Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 221

Chapter 221

*13)

Nancy and Todd exchanged a look, both utterly stunned. Their disbelief was written all over their faces.

Layton cast a sympathetic glance in Alex’s direction before quickly dropping his head, wanting no part of the escalating drama.

Alex’s emotions were at a breaking point. His eyes were tinged red, the veins in his neck visibly pulsing. Without realizing it, his hands gripped Ellie’s shoulders tightly as though trying to anchor himself.

He bent slightly forward, bringing himself to her eye level, their gazes locking in a tense standoff.

For the first time, Alex attempted to explain himself. “That time, it was…”

“Don’t you dare call it an accident,” Ellie interrupted, her voice sharp and unyielding. “You knew I couldn’t swim, Alex. Not only did you refuse to save me, but you didn’t even give me a chance to explain myself, did you?”

Her words hit him like a sledgehammer. Alex felt a painful squeeze in his chest, leaving him momentarily breathless. “Ellie…” He wanted to explain himself, but no matter how desperately he searched for the right words, they wouldn’t come.

Nancy’s voice broke through the

Ellie, taking a

Todd’s hand struck Alex across the face with a resounding crack. “You bastard! How could you…”

from the corner of his mouth, his red–rimmed eyes fixed on Ellie with

struggled to speak, but no words came. The silence was suffocating. Nancy, her expression filled with worry, grabbed Ellie’s hand tightly

frustration. “I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again. She never was and she never will be!” His

not leaving!” Ellie stepped forward, spreading

seemed ready to consume everything in its path. Yet Ellie didn’t back down. “You need to promise, right here and now, in front of Mom and Dad,

you fucking kidding me?!” Alex’s anger exploded as his hand shot out, grabbing her

wasn’t me!”

didn’t flinch. Remained in her weak position, her eyes met his, unwavering and filled

to back down. Layton and Nancy rushed to

down Nancy’s face as she screamed, “Why are you so stubborn? I would rather not

alarming shade of gray as he pointed at Alex. “I don’t care if you did it or not. From

9 Feb

Chapter 221

is your responsibility. If anything happens to him, you’ll