The wheels of the wheelchair scraped against the smooth hospital floor, the sound unnervingly loud as we passed the sterile white walls. Alexander sat still, his hands gripping the arms of the chair as though they were the only things anchoring him to the present moment. I pushed him, my mind racing, my heart pounding. Every step felt heavy, weighted down by the thoughts swirling in my head, the frustration clawing at my chest.People stared, their gazes following us as though we were some tragic spectacle. A part of me hated it, the way their eyes lingered, the judgment they didn't even bother to hide. I could feel their curiosity, their whispers buzzing around us like a swarm of insects. They thought we were some pathetic couple. They had no idea.I didn’t ask for this. I never wanted this.But I couldn’t just leave him here, abandoned, vulnerable. I couldn't ignore him, even though every fiber of my being screamed for me to run, to get away from th
I studied my reflection in the mirror, taking note of the sage green dress I’d saved up money to buy. It was my anniversary and I wanted to surprise my husband at the office. The dress was fabulous and I knew my husband, Alexander would love it. He usually liked dresses that clung to me and showed all my curves. “You look wonderful, ma’am.” One of the maids who was helping get dressed commented. “That’s what I thought. Thank you, Sarah.” I did a little twirl to check myself out one more time. Tonight had to be perfect. “Open my jewelry box and get me that necklace with diamond studs.”She brought it to me. Quickly, I put them on and ten minutes later, I was done and making my way to the bus station. Alexander was yet to get me a car so I used public transportation for the time being. I tried not to dwell on the fact that he’d just gotten himself his third car while I was yet to get one. He was in my life, that was all that should matter. It was all that mattered, actually. I l
I got home, still crying. The tears were refusing to stop pouring, my heart would not stop bleeding. I felt pain. Too much pain and none was physical. Even the cabman who had driven me home had been worried about how hard I was sobbing. He’d asked questions but I didn’t answer any. Now I was home and in my room. I studied myself in the mirror. Just a hour ago, I’d been happy about celebrating my second anniversary with Alex. “I’m such a joke. A big fool!” I cursed my reflection in the mirror. “I hate you so much Alex for doing this to me! You’re wicked! So mean!” I tell no one in particular. The dress I'd saved up money to buy just to look good for him was now an ordinary fabric to me. I stared at me in the mirror in anger and pain. “Stupid dress!” I ripped the hem off with my bare hands. Next I went for the pair of scissors in my bedside drawer and impatiently tore the dress off my body. Leaving it a shredded mess on the floor, I walked to my wardrobe and put on some comfy
“What did you do to her?!” Alex yelled at me as he went to a screaming Isabelle… that’s what I’d heard him call her. “Nothing.” I was at loss for words. I had not even touched her. She was the one who had made it seem like I pushed her. “Why are you lying?! I saw your hands on her!” He yelled. “Stop yelling at me Alex. I did nothing to her.” Why would he not believe me? Did he value her that much? Was he in love with her that much? “I’m sorry, Isa. I need to take you to the hospital.” Alex began to lift her into his hands. “Please take me to Cross Star Hospital, I know the owner, he’s my doctor. Please, take me there.” Isabelle requested, still screaming and crying like the world had come crashing on her. She was being melodramatic. “Don’t just stand there! Make yourself useful and get me my car keys!” He harshly ordered. I almost jumped out of my skin in fear, but went to do as he’d said. I went to grab his car keys and followed him into his car and all the way to the
The doors of the cell opened. “You have a visitor.” The female officer announced to me. I didn’t say anything, just stood and followed her to the room where prisoners received guests. There was Alex waiting for me. I took the bench opposite him, the female officer gave us privacy to talk but was still present in the room. “How’s cell life been for you, Lyvanne?” I heard the taunt in his tone. It made me want to cry that the man I’d loved for two years could do this to me and feel no remorse. It was really a cruel world and love was quite a pathetic emotion. “Alex, does it give you this much joy to see me suffering?” I couldn’t stop the trembling in my voice even if I wanted to. “If it gave you that much joy to kill my unborn child, then yes.” He replied sharply. I licked my dry lips as I blinked back tears. “I didn't do it, Alex.” “Still denying it, huh? You despicable person.” He sneered in derision. “I am not, Alex. I didn’t do it. Please get me out of here, I beg yo
The clicks of a camera shutter followed me as soon as the door of my vehicle opened. Being a renowned figure was a big achievement for me. It reminded me of the sweaty days and troubled nights I’d sacrificed to ensure I got back on my feet…on my own.I’d spent two years in jail for a crime I never committed and those two years of my life were spent hating the man who had me thrown in that gloomy cell and trying to keep my sanity going. Suffering for a crime one was innocent of was enough to make that person lose their mind but I’d held on to mine because it was the only thing I had left — my mind. I’d channeled it into anger, revenge and making plans on what I was going to do to achieve my dreams and get rich so I would not have to sell myself and my freedom as I’d done in the past. It was five years ago. Three years ago, I’d been made a free woman and my struggle for a better life started. I was just so grateful to have succeeded. Not or have given up despite the overwhelming c
The atmosphere felt stifling, as if the air itself was constricting around me. My heart pounded with anxiety, our faces mere inches apart. "You seem tense. Do you miss me?" Alexander's voice sliced through the silence. I chose to ignore him, fully aware that I wanted nothing to do with someone who had hurt me. I shifted slightly, but he moved closer, pinning me against the wall with his hand beside me. I turned my gaze away. "Don't come any closer, Alexander. You're such a coward," I spat, glaring at him with fury, my fists clenched tightly. "Calm down. We're in the women's bathroom. What do you think people will say if they see two people of different genders here?" he hesitated, brushing a strand of hair from my face, sending chills down my spine. I watched him, a mess of words as he cleared his throat. "It'll ruin your reputation, Lyvanne." I let out a weak chuckle, meeting his gaze. "My reputation is none of your concern. Just take your hands off my hair," I replied sharpl
(Alexander's POV) I felt my heart race as my mother's words replayed in my head. "Why not take Isabelle to the party? Why haven’t you made time for her and Lyvanne? What's going on?" Each conversation with her lately served as a painful reminder of my shortcomings. I felt like I was failing as a son and as a partner. I glanced at James, who was busy drafting an email to Isabelle, sending her the invitation I had promised. I noticed the teasing grin he struggled to suppress behind his usual serious demeanor. He didn’t understand what it was like to be pulled in so many directions, caught between expectations that had never been placed on him. "Why are you being so difficult, Alex?" James asked, looking up at me. "You used to care about this stuff. What’s going on?" I couldn’t respond. I was overwhelmed by a self-hatred that made every breath feel burdensome. The truth was, I couldn’t shake off the memory of that guard’s mocking expression, the way he had looked at me—as if I didn’t
The wheels of the wheelchair scraped against the smooth hospital floor, the sound unnervingly loud as we passed the sterile white walls. Alexander sat still, his hands gripping the arms of the chair as though they were the only things anchoring him to the present moment. I pushed him, my mind racing, my heart pounding. Every step felt heavy, weighted down by the thoughts swirling in my head, the frustration clawing at my chest.People stared, their gazes following us as though we were some tragic spectacle. A part of me hated it, the way their eyes lingered, the judgment they didn't even bother to hide. I could feel their curiosity, their whispers buzzing around us like a swarm of insects. They thought we were some pathetic couple. They had no idea.I didn’t ask for this. I never wanted this.But I couldn’t just leave him here, abandoned, vulnerable. I couldn't ignore him, even though every fiber of my being screamed for me to run, to get away from th
Two days later, I was sitting in that sterile hospital room, feeling more like a prisoner than a patient. The constant beeping of machines and the distant chatter in the hallway felt suffocating. I couldn't stand the isolation anymore. My body still felt weak, and I couldn’t walk without help, but damn it, I was done with this place.The doctor had insisted I stay longer, at least for another day. But what was the point? I was tired of the monotony. Isabelle hadn't even bothered to show her face since the day I was admitted. The only time I heard from her was when she was using my card for her shopping sprees. If it wasn't so infuriating, it might've been funny. But I wasn’t laughing."Mr. Alexandro, you really should consider staying at least one more day," the doctor said, eyeing me over his glasses. "You’re not in the best shape yet."I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need a babysitter,” I muttered, ignoring the slight ache in my chest as I pushed my
I couldn’t believe it. My blood was still boiling, my fists clenched at my sides as I stared at Alexander, his words echoing in my head. How could he be so dismissive? How could he act like nothing was wrong? After everything, everything I had done to make sure Lyvanne stayed out of his life, now she was slipping back in, just like that.I couldn’t stop the heat that surged through me as I took a step closer to him. He had the audacity to look at me like I was the one who was out of line. “What is going on, Alexander?” My voice was shaky, but I wasn’t about to let him see that I was upset. I needed answers. I needed to know why he was acting like this.His eyes flickered, irritation flashing in his expression before he responded, his voice sharp. “What do you mean?”“Don’t act like you don’t know. What’s this about you and Lyvanne? Are you really her shield now?” I asked, the words coming out colder than I intended.I could see it—the moment
Lyvanne stood frozen in the doorway, her hand still resting on the frame as the scene inside Alexander’s room played out before her. Isabelle, as if possessed by some cruel form of desperation, had shoved past her without a second glance and thrown herself at him. The sound of Isabelle’s sobs, her breath coming in sharp, heavy gasps, only added to the suffocating air in the room. She clung to him, burying her face in his chest, as if he were the only anchor in the world.Lyvanne’s breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, everything around her seemed to blur. This is it, she thought bitterly. This is the show they put on for everyone. This is the act that somehow still gets to me.She couldn’t tear her gaze away. It was like watching something painful unfold before her, something she could never unsee. They looked so natural together, so intertwined. Every movement Isabelle made seemed like it was meant to push her out, to push Lyvanne further away.Lyvanne stepped back, her fing
The engine of the car hummed under my feet, but it was the silence that pressed against my chest. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this disoriented. My thoughts were scattered, struggling to piece together the events that led us here. The image of Alexander’s bloodied form kept flashing in my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of him throwing himself in front of me, willing to die for me.I shouldn’t have been surprised. Not really. He had that… quality about him. A kind of recklessness, a willingness to take the consequences for someone else’s mistake. But that selflessness—gods, it was suffocating.It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I had no enemies. I hadn’t done anything wrong in London, hadn’t even had the chance to form a solid opinion of the city before this madness engulfed me. So why had someone been so intent on seeing me dead?I felt the weight of the guards in the car with me. Silent, stiff, their eyes flicking to me in the rea
Lyvanne’s POV I couldn’t breathe.My heart pounded in my chest, drowning out every other sound, every other thought. I was stuck—trapped in this godforsaken alley, and the figure standing before me was a nightmare made flesh. The thief wore a mask that only left the cruel glint of his eyes visible, and those eyes? They were cold, calculating, like he had already decided I wasn’t going to see tomorrow. And then Alexander came in.I didn’t know what he was thinking, but there he was, stepping in front of me, like some kind of knight in shining armor. His stance was strong, unyielding. As if he had the right to keep me safe. But why was he doing this? Why him, of all people? My pulse quickened in confusion and fear, my gaze darting from him to the thief.The thief’s voice cut through the tension. “Move out of the way, boy. I don’t want you. I just want her.” He gestured at me with an outstretched hand, his finger pointing at me like I was some kind of prize to be claimed.I took a step
The room was chaotic. Bullets whizzed by, ricocheting off the walls, the sound of gunfire so sharp it felt like the air was cracking. My heart thudded against my chest, out of rhythm with the madness around me. My breath hitched, and my knees trembled. I had been here before, in a place where danger was a constant shadow, and the sound of a gunshot was the trigger that set off the fear in my veins.I couldn’t move. My legs felt like stone, and my body was frozen in place. I was terrified. The gunfire, the screams, the frantic shuffling of feet... It was too much. Too much. It all blurred into a nightmare I couldn’t escape from.Then, I felt it. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into the safety of someone’s chest. Alexander. His warmth cut through the cold dread that gripped me, but it didn’t ease the terror. I didn’t want to be this close to him. I didn’t want him holding me. But his arms were around me, and he was guiding me through the panic, wa
I was finishing up with the final touches on my outfit, the smooth silk of my dress slipping over my skin like water. The light streaming through the window caught the subtle shimmer of the fabric, and for a moment, I felt the slightest bit at ease. Maybe the day wouldn’t be so bad. It was an art gallery opening, after all. A chance to escape the usual monotony, dive into something that might inspire me—or at the very least, get me out of this suffocating mansion.Just as I was about to step out the door, one of the guards entered my room, his expression taut, his lips pressed in an uncomfortable line.“Your Grace, there’s someone outside requesting to see you. He’s refusing to give his name,” he said, voice low, but with a hint of warning.I paused, my fingers freezing midair as I adjusted my necklace. Who could it be? Vivienne? It couldn’t be her; she’d never pull something so childish. My heart fluttered, a weird twist of dread spreading through me
I stared at the screen of my phone, the call ringing for the third time, each tone echoing in my mind like a warning bell. A part of me wanted to throw the device across the room. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk to him—I simply didn’t trust him, and that feeling was as suffocating as the summer heat hanging in the air. Alexander had a maddening way of worming his way into my head, unraveling my composure thread by thread. It was as if he had a sixth sense for when I was at my most vulnerable, always ready to manipulate the situation in his favor. With his name flashing on the screen, I felt my heart start to race and my blood pressure spike in tandem, a toxic mixture of anxiety and irritation.Drawing in a deep breath, I tried to quell the rising panic. Perhaps I was being overly cautious, but after years of navigating my way through people like him, paranoia had become both a shield and a weapon. It was hard to explain the sensation he invoked in me: a const