Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0156

Chapter 0156

Alexander POV

Ella always managed to surprise me in ways I didn’t expect When we met at the gym, it wasn’t necessarily her strength or speed that caught me off guard–I’d expected her to have some athleticism. What surprised me was her enthusiasm.

For someone who claimed she didn’t exercise regularly, she threw herself into each part of the workout with an energy that was rare to see.

After she left, I met with each of the trainers to discuss her results, and though none of them openly praised her, I could see they were as impressed as I was. It made me feel an odd surge of pride.

Of course, any public praise of Ella reflected positively on me due to our “relationship,” but that wasn’t why I felt this way.

Ella had endured more in the brief time I’d known her than most people face in a lifetime, and all of it at the hands of someone who claimed to love her. Yet, despite the pain she’d suffered, she continued to push forward, to improve herself, and to find ways to reclaim her life. There was a quiet strength in her, a resilience that was rare.

In a way, I admired her. She somehow balanced that strength with a gentleness that most people would have lost long ago. It was a balance that very few people could maintain–and one I struggled with myself.

“Sir,” August’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Is there a reason you keep checking your phone?”

I shook my head, looking up at him as I set my phone down on the desk. “I apologize,” I said. “I‘ distracted this morning.”

“I see that,” he replied. “Is anything wrong?”

little

“No, it’s nothing like that,” I said dismissively. “I’m simply waiting for a response from Ella. I’m trying to decide on my plan for the day, and her input is needed.”

word. He didn’t have to–his disapproval was clear enough. He’d already voiced his concerns about me becoming too attached to Ella numerous times.

I had to be careful to maintain the illusion. of a close relationship with

beginning, and while she hadn’t said it outright, I could sense her nervousness. Hoping to encourage her and, admittedly, to open the door for a more substantial conversation–I sent her a message early

much to sort out for

hadn’t responded right away. Ella wasn’t the type to be glued to her phone. But as the minutes ticked by, I found myself growing more

was wrong, exactly, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something

least of her worries.

had allies ready and willing to support her. She wouldn’t

Chapter 0156

+25 BONUS

in. Considering what David had tried to do to her at the hotel, I couldn’t

easily be something else entirely. Ella didn’t exactly confide in me, nor did I expect her to, but it

be hypocritical of me to press her for answers. There were plenty of things I wasn’t transparent with her about, things she hadn’t

bothered me far more than it

again, “David Lake is getting a lot of attention in the public eye lately. He’s being very showy about his wedding

hurting him financially, although it obviously is. He won’t be able to sustain this kind of spending for long. If he keeps it up, he

you think the best approach is to wait and allow him to continue?”

himself if he does, but I think waiting might be a mistake. We need to be strategic about this. My contacts are

to do with that information? August asked, his tone

on that as well.

August asked, leaning

at I’ve

slid it over to him. It was a timeline