Chapter 22

It was a serene Saturday night, the warm glow of the dinner table candles casting a golden ambiance over the opulent dining room.

Alexander and his mother, Victoria, sat at the table, the tension between them palpable.

Alexander glanced at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time, his eyes scanning the room for Roselyn's presence.

Victoria's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with disapproval.

"Roselyn's late, as usual," she said.

Just then, Roselyn appeared in the doorway, her stunning figure clad in a sleek black dress.

Her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night, and her full lips curled into a mysterious smile as she caught Alexander's eye.

However, instead of joining them at the dinner table, Roselyn merely nodded in greeting before making her way towards the entrance hall.

Alexander's brow furrowed in concern as he pushed back his chair, his voice low and questioning.

"Where are you going this time?"

Roselyn's smile grew wider as she slipped on her coat, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Club," she replied, her voice husky and confident.

Victoria's eyes flashed with indignation.

"Really, Roselyn, clubbing at this hour?"

Roselyn's laughter was like music, her shoulders shrugging nonchalantly.

"I feel like it, so I'm going," she said, her gaze never leaving Alexander's.

"I didn't ask for permission from you guys."

With that, she turned on her heel and glided towards the door, her stilettos clicking on the marble floor.

Alexander's instincts screamed at him to stop her, to demand an explanation, but something in Roselyn's demeanor stayed his words.

He watched, fRoseen, as she slipped into her car and drove away into the night.

Only then did Alexander push back his chair, his jaw set in determination.

"I'm going to my wife," he announced, his eyes locking onto Victoria's.

Victoria's face twisted in disdain.

"That gold digger has cast some sort of spell on you, Alexander," she spat.

"You're under her control, and it's pathetic."

Alexander's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes flashed with warning.

"I'll deal with this, Mother," he said, his voice low and even.

And with that, he turned and left, disappearing into the night, leaving Victoria's venomous words hanging in the air.

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Roselyn sat alone at a sleek, black-lacquered table in the vibrant club, nursing a crystal glass filled with amber liquid that sparkled under the pulsating lights.

She had never set foot in this club before, but tonight she felt an overwhelming urge to break free from the suffocating tension at home.

Her eyes scanned the crowded room, her gaze lingering on the laughing faces and swaying bodies, but her mind remained focused on one person—Alexander.

She was doing all this to annoy him, to shake off the suffocating possessiveness that had been suffusing their marriage.

As she sipped her drink, the bitter taste mingled with a sense of satisfaction.

Little did she know, Alexander had already arrived at the club, his eyes scanning the room until they locked onto Roselyn's solitary figure.

However, he deliberately kept his distance, sitting at a table shrouded in shadows, ensuring Roselyn wouldn't catch sight of him.

He didn't want her to think he was following her; he didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing she'd gotten under his skin.

Alexander's purpose was singular—to protect Roselyn, to keep her safe without stifling her freedom.

He watched, his eyes never leaving her, as she laughed and chatted with the bartender, her carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the tension that had been simmering between them.

Alexander's jaw clenched, his fingers drumming a slow rhythm on the tabletop as he struggled to rein in his instincts.

He wanted to march over to her to whisk her away from the prying eyes and potential dangers lurking in the crowded club.

But he resisted, letting Roselyn have her space, her moment of rebellion.

For tonight, at least, he would let her think she was calling the shots and that she was asserting her independence.

Little did she know, Alexander's eyes would be watching over her, ever vigilant, until she was safely back home.

As the night wore on, Roselyn's laughter grew louder, her smile brighter, as she sipped her drinks, lost in the pulsating rhythm of the music.

Her solitude hadn't gone unnoticed, and soon, a trail of admirers began to gravitate towards her, drawn by her radiant beauty.

But Roselyn remained aloof, her gaze politely dismissing each would-be suitor, her body language screaming "unavailable."

Alexander watched, his eyes never leaving her, his chest swelling with pride.

He was thrilled to see Roselyn standing firm, refusing to be swayed by the attention.

Each rejection only strengthened his resolve to protect her, to keep her safe from those who would seek to take advantage.

As Roselyn drained her glass, she pushed back her chair, her unsteady legs betraying the effects of the alcohol.

Alexander's instincts screamed at him to intervene, but he remained rooted, letting Roselyn maintain her illusion of control.

She stumbled towards the washroom, her steps faltering.

That's when he saw him—the same man Roselyn had rejected earlier, his eyes flashing with malice as he stepped into her path.

"Hey, beautiful," he slurred, his hand reaching out to grasp Roselyn's arm.

Roselyn's eyes flashed with annoyance, but her words slurred, her coordination compromised by the alcohol.

"Leave me alone," she tried to say, but her voice barely registered above a whisper.

Alexander's jaw clenched, his muscles coiling, ready to spring into action.

Just as the man's grip tightened on Roselyn's arm, Alexander pushed back his chair, his eyes locked onto the scene unfolding before him.

Meanwhile, a striking woman with piercing green eyes had sauntered over to Alexander's table, her smile inviting.

"Mind if I join you?" she purred.

Alexander's response was curt, his gaze never leaving Roselyn.

"I'm taken," he said, his voice firm, his ring finger prominently displayed.

The woman's smile faltered, and she beat a hasty retreat.

Alexander's focus remained fixed on Roselyn, his heart racing with anticipation.

He knew he had to act to rescue Roselyn from the precarious situation unfolding before him.

The man's audacity knew no bounds as he reached out to stroke Roselyn's hair, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

Revulsion coursed through her veins, and with a surge of adrenaline, Roselyn pushed the man away, her palms flat against his chest.

Undeterred, the man tried to grasp her hand, but Roselyn's instincts kicked in, and she managed to free herself from his grip.

With a burst of speed, she turned and ran, her heels clicking on the floor as she desperately sought escape.

She knew she'd be overwhelmed if she didn't leave quickly.

Meanwhile, Alexander's eyes scanned the crowded room, his brow furrowed in concern.

Where was Roselyn?

He had lost sight of her in the sea of faces.

Just as he was starting to panic, he spotted Roselyn sprinting towards him, her face pale and frightened.

Alexander's surprise gave way to alarm as he noticed a man hot on her heels.

Roselyn collided with Alexander, her hands grasping his shirt as she looked back at the pursuer.

Alexander's protective instincts kicked in, and he swiftly positioned Roselyn behind his back, shielding her from harm.

The man skidded to a stop, his eyes locking onto Alexander's.

"Give me the girl," he sneered.

Alexander's response was lightning-fast and deadly.

Without hesitation, he landed a solid punch to the man's jaw.

"The girl you're talking about is my wife," Alexander growled.

The man's eyes widened in shock, and he turned tail, fleeing into the crowd.

Roselyn hid herself behind Alexander, her fingers still clutching his shirt tightly.

Alexander gently pried open her fingers, his hand enveloping hers in a soft grasp.

He gazed into her eyes, his expression tender.

She was drunk, her pupils dilated, her gaze unfocused.

Maybe tomorrow she wouldn't even remember what happened today.

"Let's go home," Alexander whispered.

With a gentle tug, he guided Roselyn through the crowded club, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to steady her.

As they emerged into the cool night air, Roselyn leaned into Alexander's side, her head lolling onto his shoulder.

Alexander's heart swelled with love and protectiveness.

He would keep her safe, no matter what.

As soon as Alexander seated Roselyn in the passenger seat and walked around to the driver's side, he noticed she had opened the door and begun walking away, her gaze fixed on the sky.

"Roselyn!" Alexander called out, his voice laced with concern.

But she didn't respond, her bare feet padding softly on the asphalt as she stumbled forward, her heels abandoned on the ground.

Alexander quickly followed, picking up her discarded shoes along the way.

"Roselyn, where are you going?" he asked, his hand reaching out to grasp her shoulder.

But she shrugged him off, her eyes still fixed on some point above, her words slurring.

"Up there... I saw a fallen star," she murmured.

"Catch it, catch it... I want it. We'll display it at home. Its light will make everything beautiful."

Alexander's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Roselyn, what are you talking about?" he asked, trying to reason with her.

But she didn't respond, her gaze still fixed on the sky.

He followed her line of sight, but there was nothing – just the dark canvas of the night.

"Roselyn, there's nothing there. Look, it's just darkness."

But Roselyn's face fell, her shoulders slumping in despair.

"No... it's gone... or someone else found it."

She sank to the sidewalk, tears streaming down her face.

Alexander's heart went out to her.

Her drunken antics were adorable, but they could get her into trouble.

"Roselyn, get up. Let me take you home."

But she refused, shaking her head.

Alexander sighed, gently lifting her into his arms.

"Come on, Roselyn. Let's go home."

Roselyn sat stubbornly on the sidewalk, her eyes fixed on the sky.

"I want that star, right now, right here," she demanded, her voice laced with a childish stubbornness.

"Bring it to me, or else I won't move," she said, her lower lip pouting.

Alexander stood beside her, his expression a mixture of concern and amusement.

"Roselyn, baby, you can't just pluck stars from the sky," he explained gently.

"They're light-years away, and—"

But Roselyn's face scrunched up in determination.

"I don't care," she said, her words slurring.

"I want that star, and I want it now."

She crossed her arms, her bare feet planted firmly on the asphalt.

Alexander knelt beside her, his hands gently grasping her shoulders.

"Roselyn, please get up. You're sitting on the road, and it's not safe."

But Roselyn refused to budge.

"No, I won't move until you bring me that star," she said, her voice firm.

Alexander sighed, his eyes scanning the surrounding area to ensure their safety.

"Roselyn, I promise you, we'll find a way to make your wish come true, but for now, please get up."

Roselyn's gaze remained fixed on the sky, her jaw set in determination.

Alexander's heart swelled with love and concern.

He knew he had to find a way to coax her out of this stubborn streak before she got hurt.

Roselyn's eyes narrowed, her gaze still fixed on the sky.

"You hid my star," she accused, her voice laced with hurt and anger.

Alexander's expression softened.

"Roselyn, no, I didn't hide your star. It's just not possible to—"

But Roselyn cut him off, her words tumbling out in a drunken slur.

"You did, you hid it. You don't want me to have it."

Her voice rose, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Why would you do that? It's mine."

Alexander's hands grasped her shoulders, trying to calm her.

"Roselyn, baby, I'm not hiding anything from you. The star is just—"

But Roselyn shook him off, her face contorted in anguish.

"You're lying. You're hiding it. Give me back my star."

Alexander's heart ached at the pain in her eyes.

"Roselyn, please understand. The star is—"

But she interrupted him again.

"No, no, no. Give me back my star. It's mine."

Her voice cracked, and tears spilled down her cheeks.

Alexander pulled her into a gentle hug.

"I'm sorry, Roselyn. I'll find a way to make it up to you, I promise."

Roselyn's hands pushed against Alexander's chest, her eyes blazing.

"Give me back my star, Mister!" she demanded, her voice rising.

"Or else I'll call the cops!"

Alexander's eyes widened, his hands held up in placation.

"Roselyn, baby, please—"

But before he could finish, a police car pulled up beside them, its tires screeching.

Two officers stepped out, their eyes scanning the scene.

"Everything okay here?" one officer asked, his tone firm.

Alexander's gut tightened.

This was not what he needed.

Roselyn, still furious, pointed at Alexander.

"He stole my star!" she accused.

The officers exchanged a skeptical glance.

"Ma'am, what's going on?" the other officer asked.

Roselyn's words tumbled out in a drunken slur.

"This man, he took my star. I want it back."

Alexander intervened, trying to defuse the situation.

"Officers, I can explain. She's had a bit too much to drink."

But Roselyn's anger turned on him.

"Don't lie! You hid my star!"

The officers' expressions turned serious.

"Sir, can we see your ID?" one officer asked.

Alexander patted his pockets, his mind racing.

"I... uh... I forgot my ID in my room," he admitted.

The officers exchanged a dubious glance.

"Alright, you're both coming with us," one officer said.

Alexander's heart sank.

"To the police station?" he asked, alarm rising.

The officer nodded.

"Yes, we need to sort this out."

Roselyn's eyes sparkled with triumph.

"Ha! You're in trouble now, star-thief!"

Alexander shot her a warning glance.

"Roselyn, stop. This isn't helping."

The officers stepped forward, handcuffs at the ready.

"Let's go," one officer said firmly.

Alexander knew he had to think fast to get out of this mess.

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