Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother-Chapter 396: The Gun In Aiden’s Hand

Once inside the room, Serena sat on the couch calmly as she looked at Alexander. "He had to choose Aiden."

"At least he agreed to some compromise," Alexander said as he sat next to her. "With both kids here, it would’ve been truly difficult to take them away."

Serena could only hum and said with worry, "But until we plan our escape, Aiden will be here, and I’m worried about what might happen to him during that time. I can’t keep him here—not with your father."

"I’ll be with Aiden and take care of him," Alexander assured.

Serena shook her head. "Looking at your father, I can tell he won’t even let you be around your son." She sighed helplessly and buried her face in her palms. "Aiden can do anything when provoked, and I don’t know what your father will make him do. I can’t keep him here."

"Then, I’ll stay in place of Aiden, Mom," a little voice said.

The parents looked toward the bed, where the little boy, Aaron, was sitting up. He seemed to have heard everything.

"Aaron?" Serena mumbled and rushed to him. Aiden was still in a deep sleep due to the medicine.

"Mom, I’ll stay here as Aiden till you come back for me," Aaron assured. "No one can tell the difference between us, and I’m used to acting like Aiden when needed. Remember? We’ve done it before. You taught us to never let anyone know who is who, and we’ve always followed it."

Serena had taught her sons to never let anyone tell them apart, and both kids were skilled at it. Occasionally, only Aiden would reveal his identity due to his anger issues—but those were rare moments.

She sat on the bed and hugged him. "I know. But it’s dangerous here—unlike in your school or outside. I love you both equally, and I don’t want either of you in danger. If that man finds out you’re not Aiden..."

Aaron looked up at her. "Mom, trust me. I promise I won’t let him know. If Aiden stays here, it won’t be good for him. I’m the elder brother, but I won’t be able to protect him if I’m not with him. It’ll break my promise to you."

Serena helplessly looked at her son, who suddenly seemed like he had grown up overnight.

"Mom, trust me."

She looked at Alexander, who said, "Let’s do it."

Serena looked at both her sons with worried eyes. They would have to talk about it again once Aiden was awake.

----

Once Aiden was awake, Serena calmly explained to him how Aaron was going to stay here, and until then, he should do his best not to get angry and contribute to their usual game as perfectly identical twins—making sure no one could spot the difference.

"That old man is annoying. I can’t let Aaron stay with him," Aiden declared. "I can stay here till Mom takes me away."

"Aiden, you have to be with Mom. She needs you more," Aaron said. "You know I’m Daddy’s boy, so I’ll stay with him, and you stay with Mom. You need to protect her."

Aiden looked at his mother, who seemed speechless, unsure of what to say to both kids who were acting so brave. Aiden could do anything for his mother.

He looked back at Aaron. "Alright."

"We have to make sure no one finds out the truth. You can’t get angry about anything at all while you’re here," Aaron said. "Tomorrow, you’re leaving with Mom, so hold back until then."

Aiden pressed his lips into a thin line. He knew it would be difficult, but he nodded.

Serena was relieved that Aiden agreed though she felt bad for Aaron. But at this moment, it was the right decision if she wanted good for her kids. Aaron was more matured and knew what to do, while Aiden was prone to consumed by anger.

Alexander held her hand and comforted her.

----

It was evening when both kids came downstairs. Aeldric was outside in the garden, having an important discussion with his people. Alexander was there as well.

Once the servant informed him that the two kids were out, he ordered them to be brought to him.

"Father, you can talk to them later. You’re discussing weapons," Alexander said.

The old man smirked. "At their age, you were already holding a gun. Let them get familiar with what we do—makes it easier to adapt." He looked at the servant. "Go bring them."

The servant nodded, and soon the two kids were brought to him.

"My boys, come here," the old man said.

Aaron and Aiden had decided not to cause any trouble, so both of them went to Aeldric, who was sitting in a chair around a huge wooden table. Various small and large guns were displayed on it.

The old man pointed at the table. "Look at these guns. One day, you’ll both have to use them. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?"

The two brothers simply looked at the guns.

"Why don’t you check them out?" the old man asked. "They’re fully loaded. If you want, you can try shooting for fun."

"Aaron, Aiden, stay away," a woman’s cold voice interrupted. Serena had rushed over the moment she learned her kids were taken while she was talking with Marina.

The kids immediately obeyed their mother, which only angered Aeldric.

"What are you doing here?" Aeldric asked her angrily. "Women aren’t allowed here."

"I’m here for my kids," she replied, then looked at the boys. "Aaron, Aiden, come with Mamma."

Just as the two boys began walking toward her, Aeldric picked up one of the guns and said, "Take one more step toward your mother, and I’ll shoot her."

The two boys froze in their tracks the next moment.

Alexander stood in front of Serena and said, "Father, you are once again threatening my woman."

The old man chuckled. "Alexander, till now I could tolerate everything you did to go against me, but by being with this woman, you’ve completely disappointed me—and made me realize I don’t need a son like you."

Alexander didn’t budge from his place as he said coldly, "If not for Mother, I wouldn’t stay by your side either."

"Very well," the old man let out a laugh. "Now I have two grandsons. I don’t need a son like you who can’t follow in his father’s footsteps. I can just kill you and this woman—then there’ll be no obstacles between me and my boys."

Aeldric pointed the gun toward Alexander.

Alexander’s loyal men—those he had always trusted and built his own team with—were about to make a move when Alexander signaled them to stay put. He had to look at the bigger picture for the sake of his kids. Getting into a fight at this moment would only endanger their lives.

"Go ahead," said Alexander. "I’m sure once you shoot us both, our kids will hate you forever and will want to kill you instead. You’ll never have them the way you want."

"Kids can be tamed, and bad memories can be forgotten," Aeldric said.

Serena was about to move, but Alexander looked over his shoulder, silently asking her to stay quiet. He knew his father well enough to believe he wouldn’t dare shoot him.

But meanwhile, something else happened.

"Don’t you dare hurt my mom," a little boy’s voice echoed.

Everyone turned to look at the small boy who was holding a small gun—one that barely fit into his tiny hands, but his grip on it was firm, and his fingers were set to pull the trigger. His expression was grave, as if he wasn’t faking it.

"Don’t," Aaron said to stop his brother,

"Aiden," Serena called out, but Aiden didn’t budge.

The guards around were about to stop him, but Aeldric raised his hand, signaling them to stop as he said in amusement, "Let’s see what my little boy can do," and challenged the boy, "Shoot if you dare."

"If you die, then we won’t have to worry," Aiden said, glaring at Aeldric, his fingers ready to shoot, his gaze resolute.

Bang!

"Aiden! Aaron!" Serena exclaimed and ran toward both her sons, who had fallen to the ground with a strong force.