Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce!-Chapter 179

Kael’s POV

The paper bag in my hand was still warm.

I’d stopped at that Italian place Aria mentioned once. Months ago. In passing. The one she said made the best lasagna she’d ever tasted but could never afford to order from.

I remembered.

Of course I remembered.

I remembered everything she said. Every offhand comment. Every small detail she let slip about her life.

Standing in her doorway now, looking at her face, I could see the exact moment she recognized what I was holding.

Her eyes widened slightly. Her lips parted.

"You didn’t have to—"

"I wanted to." The words came out rougher than I intended.

Because it was true.

I wanted to be here. Wanted to show up at her door with food she loved. Wanted to see that look on her face—surprise mixed with something softer. Something that made my chest tight.

"I thought you’d be busy." Her voice was careful. Like she was testing the waters. "With the case. The follow-up. All the legal things that happen after a tribunal."

I shrugged. "Damon’s handling it."

"Damon?"

"He’s perfectly capable." I stepped into the apartment. Set the bag on the counter. "And I decided I’d rather be here."

Her face did that thing. That soft, vulnerable thing that made every protective instinct I had roar to life.

"With you," I added. Quieter. "With you and the girls."

The apartment looked different.

String lights draped over the bookshelf and windows. Casting everything in warm, golden light. The candle on the coffee table. The carefully arranged throw pillows. The snack plate that looked untouched.

"Mommy made it pretty!" Lina announced from behind me. "We all worked really hard! We hung lights and everything!"

I turned.

Two girls stood side by side near the window.

Lina with her usual boundless energy. Practically vibrating with excitement.

And Lilith.

Quieter. More reserved. But watching me with those amber eyes that were so much like Finn’s it was jarring.

"It looks good," I said. Meaning it. "Really good."

Lina beamed.

Lilith’s expression didn’t change much. But something in her posture relaxed. Just slightly.

I pulled containers from the bag. Lasagna. Garlic bread. That salad Aria always ordered when we went out.

"You remembered." Her voice was soft. Almost wondering.

"Of course I remembered."

She looked at me. Really looked at me. Like she was seeing something new.

Then she smiled.

Small. Genuine. The kind of smile that made everything else fade into background noise.

I wanted to kiss her. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Right there. Right then. In front of the girls and the string lights and the carefully arranged snack plate.

But before I could moveâ€"before I could even think about closing the distance between usâ€"Lina’s voice cut through the moment.

"Today there might not be a place for you to stay, you know!"

I blinked. Turned to look at her.

She was grinning. That mischievous grin that meant she knew exactly what she was saying.

"What?"

"Sophie’s coming!" She announced it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And she’s going to sleep here! For DAYS! Maybe a whole WEEK!"

Aria laughed. Actually laughed.

The sound was bright. Easy. The kind of laugh that didn’t happen often enough.

"She’s right," Aria said. Still smiling. "Sophie will be here any minute. And she’ll probably take the couch. So..." She gestured vaguely. "Lina’s technically correct. There might not be room for you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Might not?"

"Definitely not," Lina corrected. Very serious now. Very matter-of-fact. "Unless you want to sleep on the floor. But the floor is hard. And cold. And not very comfortable."

"I appreciate the warning."

"You’re welcome!"

Aria was still smiling. That soft, amused expression that made her whole face light up.

I opened my mouth to respond. To say something clever or charming or—

"ARIA!!!"

The shout came from the hallway.

Loud. Enthusiastic. Full of pure, unfiltered joy.

"BABE!! I’M HERE!!"

Footsteps pounded up the stairs. Fast. Getting closer.

"I’M COMING! DON’T START WITHOUT ME!"

I turned toward the door.

A figure appeared in the doorway.

Blonde hair pulled into a messy ponytail. Bright blue eyes. Wearing jeans and an oversized sweater. A duffel bag slung over one shoulder.

She was grinning. That wide, genuine grin of someone who was exactly where they wanted to be.

"ARIA!" She threw her arms wide. "OH MY GOD I MISSED YOU SO—"

She stopped.

Mid-sentence. Mid-gesture. Mid-everything.

Because she’d just noticed me.

Standing in the middle of Aria’s living room. Holding an empty takeout bag. Looking very much like I belonged here.

Her expression changed instantly.

The grin disappeared. Replaced by something sharp. Assessing.

Her eyes narrowed.

She looked me up and down. Slow. Deliberate. Taking in every detail.

The expensive jacket. The carefully styled hair. The way I was standing just a little too close to Aria.

Then her gaze locked onto mine.

And her whole face hardened.

"Bastard Alpha?"

The words came out flat. Cold. Dripping with barely contained hostility.

She dropped her bag. Planted her feet. Crossed her arms.

"Huh?"