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Trapped
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2024-11-11 23:42:22Related chapters
By Chance, By Fate A Kiss of Deception
14LiamThe sudden lurch of the elevator jerked me back to reality, snapping my thoughts like a rubber band. My heart had been hammering, the aftershocks of the panic attack still lingering in my chest like an open wound. I’d been shaking, but I tried to hide it. I knew Alex could see it, though—he’d been too damn close the whole time, and damn if I didn’t feel that.The crackle of the speaker had broken the silence in the elevator, the voice of some technician saying, “We’ve isolated the issue. Hang tight, we’re getting you out now.”Thank God. I didn’t know how much more of this I could take, the air so tight, every breath a struggle, but it was easing. Slowly. Not fast enough for me, but at least I wasn’t about to lose it again.Alex hadn’t said anything at first. I could feel him watching me, waiting for me to pull myself together. I wanted to tell him to stop looking at me like that, like he was waiting for me to fall apart again. But I couldn’t. He was trying to help. I knew he
By Chance, By Fate Liam's Feelings
15LiamThe emotions were a chaotic mess inside me, each one fighting for dominance. Anger. Frustration. And underneath it all, a deep, gnawing jealousy that I couldn’t suppress, no matter how hard I tried.The room felt even colder, the air thick with tension. I could barely focus on the discussions about the security threat, my eyes involuntarily drawn back to Alex and Charlotte. She was standing so close to him, her hand on his arm, her face soft with concern. I could hear her voice, gentle, almost intimate as she said, “Are you sure you’re okay? You look tense.”For a moment, I hated how effortlessly they seemed to fit together. It was like everything I had hoped for, everything I had been too afraid to acknowledge, was right there in front of me. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to look away.I heard Alex reply in his usual calm tone, but the words barely registered. “I’m fine, Charlotte. Just a lot going on right now.”I tried to focus on the briefing, on the task at hand, b
By Chance, By Fate The Hell?!
16AlexThe room buzzed with the frantic energy of preparation and controlled panic. The summit was a diplomatic ballet that demanded perfection, and now, with the threat hanging over us, everything had to be airtight. The organizers, quick to act, had summoned both Liam and me to spearhead a joint task force. We were to project confidence and cooperation to the public, assuring them that security measures were not just in place but impenetrable. I caught sight of Liam standing near the far end of the room, his expression tense. He looked haunted, like someone trying to keep their head above water in a storm. I couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes darted between Charlotte and me when she stepped closer, her hand finding its way to my arm, fingers pressing lightly. She whispered, “Are you sure you’re okay? You seemed off, my love.” Her voice was soft, but it grated on me, a reminder of the suffocating attention she often drew.“I’m fine,” I said, keeping my tone even as I pulle
By Chance, By Fate Beneath the Surface
17AlexI dressed in record time, throwing on a sharp suit that barely masked the tension crackling in my every move. The polished halls of the hotel gleamed as I made my way down, each step echoing my determination. I spotted Charlotte just as she was stepping into the lobby, a wide smile breaking across her face when she saw me.“Alex!” she called out, quickening her pace and opening her arms as if to embrace me.I stepped back, holding up a hand to stop her. The smile on her face faltered, confusion darting across her features. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice laced with a carefully crafted concern.I held up the newspaper, shaking it slightly. “This,” I said, my voice low and controlled, though the rage seethed beneath the surface. “An article about my father and me. Details that only someone close to me would know. Care to explain?”Charlotte’s eyes widened, her mouth opening in an expression of disbelief. “What? Alex, you can’t seriously think I’d—” She placed a hand over he
By Chance, By Fate Rifts and Revelations
18Liam I woke up, the weight of yesterday's exhaustion still lingering in my muscles, but there was a shift—I felt better, steadier. The dull throb of tiredness was still there, but it didn’t suffocate me like before. I stretched, taking a moment to let the silence settle over me, eyes flicking to the slivers of light peeking through the curtains. Today would be different, I promised myself. Today, I’d find my way back into Alex’s orbit, or at least try to bridge the chasm that had opened between us.The memory of Charlotte’s kiss on Alex’s cheek, that familiar touch, still gnawed at the corners of my mind. It had played on a loop ever since I saw it, leaving me restless. But this morning, I felt determined to push past the jealousy. I was a prince; composure should be my crown. I needed to talk to him, to find a way to get close without the suffocating tension that threatened to crush me whenever she was around.The ritual of bathing calmed me, each splash of water washing away th
By Chance, By Fate He's In Love With Me!
19Alex POV Out of the lobby's view, Charlotte spun on her heel, her eyes blazing. “What the hell was that, Alex?” she demanded, her voice low but seething. “Why did Liam talk to us like that? What’s going on between you two?”I forced myself to keep my expression neutral, though inside, everything felt like it was unraveling. The memory of Liam’s words, the raw pain in his eyes, gnawed at me. I couldn't let it show. I couldn’t let Charlotte know. “That’s not the point, Charlotte,” I shot back, trying to steer the conversation away from the cliff’s edge it was approaching.“Not the point?” Her laugh was sharp, bitter. She took a step closer, eyes narrowed, scanning my face like she was searching for a crack in my armor. “Then what is the point, Alex? Because from where I’m standing, I see a man acting suspicious as hell. You’re hiding something, and I’m going to find out what it is.”I clenched my jaw, feeling the anger flare beneath my skin. “Don’t turn this into something it’s not
By Chance, By Fate Damn It!
20LiamI turned and walked away, feeling a deep, shattering ache bloom in my chest. I had put everything out there, laid myself bare, and Alex had thrown it back with such cold finality it felt like a knife in the gut. The hallway seemed to stretch on endlessly as I forced one foot in front of the other, the distant echoes of murmured conversations blending into a blur. My vision swam with unshed tears, but I wouldn’t let them fall, not here, not now. Alex’s words repeated in my mind like a haunting refrain: There’s no room for this in our world.I wanted to scream, to punch something, to erase the last few days from existence. He couldn’t even admit that it meant something, not even a glimmer of what I knew was there. I pressed my fist to my chest, as if the pressure could push the pain away, but it only seemed to deepen it.Out in the gardens, the cool evening breeze hit my face, carrying the scent of jasmine and damp earth. I leaned against a stone pillar, the rough surface grou
By Chance, By Fate Should I tell him?
21AlexThe weight of days pressed heavily on my shoulders as I made my way through the dark, cobblestone paths winding through the palace gardens. The summit had taken every ounce of willpower to endure, with Liam’s voice—full of anger, hope, and betrayal—still echoing in my head. My chest felt like it was caving in, a silent reminder that I was the architect of this chaos between us. I needed air. I needed space where the silence wasn’t filled with unsaid words and the presence of Liam’s pain. The night breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. I found myself pacing along the edge of the garden, the rough bark of the ancient oaks brushing against my fingertips.That’s when I heard it—a voice, sharp and biting, cutting through the night. I froze, instinctively stepping back into the shadows, holding my breath.“Anders, do you even understand what’s at stake?” Queen Ingrid’s voice was cold, the kind of cold that made the hair on the bac
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By Chance, By Fate Beneath the Facade
30 Alex I couldn’t stay in my hotel room, not with all of this weighing on me. The man’s words kept replaying in my mind: “The real threat... it’s tied to the royals.” Fuck! I slammed my fist against the steering wheel, the echo of it ringing through the confined space of my car. Was this all their fault? Anders? Liam? The damn Brightmores? Or was the man lying to save his own skin? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but the anger burned hotter. I couldn’t let myself believe it wasn’t true—not yet. They’d been at the center of every conflict since this summit started. Liam’s quiet looks, Anders’ overbearing presence, Queen Ingrid’s manipulations—it all added up. I drove aimlessly through the city, hoping the motion would clear my head. The streets were quieter now, the late hour chasing most people indoors. The rhythm of my tires on the road was steady, almost soothing, but my mind refused to settle. The conversation with Liam echoed in my head, his words sharp, his anger palp
By Chance, By Fate Shadows of the Crown
29LiamThe silence between Alex and me was unbearable as we worked in the conference room. The air felt charged, filled with everything we weren’t saying. His focus was glued to the document on his laptop, his fingers typing occasionally, but there was an edge to his movements. I was still rattled by my argument with Anders and my mother. Their voices lingered in my head like an echo, sharp and relentless. My brother’s taunts, my mother’s cold dismissal, and Alex’s earlier accusations... it was all too much. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, they surged back, demanding attention.Alex’s voice finally broke the silence, startling me. “Hey, Liam, are you even paying attention?” I blinked, realizing I’d been staring blankly at the same sentence in my notes for several minutes. “What?” I asked, my voice flat. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Never mind. Forget I asked.” I wanted to say something—anything—but the words got stuck in my throat. The truth was, I wasn
By Chance, By Fate Divided Loyalties
28LiamAs we left the meeting, the tension between our families was almost suffocating. My mother, Queen Ingrid, held her head high, a picture of composure, though I could see the simmering irritation in her eyes. Anders walked beside her, his face a mask of disdain, while Sophia followed silently, her expression unreadable.The Morgans remained behind in the meeting room, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder as the door closed. Alex had been unusually quiet throughout the meeting, though I’d caught the occasional flash of anger in his eyes. Something was brewing, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.The valet pulled up with our sleek black Lamborghini, the epitome of opulence, and I slid into the backseat with Anders while Mother took the passenger seat. As the car purred to life and glided smoothly onto the road, the silence was short-lived.“That family,” my mother began, her voice icy, “is an embarrassment to diplomacy. The way President Morgan spoke to me? Absolutel
By Chance, By Fate Shadows of Power
27Alex I woke up once again to find yet another damning headline in the newspaper. This time, it wasn’t just speculation or vague insinuations. No, this one was personal: *“Alex Morgan’s Erratic Behavior Casts Shadow Over Summit.”* My jaw tightened as I scanned the article, the blood draining from my face. They had cited “anonymous sources” about my “volatile moods” and my “lack of decorum.” I slammed the paper down on the table, my fingers curling into fists. Was it Charlotte again? Damn it! It *had* to be. Before I could spiral further into my thoughts, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. I snatched it up, already bracing myself for whatever was coming. “Alex.” My father’s voice was sharp, cutting. No pleasantries. “Have you seen the papers?” “Yes, sir,” I said, forcing my voice to stay level, though my pulse was hammering in my ears. “This is the second time, Alex!” he barked. “The second time in one week that you’ve embarrassed this family and jeopardized my position. Do
By Chance, By Fate Torn Allegiances
26AlexAs Liam walked away, and his friend followed him, I felt a strange emptiness settle in my chest, but I couldn’t allow myself to dwell on it. The last thing I needed was to think about him. He had to be playing me—just like he did to fuck me. His jealousy was something I’d been dealing with for days, and I was tired of it. Hell, I was tired of HIM.I clenched my fists as I stared at the door where he had disappeared, my jaw tight. What the hell was his problem?He knew Charlotte was stressed—knew she had been going through a lot lately. But no, he had to make everything about him. He had to turn this into something ugly, something PERSONAL.The anger boiled in me. I had tried—I had really tried—to be a friend, a good friend to him despite us being enemies at first. To be patient. But now, everything he said felt like a lie, like some pathetic attempt to twist my feelings. And the worst part? He had the audacity to tell me that I was blind. Me! Like I was the one who couldn
By Chance, By Fate The Price of Deception
25LiamThe moment the door creaked open, I immediately noticed Charlotte standing there, her eyes wide with panic as she took in the scene before her. She froze, her gaze flicking between Alex, Sophia, and me. I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers trembled as she clasped her hands together. There was something off about her, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.Alex, ever the composed one despite his exhaustion, was the first to speak. “Charlotte? What are you doing here?”Her voice faltered as she tried to come up with an explanation. “I... I was just checking the breakroom,” she said quickly, though I could hear the cracks in her voice. “I—just needed to make sure everything was... okay.”Her excuse was weak, too rehearsed, and her face betrayed her, the flicker of guilt barely hidden behind her feigned innocence. I watched as Alex took a step forward, his expression softening despite his confusion. “Is everything all right?” he asked, his voice sur
By Chance, By Fate Operation Eclipse
24AlexI was in my hotel room, slumped in the chair, scrolling through a report on my laptop when my phone buzzed. An unknown number lit up the screen. My finger hovered over the decline button. Who could this be? As the president’s son, my number wasn’t exactly public knowledge. If they’d gotten it, they had to know me—or at least think they did. The call stopped, only to start again a moment later. Persistent, whoever they were. With a sigh, I answered. “Hello?” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “Alex?” A smooth female voice replied. “This is Sophia. I’m Prince Liam’s best friend. We’re both here, and we need to meet with you immediately.” Sophia. Liam. I frowned, standing from my chair. Why now, and what could they possibly want? My schedule was already packed with summit meetings, security briefings, and enough pressure to crush anyone who wasn’t used to it. “This isn’t exactly a good time,” I said, rubbing my temple. “I understand,” she said, her voice calm b
By Chance, By Fate I'm falling Hard
23LiamThe summit was already strained when the latest alert came through. I was in a side room, reviewing talking points for an upcoming session when an aide rushed in, pale-faced and whispering frantically to Sophia. Her expression darkened immediately, and she nodded before dismissing the aide with a clipped, “Handle it.”“What’s happened now?” I asked, setting my notes aside. Sophia turned to me, her lips pressed into a thin line. “There’s been a security breach. A suspicious package was found near the main venue. They’re investigating now.”My stomach churned at the thought. “A bomb?”“Possibly,” she admitted. “President Morgan’s team isn’t taking any chances. Protocols are tightening across the board. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”I nodded, already feeling the tension ramping up. When things like this happened, everyone became a suspect, and alliances frayed. It was the perfect storm for whoever was behind the threats. Later That EveningThe ballroom buzzed
By Chance, By Fate Does She Know?
22LiamThe ballroom glittered with opulence, chandeliers dripping with crystal casting soft light over the finely dressed diplomats and royalty. The air was thick with the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the carefully measured laughter of people who knew too well the art of pretending. I stood near the edge of the room, nursing a half-empty glass of champagne, my gaze scanning the crowd for Alex. He hadn’t arrived yet—or maybe he had and was deliberately avoiding me. Both scenarios felt equally plausible.My thoughts were interrupted by the sharp clip of heels behind me. I turned to see Charlotte approaching, her emerald-green gown flowing like liquid silk around her. Her expression was serene, but her eyes were as sharp as daggers. “Prince Liam,” she greeted, her voice smooth but with an undercurrent of something darker. “Enjoying the party?”“Charlotte,” I replied evenly, inclining my head. “It’s a lovely evening.”Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Lovely indeed.
