A Forced partnership

Victoria approached Alexander and Rachel after exiting her sleek black automobile, her heels clicking across the sidewalk.

Rachel could practically taste the tension in the air as it appeared to build around them. With her eyes darting between Rachel and Alexander, Victoria murmured pleasantly, "Rachel." "What a delightful surprise.

I was unaware that this was a family get-together. As Rachel impulsively put a hand on Odegaard's shoulder and drew him in, her heart raced.

Despite her internal turmoil, she steadfastly defied Victoria's piercing gaze. Alexander's voice broke the silence with a shout "Victoria." "Why are you here?" "I was in the neighborhood," Victoria said with ease and a constant smile.

I wanted to drop over and check on you . You can only imagine how shocked I was to see you at Rachel's door. Rachel's heartbeat skipped.

With her eyes darting to Odegaard with calculating fascination, she could see the storm building behind Victoria's well-preserved exterior. "Mom," Odegaard muttered as he pulled at her sleeve.

"Who is she?" Unsure of how to respond, Rachel hesitated, but Alexander interrupted, lowering himself just enough to meet Odegaard's interested eyes.

Rachel's chest constricted as he softened his voice and stated, "She's just someone I know." Victoria's lips became thinner as she observed the exchange. With a faint edge in her voice, she remarked, "He's a charming little boy."

"What is his name?" With her protective instincts resurfacing, Rachel straightened. "Odegaard," she answered firmly, preventing any more inquiries from coming out of her voice.

Although it did not extend to her eyes, Victoria's smile grew. "A lovely name. It works for him. Rachel's skin crawled at the implied meaning in her tone. She understood Victoria's thought that Odegaard's remarkable likeness to Alexander was not the only thing.

"May I talk to you for a minute?" Victoria's tone suddenly became cold as she asked Alexander. "By myself." Alexander paused and glanced between Victoria and Rachel, making her stomach turn.

She was unable to find the right words to tell him to stay and to reject whatever plan Victoria was coming up with. "Remain with Odegaard, Rachel," Alexander muttered.

"I'll take care of this." At his cool order, Rachel balled her fists, but she made herself nod. In front of her son, now was not the time for a fight.

Victoria and Alexander took a few steps back, just far enough for Rachel to see them but close enough to talk quietly. As Victoria motioned animatedly, her wrath erupting, she could see her flawlessly composed mask crumbling.

"Mom?" Odegaard's question cut through her whirlpool of thoughts. "Is everything all right?" Despite the seething fury inside her, Rachel forced a smile as she bent down to his level.

She whispered, "Everything's fine, sweetheart." "Why don't you enter? I'll be there, right? Odegaard paused, looking into her wide eyes for confirmation.

At last, he gave a nod and vanished inside the home, leaving Rachel to deal with the storm that was building outside her house. --- "Victoria, what are you doing here?" Alexander's voice was forceful but quiet as he requested.

Victoria snapped, her clean exterior faltering, "I should be asking you the same thing." "Alexander, why are you here? You're with her, but why? Alexander's mouth clenched.

"This is not about us". It has to do with business. "Business," she said, laughing bitterly. "Do you now call it that? Because it appears much more intimate from my perspective.

His imposing bulk overshadowed her as he stepped closer. "You have no idea what you're saying." "Oh, but I do," she responded in a poisonous tone. "I've observed how you look at her. Alexander, you are not deceiving anyone. She only needed his silence as confirmation.

A sneer formed on Victoria's lips. "All right. Keep your spouse in mind while you play your little game. And don't even consider the possibility that I'll allow her to enter and steal what belongs to me.

Her shoes clicked fiercely against the pavement as she twisted on her heel and made her way back to her car.

As she drove off, leaving a cloud of tension in her wake, she didn't even look at Rachel. --- Alexander's face was unprecise as he turned back to Rachel. Trying to keep her cool, she crossed her arms.

"What was it she said?" Despite the fury raging inside of her, Rachel asked in a firm voice. Alexander answered, "Nothing that matters," but his voice was tense, which betrayed him.

With frustration rising to the surface, Rachel shook her head. "This is the main reason I didn't want you to become involved. Alexander, you're facing complex situations. That shouldn't affect either Odegaard's or my life.

He stated firmly, "Rachel, I'm not leaving." It won't work if you try to push me away. Not now. Rachel started to fight, but she was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing.

Her stomach dropped as she looked at the screen. Henry was the one. She turned her back on Alexander and shakily answered the phone. "Now is not a good time, Henry—" Henry interrupted in an agitated tone, "Rachel."

"We must speak. There's a major issue at hand. With her heart racing, she questioned, "What is it?" He said, "I can't explain over the phone." "As soon as you can, come see me at work." With her thoughts racing, Rachel hung up the phone.

She looked back at Alexander, who was observing her with interest and worry. "Is everything all right?" His tone softened as he inquired.

"No," she said, her barriers briefly collapsing. "But I'll take care of it." Alexander was left standing alone on the doorstep as she returned inside without saying anything else. --- Odegaard was inside, leafing through a book while seated on the couch.

As she walked in, he looked up, a smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Is everything alright, Mom?" he inquired. Rachel ruffled his hair and nodded.

"Everything is good, my love. Why don't you prepare for sleep? I'll be up shortly to tuck you in. Rachel leaned against the wall, her thoughts racing as Odegaard scampered off.

She felt as though she would lose her cool under the pressure of Victoria's visit, Alexander's presence, and Henry's mysterious call.

She couldn't allow it, though. Not right now. --- Alexander saw Rachel's silhouette vanish behind the curtains while he remained outdoors.

A mixture of longing and frustration squeezed his chest. He took his phone out and dialed a number he hadn't used for years.

He recognized the voice when the telephone connected. “How may I assist you, Mr. Sterling?” With a firm voice, Alexander said, "I need you to look into someone." She goes by the name"Rachel Green."