Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 554

In the garden of Grant Manor, two figures stood apart, exchanging glances.

Ellie said, “Cigarettes have a lot of nicotine in them. The carbon monoxide and cyanide released when they buocas wy harm your lungs and your ability to breathe.”

“The chemicals like benzene, heavy metals, and others found in cigarettes can even increase the risk of cancer, the What at the many cigarette butts scattered at Alex’s feet.

“Knowing all these bad effects, so many people still smoke,” Alex said and glanced briefly at Ellie before saring of t distance. Ellie stood next to a flowerbed a little to his left.

Suddenly, five years‘ worth of memories rushed into her mind–the sight of Alex’s Mom on her knees at the Lapon wedding, begging him not to pull the trigger.

Back then, Alex fully understood how devastating it would be for the Warren family and the Warren Group if he took violence. Yet he had still pulled the trigger.

When he found out about her pregnancy, even knowing the storm that would follow, he had rushed out to see ber the des headfirst into disaster, despite knowing the risks.

of the people who care about you,” Ellie said, her tone woudy and lacking

sensing Alex’s inner

offer

usual bravado, Ellie realized the could speak to

him

for me?” Alex’s unexpected question caught Ellie off

cigarette from his pack, she reached into her pocket for the candy her daughter had given her before she

the candy to Alex. He just stared at her without

Alex had always been surrounded by admirers, a person of importance

being away for so long, no one came looking for him. Reality can be cruel. The fact that the Warren family hadn’t completely fallen apart

might find peace just sitting in a hospital hallway, realizing that good health is more valuable than anything else,” Ellie concluded, taking his cigarette and putting it back in the

moment. Then he forced a smile that seemed a bit bitter. “Can you believe it? No one’s ever talked to me like

emotions swelling

like I’m lower than even Orion’s toe. I used to laugh at what they said, but now I see that