[Penthouse] [Rooftop]
The pool lights created a soft blue glow on the tiles. The outdoor lights were on.
Max floated on her back near the center of the pool with a drink balanced carefully on her stomach. She looked perfectly relaxed, drifting like someone who had decided gravity had become optional.
Caroline sat on the edge of a lounge chair with her legs stretched toward the water. Her toes brushed the surface while she watched the skyline through the thin mist rising from the heated pool.
Angelina leaned against the glass railing with a wine glass in her hand, one hip tilted casually while she watched the others with quiet amusement.
Rachel sat beside Caroline with an empty glass.
Evangeline stood beside the small outdoor bar mixing another round of drinks.
Halle rested comfortably on a cushioned lounge chair with a blanket draped loosely over her legs. Her hands rested over her baby bump while she watched the group with the calm glow that had followed her since the announcement.
Max suddenly lifted her head from the water.
"You know something funny about today?" she asked while slowly kicking her feet to stay afloat.
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "Only one thing?"
Max ignored the sarcasm.
"I have never seen the internet collectively lose its mind this fast before," she continued. "Two million likes in four hours feels like a new world record."
Rachel said. "And at least twenty major news networks have already pushed the story."
Angelina laughed quietly.
"People behave like celebrities never have children," she said while sipping her wine. "Human reproduction has been happening for quite a long time."
"I think it is the combination that shocked people," Halle replied. "The internet loves drama. Age gaps, famous parents, unexpected news. It hits all the buttons at once."
Max grabbed the glass and rolled onto her stomach and paddled lazily toward the edge of the pool. "Well, the drama worked out nicely for us," she said. "Now the baby will be famous before even learning how to crawl."
Evangeline walked over with a tray holding several fresh glasses.
"You are assuming the baby will enjoy fame," she said while handing one to Rachel. "Some children grow up hating the spotlight."
"Thanks," Rachel said.
Halle nodded thoughtfully. "That is something we will figure out when the time comes," she said. "For now, I am simply enjoying the moment."
Caroline leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms above her head.
"You look so happy," she said.
Halle's smile deepened slightly.
"I am."
"Alex looks happy too," Angelina said.
Max smirked.
"Yeah, well," she said while sipping her drink. "Fatherhood will do that to a man. So, who's next?"
That question hung in the air as everyone looked at each other's faces.
...
[Meanwhile] [Master Bedroom]
The master bedroom felt calm compared to the lively rooftop above.
A stack of opened envelopes sat beside Alex on the bed, along with several neatly arranged letters he had already read.
Scarlett lay on her side next to him with her head resting comfortably against a pillow. She watched him sort through another pile of fan mail with relaxed curiosity.
"You receive more letters than a small country receives taxes," she said while reaching over to grab one from the stack.
Alex opened another envelope and skimmed the contents with a faint smile.
"People enjoy writing dramatic things when they believe nobody will read them carefully," he replied while setting the letter aside.
Scarlett unfolded the page she had taken.
Her eyebrow lifted slowly while she read the message aloud.
"Dear Alex. I am 23 years old and I would like to formally apply for the position of your sugar baby."
Alex chuckled while opening another envelope.
"That one is very polite compared to some of the others."
Scarlett continued reading the rest of the letter with exaggerated seriousness.
"I believe I possess the emotional loyalty and aesthetic value required for the role. I also bake excellent cookies."
She lowered the page and looked at him with amusement.
"That woman prepared a résumé for dating you."
Alex shrugged lightly.
"Ambition deserves respect."
Scarlett tossed the letter onto the pile. "Seventy percent of these are from women asking you for money or marriage."
Alex opened another envelope while shaking his head slightly. "Some of them ask for children too."
Scarlett laughed and sat up slightly. "You are joking."
Alex handed her the letter.
She read it quickly.
"Dear Alex. I am ready to carry your child and give you a powerful bloodline. I am also very submissive and you can do anything you want with me."
Scarlett burst into laughter. "That woman sounds like she belongs in a medieval kingdom."
Alex smiled faintly and reached for another envelope. He slid the letter out and unfolded the page. His expression shifted slightly while reading the first lines.
Scarlett noticed the change immediately.
"What did that one say?" she asked.
Alex continued reading for several seconds before handing the letter to her.
"Take a look."
Scarlett accepted the page and read the message carefully. Her smile faded as her eyes moved across the text.
The letter was short and written in careful handwriting.
...
Name: James Norton
My name is James Norton. My son Jimmy is thirteen years old and currently battling stage four cancer. The doctors have informed us that his condition has reached the final stage and he likely has a few weeks left with us.
Jimmy has loved Spider-Man. It helped him smile despite the pain. When the news about your movie appeared, he talked about it every day and counted the months until the release.
I know you have a busy schedule, and there's little chance you are reading my letter. Still, I wanted to reach out and make this request, even if it seems unreasonable.
If there is any way for my son to see Spider-Man before his time runs out, it would mean more than I can properly explain.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
James Norton
...
The letter trembled slightly in Scarlett's fingers as she finished reading it.
She reread the last few lines under her breath, as if making sure the request hadn't changed in the second pass. "A few weeks left... and all the kid wants is to see Spider-Man before..." She let the sentence trail off, not needing to finish it. "God. That's heartbreaking."
Alex got down from the bed and grabbed his jacket.
"Wait! Are you?" She asked.
"The regular editing will take time and the kid doesn't have much time," Alex said as he put on the jacket and grabbed his wallet and keys from the night table. "So, I have to step up."
"Step up?" Sacrlett sat up. "How are you going to do all the editing this fast?"
"Let's just say, I have something that can edit the entire movie within a few hours," Alex said as he was already walking toward the door. He stopped and looked back. "I know you got questions. I promise to explain it after I take care of this."
"You're not going to tell me you have superpowers, now, are you?" Scarlett asked, narrowing her eyes. She has had her suspicions for a while now after seeing Alex's insane stamina and reaction time, not to mention how fast he creates comics, writes books and reduces editing time of the movies he makes, but she never got the proper chance to bring it up.
"Yeah, something like that," Alex replied with a wink before walking out.
...
[2 days later]
[Titan HQ – Private Screening Theater]
Jimmy Norton sat in the middle seat of the VIP row, propped up with extra pillows that Rachel had insisted on bringing from the medical suite downstairs. His hospital blanket lay folded neatly across his lap, but he wore a brand-new Spider-Man hoodie that hung a little loose on his thin frame. The hood was pulled back so everyone could see his face clearly. His skin looked pale under the low lights, yet his eyes stayed wide and bright, fixed on the blank screen as though it might light up at any second. The doctors were just outside the room, in case of an emergency.
James sat right beside him, one hand resting lightly on his son's arm. He kept glancing between Jimmy and the door, gratitude and nerves mixing in every small movement.
Rachel stood near the entrance, speaking quietly into her earpiece to confirm the final preparations. She gave a quick nod when she saw Alex and Scarlett step inside.
Alex walked down the aisle first, hands in his pockets, moving with the calm certainty that always seemed to settle around him in moments like this. Scarlett followed close behind, carrying a small bag that held a few wrapped gifts they had picked out together the night before.
Jimmy noticed them immediately. His head turned, and a slow, tired smile spread across his face when he recognized Alex.
"You're really here," Jimmy said. His voice came out soft and a little raspy, but the excitement underneath carried clearly enough.
Alex smiled back and took the seat directly beside him. "Wouldn't miss it for anything, Jimmy. I heard you're my number-one fan."
Jimmy nodded several times, too quickly at first, then slowed himself down. "Since the comics came out. My dad reads the comics to me before bed. Then the movies came out, and I watched them so many times the DVDs got scratched."
James cleared his throat and leaned forward slightly. "He knows every line from the first two films. Quotes them when the nurses come in to check his vitals. Keeps them laughing."
Scarlett bent down to her knees and looked at the kid. "That's impressive. Most people can't even remember what they had for breakfast yesterday."
Jimmy laughed, a small, breathy sound that ended in a cough he tried to hide behind his hand. "I remember everything about Spider-Man. He always gets back up. No matter what."
Alex looked at the boy for a long moment. "That's the best part about him. Doesn't matter how hard the hit is. He finds a way to stand again. Sounds like you've been doing the same thing."
Jimmy's eyes dropped to his lap for a second, then lifted again. "I try. Some days it's harder. The medicine makes everything fuzzy. But when I think about the new movie, it helps. Dad said you made this one special."
"We did," Alex said. "And we made sure it would be ready for you to see it first. Before anyone else."
Jimmy's mouth opened slightly. "First? Like… the very first?"
"World premiere right here," Scarlett added. She reached into the bag and pulled out a small black velvet box. "We also brought you something to make it official."
She opened the box to reveal a sleek, silver keychain shaped like the Spider-Man logo, engraved with Jimmy's name on the back and the words "First Viewer – Titan Studios."
Jimmy stared at it, then reached out with careful fingers to take it. His hand shook just a little as he turned it over. "This is mine?"
"All yours," Alex said. "And there's one more surprise after the movie."
Jimmy clutched the keychain against his chest like it was the most valuable thing he owned. "Thank you. Both of you. I don't even know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," Scarlett told him gently. "Just enjoy the show. That's all we want."
James wiped at his eyes with the heel of his hand and gave Alex a look full of quiet thanks.
Alex met his gaze and gave a knowing nod.
Scarlett stood up and sat beside Alex.
Rachel stepped forward from the side aisle. "Everything's set whenever you're ready. Lights, sound, the works. I can start it right now."
Jimmy looked up at his dad, then at Alex and Scarlett. "Is it ready?"
Alex nodded. "Hit the button, Rachel."
The lights dimmed further until only the glow from the screen remained. The Titan Studios logo appeared first, bold and bright, followed by the familiar swell of music that always signaled the beginning of something big.
Jimmy settled deeper into the pillows, eyes locked on the screen. His fingers stayed wrapped tightly around the keychain.
As the opening sequence rolled, Jimmy whispered just loud enough for Alex to hear.
"This is the best day ever."
---[MORE POWERSTONES💎💎💎]---
Support link: www.patr eon.com/UnknownMaster
[6 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers]
+ [Early access to Reborn in Castle: 13 chs]
[No double-billing.]