The sickened luna’s last chance

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Alexander & Ella

Alexander

This was Ella’s doing. Liam had said so himself.

She had told Liam everything, just to spite me, and now he was going to inform the press of our contract, potentially ruining my election before it had even begun.

I needed to speak with her.

I found Ella lounging in the solarium at the back of the house, a cup of tea balanced between her fingers and a book sitting open in her lap. She was smiling-smiling-as if she hadn’t just betrayed me in the worst way possible.

“Why did you tell him?” I barked. “He’s going to the press now. Are you happy?”

Ella jumped, tea sloshing out of her cup and onto her book. “What?” she breathed, carefully setting aside the soaked book and standing to dust off her dress.

“Don’t play stupid with me, Ella,” I growled, jabbing my finger toward her. “You told Liam about the contract, and for what? To hasten the end of our marriage? Do you really want a divorce so badly that you’d betray me like that, less than three days. after you just willingly signed a contract?”

Ella stared mutely, her gaze shifting between me and Gabriel, who was standing beside me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she finally said.

“Enough.” I turned, too angry to even look her in the face when she was lying right in front of me. “I can’t believe you, Ella. Until you have an apology prepared, I don’t want to hear it.”

And with that, I stormed out, Gabriel on my heels. The door slamming shut behind us sounded like a gunshot going off in the quiet house.

Ella

Alexander and Gabriel stormed off, the door slamming shut behind them. I just stared for a long moment, completely confused.

told Liam about

door was cracked open when I approached,

his things on the

greeting. “Alexander said I

me. When he saw me standing there, he dropped the shirt he was folding and rushed over,

hands in his.

sorry, but I had to do my own digging,” he said. “I heard Alexander forced

away. “That was private, Liam. And I did it of

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Chapter 20

said to coerce

to simmer beneath the surface of my skin at the violation of trust. “Whatever you heard, you should have come to me first. And now Alexander is saying you’re going to the press with the information when you

insisted. “If he has been playing mind games with you, making you think you

that what you think of

That was all the answer I

conscious decision to sign that contract. I made a

for me, but I took

I don’t like this new side of you. What happened to the sweet boy who used to be my best friend? When did you

“Controlling? Ella, I—”

have been so dismissive of my wishes. This isn’t you, Liam.

a long moment. His eyes flashed

head. “This isn’t me. I’m sorry, Ella. I just… I worry about you, that’s all. I look at you, and I see

began to fade away. “I missed you, Liam. I really did. But I

sniffled. When he looked up, his eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. The sight broke

this.” He pulled out the all-too-familiar folder containing the contract and handed it to me, then extended

with me.”

then wrapped my other

burst in, the

meant it. If you think so little of me that you’d believe I would betray you like that, then

the contract. Slowly, Alexander looked back up at me. Remorse shone