Chapter 70

Christiana’s POV

I stormed into Alex’s office, my mind racing with both anger and confusion I didn’t even bother knocking. The door swung open, and there he was, sitting behind his desk, calm and collected, like he hadn’t just ruined a man’s entire career.

“Christiana,” he greeted, his eyes immediately softening at the sight of me. It made my throat tighten, but I shoved the feeling aside. I was here for a reason.

“We need to talk,” I said, cutting straight to the point. “About Roger Wilkes.

His expression remained steady, almost amused, like he knew exactly why I was there.

“Ah, Alex said, leaning back in his chair, his hands steepled in front of him. “I see Grace’s news has reached you.”

“Don’t act like you didn’t expect me to find out.” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t stop it. The frustration, the confusion it was all bubbling too close to the surface. “Did you do it?”

His smile widened slightly, a small, almost proud tilt of his lips. “I did.”

I blinked, momentarily thrown off by how casual he was about it. “You destroyed his business, Alex.”

“And I’d do it again,” he replied without missing a beat, his gaze locking onto mine. There was no remorse in his voice, no hesitation. “Roger Wilkes almost ruined you, Christiana. Stole your guests, tampered with your invitations. What did you expect me to do?”

I couldn’t believe him. I didn’t ask for your help.

His eyes darkened, his gaze becoming more intense. “You didn’t have to.”

My chest tightened, but I refused to let him get to me. I crossed my arms, forcing myself to maintain control. “I don’t want you in my affairs, Alex. You had no right to intervene like that.”

He stood up from behind his desk, his movements slow and deliberate as he walked around to stand in front of me. I had every right,” he said, his voice quieter now but no less determined. “Anyone who tries to hurt you has me to answer to.”

He was close, too close. I could feel the warmth of his body, the faint scent of his cologne filling the space between us. heart pounded in my chest, but I wouldn’t let him see how much he was affecting me.

My

“I

need you,” I said, my voice shaky but firm. “You chose Bianca

gently tilted my chin up, forcing

the fact that you and the kids are my priority. I’m still investigating the fire outbreak. Whoever tried to hurt

His words hung in the air between us, heavy and filled with an emotion I wasn’t ready to confront. I could feel the

moment, I was frozen. Five years of buried emotions were swirling inside me, rising to the surface

I couldn’t let him back in. Not

69%

18:09 Fri, Oct 18

Chapter 70

It was the second time today that he had gotten this close. This intimate. First in the morning at the

His eyes remained fixed on mine, searching for something, maybe a

I added, stepping back, needing to put distance between us. “I don’t need

through his hair, but his gaze never wavered. “Whether you need me or not, Christiana, I’m here. And I’m

I wanted to admit. Because despite everything, the anger, Utment…there was still a part of me that ached for him.

And that terrified me.

wouldn’t let it

you,” I said, my voice cold and distant, “I don’t need

for a moment, his expression

second. But just as my hand reached for the door handle, I felt it. his

if he was holding something back. His grip was firm but gentle, his breath hot against the back

and he knew it. “Alex, let go,” I warned, trying to keep my voice steady,

on my shoulder. “I want you to forgive me,” he said, his voice low, almost pleading. “So we can stop this this constant back and forth. I want us to be together again. The kids would be

painfully at his words. The kids. He was using them again, like a trump card, and it hurt more than I wanted to admit. I tried to step out of his hold, but

forcing myself to stay calm, though anger was simmering beneath my skin.

turned around slowly, meeting his eyes. There was a

my voice firm, though the words felt like jagged glass on my tongue. “You can be in the kids‘ lives, of course. You’re their father,

face. He took a

there was a roughness to his voice now. “I’m not trying to manipulate you. Christiana. I just want what’s best

their father, not trying to play hero in my life. I don’t need you to fix my problems, Alex. And I certainly don’t need you barging in and making decisions

2/3

69%

FII, UCI 18

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255