87LiamI pressed my palms against the cool wood of the door, my breaths ragged. My chest heaved, but I forced myself to steady it. This couldn’t be real. Alex was getting married? To Charlotte Bellamy? The news replayed in my head, each repetition more suffocating than the last.“No, no, no,” I muttered, shaking my head. My fingers curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms. “This can’t be happening.”I pushed off the door, pacing the room like a caged animal. My socked feet barely made a sound against the wooden floor, but each step felt heavier than the last. Anger, confusion, and hurt clouded my thoughts, making it impossible to focus.Why hadn’t he told me? How long had this been going on? Was I that easy to discard?My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. I snatched it up with trembling hands, half-hoping it was Alex, half-fearing it would be someone else telling me the same devastating news.It wasn’t Alex.The name on the screen read
88LiamI clenched my fists, my heart hammering in my chest. The room suddenly felt suffocating, her piercing gaze locking onto mine. She stood there, regal and terrifying, waiting for an answer, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. “I said it’s nothing,” I repeated, my voice cracking slightly under the weight of her interrogation. Her eyes narrowed further, her tone dripping with suspicion. “Don’t play games with me, Liam. You’ve been acting strange for months. Ever since you took that bullet for Alex Morgan.” She paused, her eyes searching mine. “What is it about him that has you so… tangled?” The air in the room grew heavier. My throat felt dry as I scrambled for something to say—anything that wouldn’t give me away. I couldn’t let her see through me, couldn’t let her discover the truth that I was desperately trying to bury. I forced a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “What? You think I’m mad because he’s getting married? I nearly died for him, Mother! And now he’s
89Alex Once in my room, I slammed the door shut, leaning against it as I let out a long, frustrated sigh. My family’s voices still echoed faintly from downstairs, but I had no energy left to deal with them. I crossed the room and collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling as the enormity of what I had just done began to sink in. Marrying Charlotte. What a joke. Before I could even let the thought fully form, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Groaning, I reached for it and saw her name flashing across the screen. **Charlotte.** Of course. For a moment, I debated letting it ring, but I knew better. She wouldn’t stop until I answered. Bracing myself, I picked up the call and brought the phone to my ear. “Alex,” her voice cooed, dripping with smug satisfaction. “So, you’ve finally come to your senses. I was beginning to wonder how long it would take for you to realize this is what’s best for everyone—especially you.” I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. “Charlotte, I didn’t a
90AlexThe next morning, I was informed by one of the house staff that Charlotte would be arriving soon. Apparently, she and my mother had conspired to start planning the wedding. I groaned, rolling out of bed, already feeling the headache coming on. By the time I reached the sitting room, she was already there, perched on the edge of the cream-colored sofa like she owned the place. Dressed in a tailored white blouse and an expensive-looking pencil skirt, Charlotte looked every bit the polished, perfect fiancée my parents envisioned for me. “Alex,” she said brightly, standing and striding over to me. “Finally. I was beginning to think you’d sleep the day away.” I forced a tight smile. “Good morning to you too, Charlotte.” She ignored the obvious lack of enthusiasm in my tone and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the sofa. A thick leather-bound planner sat on the coffee table, surrounded by fabric swatches, floral arrangement samples, and invitations. “Your mother and I got
91Alex### The Shopping Trip From Hell We hadn’t even stepped out of the car when the madness began. A group of people immediately recognized us as we walked into a boutique. “Oh my God! It’s Alex and Charlotte!” a woman squealed, clutching her friend’s arm. I sighed deeply, but Charlotte turned on the charm like a seasoned politician. “Hi there!” she said with a dazzling smile, waving like we were royalty. “Can we get a picture?” another woman asked, pulling out her phone. I started to protest, but Charlotte looped her arm through mine and leaned in. “Of course!” she said brightly. “Come on, Alex, smile!” I gritted my teeth but forced a polite smile for the camera. As soon as the photo was taken, I pulled away from her. “Great, we’re done. Can we go now?” I muttered. “Not even close,” she said, dragging me into the shop. Inside, it was even worse. Charlotte flitted from one section to another, holding up swatches of fabric and pointing out centerpieces, while I tru
92LiamThe kingdom was alive with excitement for my upcoming wedding with Sophia. Every corner of the palace was adorned with flowers, silks, and banners in shades of gold and cream, the official colors of our union. The cheerful buzz of servants, musicians, and decorators filled the air, but none of it could drown out the suffocating weight in my chest.I avoided Sophia as much as I could. She had tried calling me a few more times after our last conversation, but I ignored her. Each time her name appeared on my phone, my stomach twisted in guilt and dread. She didn’t deserve this—didn’t deserve me, a man who couldn’t love her the way she deserved. And yet, I was trapped.Mom, on the other hand, was practically glowing with excitement. She spoke of the wedding plans incessantly, debating between seating arrangements and flower choices with a fervor I couldn’t match. I nodded along during conversations, pretending to care while my mind drifted to Alex—his laugh.But now, he was gone.
93LiamMy mother swept into the room moments later, a whirlwind of excitement and authority. “Oh, there you are! Look at this fabric!” She gestured dramatically to the outfits being brought in by servants—my wedding suit and Sophia’s gown. My suit was even more elaborate than the one laid out earlier. The jacket alone was a masterpiece, with diamond-encrusted buttons and gold filigree swirling around the sleeves. The trousers were made of the same luxurious fabric, tailored to perfection, while the shoes gleamed with golden accents. Sophia’s gown was breathtaking. The bodice was covered in intricate beadwork, diamonds catching the light with every movement. The skirt flowed like liquid gold, with layers of sheer fabric that gave it an ethereal quality. A tiara of diamonds and sapphires completed the ensemble, making her look every inch the royal bride. My mother clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. “Isn’t it magnificent? You two will be the picture of perfection, the
94AlexThe next morning, I woke up with a plan. I’d pack light, leave early, and avoid Charlotte entirely. If all went well, I’d be on a plane before she even realized I was gone. Simple. Foolproof.Or so I thought.By the time I tiptoed into the living room with my bag slung over my shoulder, Charlotte was already there, perched on the couch like a cat that had just caught a mouse. She was sipping her coffee and scrolling on her phone, looking impossibly smug.“Good morning, Alex,” she said sweetly, not even glancing up from her mug.I froze mid-step, my heart sinking. “Uh… morning.”Her eyes flicked to my bag. “Going somewhere?”“Just the gym,” I said, attempting to sound casual as I gestured vaguely to the bag.“With a suitcase?” she asked, arching an elegant eyebrow.I hesitated, feeling the weight of her gaze. “It’s, uh, for extra weights,” I said weakly.Charlotte set her coffee down slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the moment. “Extra weights?” she repeated, her voice dripp
105AlexThe room was as silent as a tomb, save for the rustle of whispers that spread like wildfire and the faint echo of my footsteps against the polished marble floor. My heart hammered as I stepped deeper into the grand hall, the towering crystal chandeliers casting fractured rainbows across the walls. My eyes locked onto Liam’s, his face frozen in a kaleidoscope of emotions: shock, disbelief, and simmering fury.His bride—Sophia, yes, that was her name—shifted her wide-eyed gaze between us, her confusion palpable. Her fingers hovered uncertainly near Liam's arm, as though unsure whether to hold on or let go.Around us, the crowd came alive with murmurs, the dignitaries and royals exchanging incredulous glances, their whispers growing louder with every passing second."Is that... the President?""Why would he—here? On their day?""Doesn’t he know how inappropriate this is?"I swallowed hard, the weight of a hundred scrutinizing eyes pressing down on me like a physical force. My pu
104LiamAs the grand doors to the ceremony hall loomed ahead, I could feel the weight of every step I took. The golden trim on the marble floor glinted in the sunlight streaming through the high windows, but it did nothing to warm the chill inside me. “Your Highness, would you like a moment before entering?” the servant asked, his voice quiet, almost hesitant. I paused, considering it for the briefest moment, before shaking my head. “No,” I said firmly, though my voice betrayed the tremor in my chest. “Let’s get this over with.” The servant nodded and pushed open the doors. The hall was magnificent—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes, rows of pews filled with royalty, dignitaries, and guests dressed in their finest. A massive floral arrangement framed the altar at the front, where my bride-to-be stood, her back to me, speaking softly with her bridesmaids. The string quartet played a delicate melody, but the sound barely registered. My eyes swept the crowd, inst
103AlexCharlotte suddenly paused mid-rant, a sly smile creeping across her face. She tossed her phone onto the bed and leaned against the dresser, arms crossed, her expression calm and calculating.“Actually,” she said, her tone shifting to something almost playful, “coming late might not be such a bad thing after all.”I froze, one shoe in my hand, glaring at her in disbelief. “What are you even talking about?”She shrugged, her smile growing wider. “Think about it, Alex. You’re the President of the United States, and I’m the daughter of a powerful billionaire. People *expect* us to make an entrance.”I rolled my eyes and sat back down on the bed, letting the shoe fall to the floor. “Charlotte, this isn’t some kind of power move. It’s a wedding. Prince Liam’s wedding. Do you get that?”She waved a hand dismissively, her expression utterly indifferent. “And why are you so preoccupied with getting there on time anyway? Liam’s supposed to be your *enemy*. So, really, what’s the rush?”
102AlexI felt her lips press against mine before I could fully process what was happening. It was soft at first, tentative, as if she was testing the waters to see if I’d pull away. But I didn’t. Instead, I stood there, frozen, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. It was like a strange pull—her insistence, the pressure mounting with every moment, and the feeling of helplessness that gripped me.Her hands slid up my chest, gently pushing me back toward the bed. I didn’t resist, though every part of me screamed to stop. But there was no stopping it now. Charlotte was determined, and I had been cornered into this position.She kissed me again, harder this time, her lips demanding, as if she had finally gotten the upper hand. And in some twisted way, I had given it to her. The realization stung, but it was too late for regrets.“Don’t act like this is new, Alex,” Charlotte murmured between kisses, her voice low, almost taunting. “You knew this was coming.”I wanted to tell her she
101AlexI sank into the plush couch of the VIP suite, the room spinning slightly. It was 2 a.m., and I was beyond exhausted. The wedding was only a few hours away, but I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in my stomach. The whole thing felt like a bad dream. Liam was about to marry someone else, and here I was, trapped in this mess with Charlotte—my fiancée, my supposed partner, though it felt more like a weight on my chest.I ran a hand through my hair, trying to ignore the pounding in my skull. Charlotte, pacing around the room in her silk robe, stopped in front of me, her eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite place. “We should get some rest before tomorrow,” she said softly, but the tone of her voice made my skin crawl. “We’ll need our energy.”I didn’t look up, too tired to engage, but she wasn’t having it.“Alex,” she pressed, her voice suddenly soft, seductive even. “Let’s go to bed. I need you.”I blinked, not sure if I’d heard her correctly. “What?”She took a step c
100AlexHere's the rewritten version of your chapter, expanding the middle section with additional dialogues and a more extended narrative. It keeps the essence of your original chapter but adds depth and tension to the interactions. Let me know if you'd like to make any further tweaks.---Charlotte led the way out into the freezing night, her shoulders hunched against the cold. The streetlights above cast a dim, flickering glow, making her look even smaller. I followed silently, my thoughts a whirlwind of resentment and reluctance. The last few days had been nothing but one disaster after another, and this was no different. Alec’s mess had turned into mine, and now I was stuck dealing with it.As we walked, I broke the silence, my voice a low murmur. “So, who’s this dangerous friend of Alec’s?”Charlotte hesitated, glancing at me over her shoulder, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. “His name’s Viktor. He’s... well, let’s just say he’s not someone you call unless you’re desperate.”
99LiamCertainly! Here's the rewritten version of your chapter, with added dialogues and expanded middle section, leading to the same ending.---The grand doors of the ceremony hall loomed ahead, intricately carved with scenes of royal history. Every detail was immaculate, from the golden handles to the red carpet unfurled before me. But none of it felt real. The weight of the crown on my head, the layers of the ceremonial robe—it all felt like chains dragging me toward something I couldn’t escape.“Liam!” my mother called from the side of the hall. She stood near Sophia, who looked as radiant as ever, dressed in her breathtaking gown. My mother’s smile was tight, her eyes scrutinizing every detail of me as if I were a piece of art she needed to perfect.Sophia caught my eye, her expression soft, almost apologetic. She looked beautiful, yes, but her beauty didn’t stir anything in me other than guilt.“Come now,” my mother said sharply, motioning for me to stand beside Sophia. “Every
98LiamThe next morning came too quickly. I barely slept—every time I closed my eyes, I saw Alex’s face. Not smiling, not happy, but the way he’d looked the last time we’d spoken: distant, cold, like I was just another face in the crowd. My chest ached as the thought repeated itself: *He didn’t care. He never cared.*But what if I was wrong? What if he *did* care and didn’t know about the wedding? What if he’d tried to call and I missed it? Or worse, what if he *knew* and just… didn’t think it was worth stopping?I rolled over, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. It was almost noon, and the maids were already bustling outside my door, waiting for me to summon them or let them in. But I ignored them, swiping to Alex’s contact.I stared at his name for what felt like hours.*One last time,* I told myself. *Just try one more time.*With trembling fingers, I hit the call button. The line rang. Once. Twice. Three times. My heart pounded louder with each ring, the hope building even tho
97Alex I leaned against the wall, pinching the bridge of my nose. My head throbbed, exhaustion crawling over me like a heavy blanket. My plans for a quiet night of mindlessly scrolling through my phone and ignoring the fact that Liam—*Liam*—was getting married tomorrow were now shredded to pieces. Instead, I was stuck here with Charlotte, her shaking brother, and a ticking time bomb of fifty thousand kroner’s worth of debt.“This is insane,” I muttered, more to myself than anyone else, my voice low and sharp.Charlotte’s head snapped toward me, her expression hardening. She was pacing the room like a caged tiger, silk robe billowing behind her. “It’s not insane—it’s urgent,” she snapped back. “Alec’s life is in danger. Do you even comprehend that?”I barked out a humorless laugh. “Do *you* comprehend that I just wanted one night—*one night*—without you pulling some new crisis into my life?”Her eyes narrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. “Don’t make this about you,” she said, gla