Chapter 264: The Weekend Getaway

That Saturday morning, Kristoff arrived at The Horizon earlier than expected.

The private resort was already bathed in the soft golden light of early morning. Beyond the manicured gardens, the sea stretched endlessly toward the horizon, its surface shimmering beneath the rising sun.

A cool ocean breeze carried the faint scent of salt and damp earth through the rows of villas.

As the vehicle rolled along the private road, Kristoff’s gaze drifted toward Villa Number 4.

His expression immediately hardened.

Charlotte’s villa.

The last time he stepped through those doors had been only a few days after their engagement.

Back then, he believed he was building a future with her.

Now, he couldn’t even bring himself to look at the villa for too long.

The property was his engagement gift to Charlotte.

A very expensive one.

The deed had already been transferred into her name, making it legally hers. Taking it back after their breakup would have been petty—and Kristoff refused to stoop to that.

Besides, he had decided to regard the villa as compensation for the relationship that had ended so badly.

His gaze moved away.

Villa Number 4 belonged to Charlotte.

Villa Numbers 2 and 3 belonged to Morgan.

Kristoff had kept Villa Number 1 for himself.

The remaining forty-seven villas had been purchased by some of Novare’s wealthiest and most influential families, making The Horizon one of the most exclusive private retreats in the country.

It was the kind of place where privacy wasn’t simply a luxury.

It was part of the price.

A burst of cheerful babbling pulled Kristoff from his thoughts.

Alexander was wide awake.

The little boy kicked his legs excitedly, his tiny arms flailing as though he was determined to escape the moment someone tried to hold him still.

One of the nannies struggled to keep him settled.

Kristoff couldn’t help smiling.

"You can take him to the beach," he said. "The sun is still low. It’s a good time for him to get some fresh air."

"Yes, sir."

One of the nannies immediately adjusted her hold on Alexander, while the other carried a big bag full of baby necessities.

Two security guards followed a few steps behind, keeping a discreet but watchful distance.

Alexander responded to the change of scenery with another delighted squeal, his little legs kicking harder.

Kristoff watched them head toward the beach.

For a moment, the troubles waiting for him—Pollus Corporation, Marco, Charlotte, and the increasingly complicated relationships surrounding his family—seemed far away.

Kristoff carried his things upstairs to the master bedroom.

The moment he stepped inside, the first thing that caught his attention was the glass door leading to the balcony.

He walked toward it and slid the door open.

A warm sea breeze immediately brushed against his face.

He inhaled deeply and felt refreshed.

From the balcony, he had an unobstructed view of the beachfront below. The morning sun had climbed just high enough to turn the water into a sheet of glittering silver.

Then he noticed the people gathered along the shore.

A family.

The Fosters.

Julian and Leanne stood together near the water, holding hands like they were still young lovers. Kristoff was surprised that the parents came along too.

Kristine and Isobel each carried a child in their arms. Three nannies followed close behind, burdened with baby bags, blankets, bottles, and everything else the children might need.

And then there was Morgan.

The usually intimidating CEO was holding up his phone, completely absorbed in taking pictures.

He actually looked... happy.

There was no trace of the cold, commanding CEO who could silence an entire boardroom with a single look.

There, standing barefoot on the sand with his family gathered around him, Morgan simply looked like a husband and a father enjoying his time.

They looked like a picture-perfect family on a weekend getaway—laughing, carrying their children, teasing one another, and completely at ease in each other’s company.

Kristoff’s chest tightened.

He didn’t know why the sight affected him so deeply.

Perhaps it was because he had never really had something like that.

He had grown up surrounded by wealth, power, and people who carried the Dalton name with pride. He had never lacked anything money could provide.

But somehow, standing alone on the balcony, he realized there was one thing he had never been able to buy.

That kind of warmth.

That effortless sense of belonging.

His eyes followed Isobel as she laughed while holding one of the children. Julian stood beside Leanne. Kristine leaned closer to them, smiling.

No one seemed out of place. Everyone belonged.

Kristoff swallowed.

For a fleeting moment, an ache he couldn’t explain settled deep inside him.

He wanted that. Not the mansion, not the wealth. Not another successful company.

He wanted to come home and find people who were genuinely happy to see him.

He wanted laughter filling a house.

He wanted children running toward him.

He wanted someone beside him who wasn’t there because of an engagement, an arrangement, or an obligation.

He wanted a family that was his because they chose him—and because he chose them.

Kristoff lowered his gaze.

The realization embarrassed him.

He had spent years chasing success, convinced that once he had enough power and wealth, everything else would eventually fall into place.

But watching the Fosters together, he suddenly wondered if he had been chasing the wrong thing all along.

His fingers tightened around the balcony railing.

Then Alexander’s laughter drifted up from the beach.

Kristoff’s head snapped toward the sound.

His son was there, smiling at the nanny as she carried him toward the water.

Then, he saw Isobel excitedly walk toward Alexander.

Something softened inside him.

Perhaps...

Perhaps he wasn’t as far away from having a family of his own as he thought.

Kristoff remained by the balcony railing, watching them.

There was something almost strangely peaceful about the scene.

Julian leaned toward Leanne as they spoke. One of the children kicked excitedly in Kristine’s arms, and she laughed as she adjusted her hold.

Morgan immediately raised his phone again.

Another picture.

For a moment, Kristoff simply watched.

Something unfamiliar tightened inside his chest.

Envy.

He didn’t want to admit it, but he envied Morgan.

His family looked so... complete.

Not perfect. Not without problems.

But together.

They had each other.

Kristoff’s gaze lingered on Isobel who was back with them, with Alexander in her arms.

She looked completely at ease among them, as though she had always belonged there.

A strange emptiness settled inside him.

He had wealth.

A powerful family.

A successful company.

A future most people could only dream of.

Yet, standing alone on the balcony and watching the Fosters laugh together on the beach, he suddenly realized how different those things were from having a family that simply wanted to be together.

His fingers tightened around the balcony railing.

For the first time in a long while, Kristoff wondered what it would feel like to have something like that.

Not an engagement arranged by expectation.

Not a relationship held together by obligation.

Just...

A family.

His family.