COMMENT
Chapter 25
Although high on drugs and only partially aware of her surroundings, Annie's heart raced when she heard the unmistakable. sound of a car pulling into the garage. Alexander!
He was the only one who'd come home at this hour. Panic surged through her. She had assumed he wouldn't be back tonight and had let herself indulge far 100 freely. Now, she needed a plan and fast.
With unsteady steps. Annie stumbled toward the wine cellar, grabbing the first bottle within reach. She rushed back to the bedroom, emptied most of the wine into the bathroom sink, and then took a small sip, hoping the faint scent would mask any lingering signs of the drugs in her system
Quickly, she slipped into a long-sleeve blouse to cover any track marks, then returned to bed, trying to appear merely drunk.
Moments later, Alexander entered the room and found her sprawled across the bed, a wine bottle beside her. He sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. He couldn't really blame her, today had been a disaster.
If only things had gone differently, he thought.
But lately, everything seemed to be unraveling beyond
mother's bedside, the silence in the hospital room thick with anticipation. They watched as their mother, Brianna, slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the bright fluorescent lights, her expression clouded with confusion. Alexander's stomach churned, a heavy knot of anxiety twisting tighter with each second. He didn't want to believe what the doctors had said. He wanted them
her face streaked with tears she had tried and failed to suppress, leaned forward and wrapped her
returned Vivian's embrace but continued to scan the room, her confusion deepening. Her lips parted as she took a shaky breath. "Where. where is your wife, Alex?" Her voice was weak but firm, carrying the authority of a woman who had always known her family's ins and
solidify. He glanced at Vivian, who had frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Mom" Vivian murmured, struggling to process
found him. "I want you to bring Emma to me now," she said, each word steady, laden with strength that belied her fragile state. "I haven't seen her in a
explain, his mother's eyes narrowed, and her tone grew more insistent. "Alexander, what is wrong with
requested for Emma, Alexander's mind was made up, he was
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Chapter 25
with caring
of her predicament and her dwindling time. Annie knew it was only a matter of time before the
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