Chapter 3 THE MAN WHO HAD EVERYTHING

Alexander Hayes hated being disturbed when he was working.

Unfortunately, his mother had never cared about that rule.

"Alexander."

He kept his eyes on the documents in front of him.

"Alexander Hayes."

"I'm listening, Mother."

"Then look at me when I'm speaking to you."

He finally raised his head.

Margaret Hayes stood in front of his desk, holding a small handbag. She was an elegant woman in her late fifties, always dressed neatly and never afraid to speak her mind.

"Good morning to you too," he said.

"Don't start."

A small smile appeared on his face. "I haven't said anything yet."

Margaret shook her head and sat down.

"We need to discuss your wedding."

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

"Again?"

"Yes, again. Your wedding is approaching, and you are behaving as if someone else is getting married."

"I have a company to run."

"And you have a fiancée."

"Victoria knows I'm busy."

"Victoria is not the problem. You are."

He looked at her for a moment before returning his attention to his laptop.

Margaret sighed.

"Sometimes I wonder whether you understand what marriage means."

"It means sharing your life with someone."

"Exactly. And that requires more than signing papers and attending ceremonies."

Alexander closed his laptop.

"Mother, I agreed to marry Victoria. What else do you want from me?"

"I want you to look happy about it."

He didn't answer immediately.

Margaret studied his face.

"Do you love her?"

Alexander's expression remained calm.

"She's a good woman."

"That wasn't my question."

Before he could respond, his office door opened.

Daniel walked in without knocking.

"Sorry to interrupt this family meeting."

Alexander gave him an annoyed look.

"You have a strange habit of entering rooms without permission."

Daniel ignored him and greeted Margaret.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hayes."

"Good morning, Daniel. Please tell my son that getting married is not a business transaction."

Daniel looked between them.

"Honestly, I don't want to get involved in this."

"Wise decision," Alexander said.

Margaret stood up and adjusted her handbag.

"Just remember, Alexander. A wedding can be planned, but a marriage needs effort."

She walked towards the door.

"And please don't forget dinner at the house this weekend. Your father expects you."

"I'll try."

"Don't try. Come."

She left before he could argue.

Daniel waited until the door closed.

"Your mother is becoming more frightening than your board of directors."

Alexander opened his laptop again.

"At least my board knows when to leave my office."

Daniel laughed and took the chair opposite him.

"So, how is the future husband?"

"Busy."

"That bad?"

Alexander gave him a warning look.

Daniel raised both hands.

"Alright. I'll behave."

He picked up a file from the desk.

"By the way, Victoria called earlier. She wants you to meet her at the wedding venue this afternoon."

"What for?"

"Apparently, there is a problem with the flower arrangements."

Alexander stared at him.

"She called me about flowers?"

"Don't look at me. I didn't choose the flowers."

Alexander rubbed his forehead.

"Tell her I'll meet her."

Daniel nodded.

"Good. Maybe she'll finally stop calling me to find out where you are."

Alexander gave a quiet laugh.

For a moment, the conversation moved back to business.

But when Daniel mentioned the wedding again, Alexander's attention drifted.

He wasn't unhappy.

He wasn't particularly excited either.

He simply felt that his life had become a series of responsibilities, meetings, and expectations.

And he had become very good at fulfilling them.

---

Victoria Sinclair stood near the entrance of the wedding venue when Alexander arrived.

She wore a cream-coloured dress and held a tablet in one hand.

"There you are," she said, walking towards him.

"Sorry I'm late."

"Only twenty minutes."

He glanced at his watch.

"That's not too bad."

Victoria smiled, though she clearly wasn't amused.

She showed him pictures of the decorations she had selected.

"I was thinking of changing the flowers near the entrance. These ones look better."

Alexander studied the pictures.

"They're fine."

"Fine?"

"They look good, Victoria."

She lowered the tablet.

"Sometimes I wish you would get excited about something."

"I am excited."

"About what?"

He looked around the beautifully decorated hall.

"The fact that the wedding won't be held in my office."

Victoria stared at him before laughing softly.

"You're impossible."

"That's what Daniel says."

She slipped her hand into his.

"Come on. I want to show you something else."

Alexander followed her.

To everyone watching, they looked like the perfect couple.

A wealthy businessman and a beautiful woman who would soon become his wife.

Nobody could have guessed that, five years earlier, a little boy had been born who carried Alexander Hayes's face.

And Alexander had no idea.

Not yet.