whatever conversation was about to take place.
Moments later, my mother entered first, looking as poised and polished as ever, followed closely by my father. They both had that familiar air of control and command, a presence that had always filled a room. My father's sharp gaze scanned the office before settling on me, while my mother greeted me with a thin smile.
"Alex, darling," my mother said, her voice sweet but laced with an agenda. "We've come to discuss something important. Something we feel is long overdue."
I gestured for them to sit, already feeling a sense of foreboding. "Of course. What brings you both here?"
My father, always direct, didn't waste time. "We want to talk about the future, Alex. Your future. More specifically, about an heir."
An heir. There it was—the conversation I had been dreading for years. My family, especially my father, had been subtly pushing this agenda for a while now, but it seemed they had decided to drop the subtlety today.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "I'm focusing on the company right now. There's plenty of time to talk about that later."
My father's expression hardened. "You're not getting any younger, Alex. The Volkov name must continue, and it's time you start thinking about your legacy—beyond just the business. You've built an empire, but who will inherit it?"
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my irritation in check. "I know my responsibilities, Dad. But this isn't something you can just decide for me."
My mother, sensing the tension, chimed in with a softer tone. "We only want what's best for you, Alex. You've accomplished so much, but family is just as important. We're not asking you to drop everything, just to consider the bigger picture."
I exhaled slowly, the weight of their expectations settling on my shoulders. I had always known this conversation was inevitable, but the timing felt... wrong. Especially now, with everything happening with Emma. My thoughts were tangled in her, in the possibility of us, and the last thing I needed was my parents pressuring me about marriage and children.
"I get it," I said finally, my voice steady but firm. "But right now, I'm focused on the company. Let's revisit this another time."
My father frowned, clearly displeased with my response. My mother gave me a sympathetic look but didn't press further.
After a few more tense moments of silence, my father stood. "Fine. But don't forget, Alex—time waits for no one."
With that, they both left, leaving the heavy air of expectation lingering in the office. I ran a hand over my face, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
As the door closed behind them, I let out a long breath. An heir. A legacy. It was all too much. All I wanted right now was to focus on the present, to see where things would go with Emma, without the weight of my family's demands hanging over me.
For now, that would have to be enough.