Chapter 10

Rose walked away; Victoria's venomous words followed, infuriating Alexander.

"Mother, please stop," Alexander intervened, his tone firm but laced with irritation.

But Victoria continued, her malice unchecked. "She's a manipulative, selfish woman who only cares about herself."

Alexander's patience snapped. "We've signed the divorce agreement, Mother. She'll soon be out of our lives. Let her be."

Victoria's eyes sparkled with malice. "Ah, then this is a celebration! We should party, considering the unwanted daughter-in-law will soon be out of our lives."

Alexander's anger boiled over. "There's nothing to celebrate, Mother. And I won't join in your twisted jubilation."

His voice rose. "I have urgent work to attend to. I'll leave you to your... celebration."

With that, Alexander stormed out of Bellavista, his anger and frustration simmering.

Outside, he scanned the area, searching for Rose, but she was gone.

Alexander's anger shifted to self-directed frustration. Why had he let his family's toxicity get to him?

He should have stood up for Rose, or at least apologized for his family's behavior.

Regret and annoyance swirled within him as he walked away from Bellavista, leaving the toxic atmosphere behind.

"Why does it always have to end like this?" Alexander thought, his mind reeling with frustration and regret.

"Again, my family has hurt Rose. Again, I've stood by and done nothing."

He couldn't shake off the memory of Rose's painful expression as his mother's words cut her down.

"Why can't Mother accept her?" Alexander wondered. "Why does she have to be so cruel?"

The thought of his mother's celebration sickened him. "She wants to rejoice because Rose will soon be out of our lives? What kind of person does that?"

Alexander's mind struggled to comprehend his family's dynamics. "Is this what we've become? A family that revels in hurting others?"

He felt trapped, powerless to stop his family's toxic behavior. "I've failed Rose once again. I've failed to protect her."

Alexander's thoughts swirled with self-doubt and anger. "Why did I let this happen? Why did I let my family's poison consume us?"

He remembered the love he once shared with Rose, now tainted by his family's malice. "We were happy once. Before Mother's interference, before..."

Alexander's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "I should have fought harder for us. For Rose."

The weight of his regret settled heavy on his shoulders. "Now it's too late. Rose has moved on. And I'm left with the guilt of what my family has done."

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They settled into the car, and Chris's anger boiled over. "Rose, I'm so sorry you had to endure that. Alexander's family is despicable. How could they treat you like that?"

Rose's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling. "I've been dealing with their cruelty for years, Chris. It's exhausting."

Chris's face darkened. "Unbelievable. They're heartless, every single one of them. And Alexander...he's something else entirely."

His voice rose in indignation. "Why did he never take your side? Why did he let them walk all over you?"

Rose's shoulders sagged, her words barely above a whisper. "He's trapped, Chris. Trapped in his own family's web of toxicity. He doesn't know how to escape."

Chris's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "That's no excuse. He should have fought for you, for your love. Instead, he let them destroy it."

Rose's tears spilled over, her body shaking with sobs. "I thought he loved me, Chris. I thought we had something real."

Chris's expression softened, his voice gentle. "You deserve so much better, Rose. Someone who'll stand up for you, fight for you."

He reached out, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm here for you, Rose. I'll always be here."

As Chris held her, Rose's sobs gradually subsided, replaced by a sense of gratitude. "Thank you, Chris. Just being with you makes me feel safe."

Chris's hold tightened. "You are safe with me, Rose. Always."

Rose pulled back, wiping away her tears. "You know what, Chris? I'm done. I'm finally free from them and their toxic grip."

Her voice gained strength. "I don't care about Alexander or his family anymore. They can't hurt me anymore."

Chris's eyes sparkled with approval. "That's the spirit, Rose. You deserve to be free from all that negativity."

Rose's smile grew, a sense of liberation washing over her. "I feel like I can breathe again, like I've shed a weight I've carried for far too long."

She turned to Chris, her eyes shining. "Thank you for being here for me and for supporting me through all this. You're my rock, Chris."

Chris's face softened. "I'll always be here for you, Rose. And I'm proud of you for breaking free from their toxic cycle."

Rose nodded, her determination clear. "I'm moving on, Chris. I'm starting fresh, leaving all the pain and heartache behind."

Chris smiled. "I'm right behind you, Rose. We'll start this new chapter together."

Sitting in the passenger seat, Rose gazed out the window, her mind wandering.

"As I leave Alexander's family behind, I'm finally breaking free from their toxic grip," she thought, her emotions tangled.

"But why does my heart still hurt?" she wondered, her eyes drifting to the cityscape outside.

Memories of Alexander flooded her mind—laughter, tears, whispers, and promises. Rose's heart twinged with nostalgia.

"How can I forget the man I loved for so long?" she thought, her inner turmoil evident.

Chris's gentle voice interrupted her reverie. "Hey, you okay?"

Rose turned to him, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

But her thoughts continued, unseen. "I don't love him anymore. I won't let my heart hold me back."

She repeated the words like a mantra, convincing herself. "I deserve better. I deserve love that lifts me up, not tears me down."

Chris's supportive presence enveloped her, a comforting reminder. "I have Chris now, a friend who truly cares."

Rose took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "It's time to let go of the past, of Alexander. My future awaits."

With newfound resolve, Rose faced forward, ready to leave the heartache behind.

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Rose settled into the balcony's comfortable chair, the evening breeze carrying memories of the past.

Her mind drifted to a summer vacation years ago, when Victoria and Aunt Malicia had left for a trip, leaving Alexander alone at the estate.

Lylah had tagged along, but she was too caught up in her own world to bother Rose.

Those were the days when Alexander showed his soft side, hidden from the rest of the world.

Rose's thoughts transported her to the staircase where she had accidentally slipped and fallen.

Pain had shot through her ankle as she cried out, startled.

Alexander appeared out of nowhere, concern etched on his face.

"Rose, oh my god, are you okay?" He'd exclaimed, rushing to her side.

He gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her like a fragile treasure.

"I've got you," he whispered, his warm breath soothing her fears.

For the rest of the day, Alexander never left her side.

He fetched ice packs, propped up her ankle, and even brought her favorite books.

The next morning, Rose woke to find Alexander standing in her bedroom doorway, holding a tray.

"Breakfast in bed," he said, smiling softly.

Pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit—her favorite breakfast.

Rose's heart swelling with affection as Alexander fed her, his fingers brushing against hers.

For that brief period, Alexander was a different person—caring, attentive, and loving.

Lylah would occasionally interrupt, but Alexander politely dismissed her, prioritizing Rose's needs.

Those were the moments Rose held onto—the moments that made her fall deeply in love with him.

But life had other plans.

Victoria and Aunt Malicia returned, and Alexander's soft side vanished, replaced by the distant, cold demeanor Rose knew all too well.

Rose's gaze drifted back to the present, the city lights twinkling below.

She sighed, nostalgia mingling with sadness.

"That was a different Alexander," she thought, "one I'll never see again."

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I sat alone in my office, surrounded by the dim lighting and deafening silence. I couldn't shake off the haunting image of Rose walking away from me, her determined stride a testament to her newfound freedom from the toxic cycle that had consumed us.

My mind relentlessly replayed the moments we shared—the laughter, the tears, and the whispers—all now reduced to mere memories that I couldn't bear to confront.

I poured myself another cup of coffee, the bitter taste mirroring the anguish that had taken residence within me, a constant reminder of all that I'd lost.

The office, once my sanctuary, my escape from the chaos of my family's making, now felt empty and hollow, its walls closing in on me like a prison.

Everyone had left for the day, leaving me to face the darkness alone, but I couldn't bring myself to leave; I couldn't bear the thought of going home to a house that no longer felt like one.

The house, once filled with Rose's infectious laughter, her radiant smile, and her unwavering warmth, now felt like a cold, echoing cavern, a haunting reminder of all that I'd destroyed.

Without Rose, every room felt empty, every corridor a hollow echo of what once was, and the thought of facing those memories, those haunting reminders of my failure, was unbearable.

I took another sip of coffee, the caffeine coursing through my veins like a bitter reminder of my inadequacy, reminding me of all that I'd lost, all that I'd thrown away.

My eyes wandered to the family photo on my desk, Rose's radiant smile standing out amidst the tension etched on my face, a stark contrast to the emptiness that now consumed me.

I remembered the day that photo was taken, Rose's whispered words in my ear making me laugh, happy times, times I'd never experience again, times I'd squandered.

The coffee burned my tongue, but I didn't care; I needed something, anything, to numb the ache within, to dull the pain that threatened to consume me whole.

As the hours ticked by, the darkness outside seemed to seep into my soul, enveloping me in its cold, unforgiving embrace, trapping me in this abyss of regret and longing.

I was alone, in every sense of the word, alone in my grief, alone in my guilt, alone in my despair.

Alexander's thoughts swirled with jealousy as he envisioned Rose with another man, but he swiftly reminded himself to trust her character. "She's not a woman of questionable morals," he thought.

"No, I want her back, at any cost. I want my wife. I don't want this divorce." His heart pounded with determination.

"Was Tyler right? Does Rose still have feelings for me? I know she hates me now, but I want to win her back." Alexander's mind raced with possibilities.

Lost in thought, he didn't notice his phone ringing until the caller ID caught his eye. For the first time in his life, he felt an overwhelming surge of happiness.

A bright smile spread across his face as he answered, eager to hear Rose's voice. "Hello?"

"Hi, Alexander. Do you have free time tomorrow?" Rose's melodious tone sent his heart racing like a teenage boy talking to his crush.

"Why?" Alexander attempted to sound serious, but his excitement betrayed him.

"We have to reach the government court tomorrow at 10 am to proceed with the divorce. I expect you to be punctual, as always. Don't keep me waiting. The sooner this is over, the better for both of us." Rose's words cut through Alexander's euphoria.

He felt like he'd been slapped. His smile vanished, replaced by shock and disappointment.

"Did you call me only for this?" Alexander's voice betrayed his hurt.

"Yes, Mr. Valtor." Rose's icy tone stung.

The line went dead. Alexander stared at his phone, unable to believe his wife could be so cold.

The silence that followed was deafening, a harsh reminder of the chasm between them.

Alexander's eyes remained fixed on the phone, his mind reeling from Rose's abruptness.

He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his earlier excitement replaced by despair.

"How could she be so cold?" he wondered.

The warmth in her voice, the gentle tone he'd imagined, was just a cruel illusion.

Rose's words echoed in his mind: "The sooner this is over, the better for both of us."

Did she truly mean that?

Was she that eager to erase him from her life?

Alexander slumped back in his chair, defeated.

His phone slipped from his grasp, landing with a soft thud on the desk.

He buried his face in his hands, the weight of his mistakes crushing him.

"Why did I let it come to this?" he thought, regret and longing swirling together.

The darkness outside seemed to close in around him, suffocating him.

Alexander's thoughts spiraled downward, lost in a sea of despair.

He didn't notice the tears welling up in his eyes, didn't notice the silence around him.

All he knew was the ache in his heart, the longing for Rose that refused to fade.

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