Chapter 98

Christia

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1 stormed back into the hotel suite, slamming the door behind me so hard that the frame shook. My heart pounded fumously in my chest, a wide range of anger and frustration that I could barely control. How could he? How could Alex stand there, apologizing like his words meant anything? Like they could undo everything that had happened?

The rage boiled under my skin, threatening to explode as I paced the length of the living room. I couldn’t breathe; it felt like the walls were closing in. I stopped, gripping the back of the couch, trying to steady myself, but my hands shook violently Everything had happened because of him. The fire, the kidnapping, the torture..everything

I could have lost my children. My children. A seb choked my throat, but I swallowed it down. I didn’t have time to cry, to break down. Not now. Not when I had to be strong for them.

But the images wouldn’t stop flashing in my mind. The fire…a month ago now…but still so vivid. The smoke, the heat, the pane My habies screaming, me desperately trying to get to them, to save them from the flames that nearly took us all. And just last werk. God, just a week ago. I was kidnapped. Bianca’s men had grabbed me, tied me up like I was nothing, and tortured me for hours. Every punch, every cut, every blow..because of him.

Alex. Alexander Williams Alistair.

1 gritted my teeth, the very sound of his name in my head enough to send a fresh wave of fury through me. He was the reason for all of this. He had dragged his toxic life back into mine. And for what? To play the hero? To swoop in and pretend to save the day?

“Selfish bastard. I spat under my breath, my nails digging into the fabric of the couch. He didn’t care about us. Not really. If he did he would have stayed away. He would have realized that every step he took toward us, every time he forced himself hack into our lives, he was only putting us in more danger.

Bianca’s psychotic jealousy wasn’t some random act. It was targeted. It was deliberate. Because of him. She couldn’t stand that Alex had chosen me, that he had left her in the past. And because of that, she wanted me gone.

She could have killed me. She tried to

I closed my eyes, the memories of last week flooding back. The ropes digging into my wrists, the cold concrete beneath me, Marco’s face as he whispered his apologies before finally letting the go. He had been hired to kill me, and I would have been dead if he hadn’t had a conscience. And through it all, Bianca’s shadow loomed over everything, planning it all like some deranged puppet master

I felt sick. Sick with the memory of it all, sick with the realization that I wasn’t safe. That my children weren’t safe.

And now Alex thought an apology would fix it? That he could say a few words and I would just what? Forgive him? Let h

No

I showed those thoughts aside, burying the small part of me that wanted to consider his side, that wanted to believe he was truly trying to help it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter. He had done this. He had brought this storm into my life, and now I had to pick up the pieces hold my family together whale he played the victim.

1 waster going to let fin off that eastly I wasn’t going to let him waltz back in and pretend everything could go back to

1pared faster, my chest tighe, my head duobbing. The kids would be back soon, nanny, bodyguards, the whole entourage dat now followed in everywhere because of the danger Alex had brought into our lives. And I couldn’t even bring myself to

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Chapter 98

Not while my blood still boiled, not while I sell wanted to scream and throw something and rage against the mess my life had

mirror. I barely recognized myself. My eyes were red, my face tight with fury. I wasn’t this person. I wasn’t someone who let hate consume them, who allowed anger

that it was

hard to force himself into our lives, none of this would’ve happened. Bianca wouldn’t have spiraled out of control. My children

inside me. The door opened, and there they were….my children, my heart and soul…running

Anger that I had almost lost them. Anger that I had to keep fighting just to

this. Not right

heading toward the bedroom. I could hear their footsteps behind me, but I kept walking, needing a moment, needing space. I couldn’t face

know how to calm down, how to let go of this rage that had consumed me since the moment Bianca had reentered my life, dragging Alex back with

matter that he was trying to help now. It didn’t matter that he felt guilty. The damage had been done, and I wasn’t sure

All because of him.

An hour later.

had tried to distance myself, to push all my emotions down so I wouldn’t break in front of them. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the overwhelming sense of guilt. They had been through so

the door creaked open, and the kids, looking well–fed and a bit more

was the first thing I saw as he ran toward me, his arms open. “Mom!” he shouted, throwing himself into

inhaling the sweet scent of their hair, kissing the tops of their heads. They were everything to me, my world, my reason for fighting through all of this. Each of

intended. I wasn’t ready for what I had to say

from his backpack, revealing a messy but heartwarming drawing of us, standing hand–in–hand in a garden. My heart clenched at the sight of it Emma chimed in quietly. “I made

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Chapter 98

brushing a stray strand of hair from Emma’s face. “That’s beautiful, baby.

nestled closer, the warmth of their tiny bodies grounding me. But the words I needed to say clawed at my throat. desperate to be spoken. I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly as I prepared to shatter

hate to break it to you..” Lbegan, my voice low, trying to keep it steady. I felt Ethan shift in my lap, his big eyes looking up at me with curiosity. “But you two aren’t going

I watched as their faces fell in slow motion. Emma’s eyes widened in disbelief. while Ethan’s brow furrowed. They both stared at me, waiting for me to tell them I was joking, that it wasn’t real. But I wasn’t joking. Not about

Ethan finally asked, his voice small but demanding. “Why can’t

hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Your dad… he needs to sort some things out right now. It’s not good for you to be around

anything wrong! Why can’t we see him?” Emma’s bottom lip trembled as she watched me, her eyes filling with tears. “We love Daddy, Mommy.

can’t see him

whispered, trying to hold back my own tears. “But right now, it’s not safe. He’s caused.. he’s made some mistakes, and I can’t let him be around you until things

shouted, his small fists clenching. “We’re never gonna stop seeing him! You can’t stop

I pleaded, reaching out to touch his arm, but he pulled away, his face twisted in anger. “I’m doing this

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