Chapter 39

They walked. Roslyn's expression turned serious, her mind shifting gears. "Chris, I need to know where the investigation stands regarding Victoria Volter."

Chris's brow furrowed, sensing the gravity in Roslyn's tone. "What's driving this, Rose? You've been obsessed with uncovering the truth about Alexander's family."

Roslyn's eyes locked onto Chris's, determination burning within. "I'm convinced Victoria's behind everything. William Volter's mysterious death, Grandpa Edger Volter's sudden accident and death... it's all connected."

Chris's pace slowed, his voice measured. "We've been digging, but Victoria's covered her tracks well. The investigators are still reviewing financial records and interviewing witnesses."

Roslyn's jaw clenched. "I need concrete evidence. Something that links Victoria directly to those tragedies."

Chris nodded thoughtfully. "I'll push the investigators to dig deeper. But, Rose, be prepared for the possibility that we might not find anything conclusive."

Roslyn's voice dropped to a whisper. "I know Victoria's responsible. I feel it in my bones. She's been manipulating Alexander, controlling him... and now she's trying to destroy me."

Chris's expression turned resolute. "We'll get to the truth, Rose. I promise."

Roslyn's eyes flashed with determination. "I want to know everything. Every transaction, every conversation, every move Victoria's made. I'll expose her, Chris."

As they stopped at Roslyn's doorstep, Chris's gaze held a mix of concern and admiration. "You're not alone in this, Rose. We'll uncover the truth together."

Roslyn's smile was a thin line, her focus fixed on the mission ahead. "It's time to bring Victoria Volter down."

Chris's expression turned cautious, his voice laced with concern. "Rose, I understand your determination, but now isn't the time to confront Victoria. You're pregnant, and that changes everything."

Roslyn's hand instinctively went to her belly, a protective gesture. "I know, Chris. But I can't just sit back and let Victoria continue to manipulate and harm those I care about."

Chris's eyes locked onto hers, his tone firm. "You're not just thinking about yourself anymore, Rose. You have a baby to consider. Victoria's cunning and ruthless; if she discovers you're pregnant, she'll stop at nothing to harm you and your child."

Roslyn's face paled, her mind racing with the implications. She knew Chris was right; Victoria would exploit any weakness. Her hand tightened around her belly, a fierce determination burning within.

"I understand," Roslyn said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll wait for the right moment. But Chris, I need to keep my pregnancy a secret, especially from Alexander and Victoria."

Chris nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. We'll keep it under wraps for now. Alexander may not want to hurt you, Rose, but Victoria's a different story altogether."

Roslyn's eyes clouded, her thoughts consumed by the danger lurking in the shadows. "I know. That's why I need to protect my baby from them."

Chris's expression softened. "We'll keep you and the baby safe, Rose. I promise."

As Roslyn stepped into her home, Chris's words echoed in her mind. She knew she had to tread carefully, hiding her secret from prying eyes, especially Victoria's. The weight of her responsibility as a mother-to-be settled heavily upon her shoulders.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Roslyn vowed to shield her unborn child from the treacherous world of the Volters, no matter the cost.

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Roslyn lay on her bed, gently caressing her growing belly; her mind wandered to the delicate situation. She wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret from Alexander, fearing he might demand custody of the baby during their divorce proceedings or, worse, try to re-enter her life through their child.

She couldn't bear the thought of Alexander using their baby as a means to control her again, to hurt her and their child emotionally. The mere possibility sent shivers down her spine.

Moreover, Roslyn wanted to shield her baby from Victoria's harmful grasp. She knew Victoria would stop at nothing to harm and exploit her grandchild, just as she had hurt Alexander and others.

Roslyn's thoughts swirled with determination. She must protect her baby at all costs.

"I'll keep you safe, little one," Roslyn whispered, her hand tracing gentle patterns on her belly. "You'll never have to endure the pain and suffering I did."

As she drifted off to sleep, Roslyn's resolve hardened. She would ensure her baby's well-being, no matter what secrets she had to keep or sacrifices she had to make.

"I'll hide you from the world, from Alexander, and from Victoria," Roslyn vowed silently. "You're mine, and I'll keep you safe from those who would hurt you."

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Alexander sat alone in his cabin, sipping whiskey directly from the bottle, his eyes fixed on the memory of Roslyn's smiling face alongside Chris. He knew Chris was just a good friend, genuinely caring for Roslyn, yet a pang of jealousy lingered, fueled by his inability to share moments like those.

He couldn't bear to go home, surrounded by reminders of his downfall—the faces of those who had contributed to his misery. The thought of confronting them was unbearable.

Alexander's hand instinctively reached for his phone, and he scrolled to Roslyn's picture, sent by Tyler from their Paris trip. Her radiant smile in those photos momentarily eased his pain.

His finger hovered over Roslyn's number, and without thinking, he dialed it, craving the sound of her voice. Unbeknownst to him, Roslyn had blocked every number he'd used to try and reach her, tired of his persistent attempts.

However, Alexander wouldn't give up; he'd find new numbers to contact her. Roslyn had resigned herself to his relentless pursuit, aware he wouldn't stop.

The phone rang, but Roslyn didn't answer. Alexander's disappointment deepened. He tried again, and this time, the call connected, only to be met with Roslyn's angry voice, shouting.

Alexander's heart sank; the whiskey's numbing effect suddenly lost on him.

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Roslyn was lost in thought when her phone rang, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen to find Alexander's name flashing, his persistent calls now a familiar nuisance.

She hesitated, knowing ignoring him wouldn't stop his attempts. The phone rang again, and with a sigh, Roslyn answered, her frustration boiling over.

"What's your problem, Alexander?" Roslyn snapped, her voice laced with exasperation. "Why can't you let me have a peaceful night's sleep? Do you even care that I'm trying to move on with my life?"

Alexander's voice on the other end was laced with longing. "Rose, please... I just need to talk to you."

Roslyn's anger flared. "Talk to me? You couldn't even bother showing up for our divorce hearing, but every night, you call me, disrupting my life. Can't you just leave me alone?"

Alexander's tone turned pleading. "I miss you, Rose. I miss our conversations, our laughter... everything."

Roslyn's retort was sharp. "You miss controlling me, Alexander. You miss dictating my every move. You miss cheating on me, lying to me, and breaking my trust. Well, those days are over. I'm done being your puppet, done being your victim."

Alexander's voice dropped to a whisper. "I love you, Rose."

Roslyn's response was icy. "Love? You call this love? Harassing me, disrupting my life? Cheating on me, shattering my heart? No, Alexander, that's obsession. Leave me alone."

The line went silent, and for a moment, Roslyn wondered if Alexander had finally understood. But then, his voice came through again.

"I won't give up, Rose. You're mine."

Roslyn's eyes rolled in frustration. "Grow up, Alexander. I'm not yours anymore. I'm free from your toxic grasp."

With that, she ended the call, blocking Alexander's number once more. But deep down, Roslyn knew this wouldn't be the last time Alexander would try to reach her.

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After ending the call, Roslyn headed to the washroom, tears streaming down her face. Her heart ached from the harsh words she'd exchanged with Alexander, but she convinced herself he deserved it.

Standing before the mirror, Roslyn gently dabbed her cheeks, wiping away the tears shed for Alexander. She wanted to erase every trace of the emotions he still evoked.

Returning to her room, Roslyn glanced at her phone, wondering if blocking Alexander's number was truly effective. Would it make a difference? He'd simply call from a new number.

With a sigh, she unblocked his number. As she was about to place the phone down, a shiver ran down her spine. She sensed a presence in the room, a shadow lurking in the corner.

Her heart racing, Roslyn spun around, but darkness obscured her view. Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth, and fingers pinched her waist.

A figure clad in black, mask and all, loomed before her. Roslyn struggled to break free, but the grip tightened. A hand reached for her throat, constricting her airway.

In a desperate bid to escape, Roslyn's fingers instinctively dialed Alexander's number. The phone connected, and Alexander's voice echoed through the line.

"Rose?" Alexander's voice called out, concern etched in his tone.

Roslyn tried to respond, but the hand muffled her voice. The figure's grip tightened, silencing her.

Alexander's voice grew urgent. "Rose, answer me! What's happening?"

The line remained silent, Roslyn's pleas stifled by the unknown assailant.

Alexander's voice grew increasingly frantic as he called out Roslyn's name, but all he could hear was her labored breathing and muffled struggles. The sound sent chills down his spine.

His eyes widened in alarm, and despite his intoxicated state, Alexander's instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong. He knew Roslyn's new apartment address, and without hesitation, he stumbled out of his cabin.

Grabbing his keys, Alexander rushed to his SUV, starting the engine with a roar. He sped out of the driveway, disregarding traffic rules and weaving through the night streets with reckless abandon.

Cars screeched to a halt as Alexander's SUV swerved past, inches from collision. Horns blared, but he didn't flinch, his focus fixed on reaching Roslyn.

Alexander's heart pounded in his chest, fear gripping him like a vice. He knew Roslyn needed him, and every passing second counted. The phone remained connected, Roslyn's struggles growing fainter.

"Rose, hang on!" Alexander shouted into the phone, his voice hoarse with desperation. "I'm coming!"

The city lights blurred together as Alexander pushed his SUV to its limits, racing against time to reach Roslyn's apartment. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios, but he refused to entertain them.

One thought drove him forward: Roslyn needed him, and he would stop at nothing to save her.

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Alexander's desperate voice echoed through the line, and the attacker slammed Roslyn's phone to the ground, severing the connection. His grip on her throat tightened, cutting off her air supply.

Roslyn's struggles intensified, her legs flailing wildly. Summoning every ounce of strength, she landed a solid kick to her assailant's groin. He doubled over, releasing his grip.

Seizing the opportunity, Roslyn sprang forward, but her attacker swiftly recovered, snagging her arm. She lost balance and tumbled to the floor.

Panic set in as Roslyn remembered her pregnancy. She had to protect her unborn child. With renewed determination, she struggled back, delivering another fierce kick.

This time, she broke free, dashing toward the living room. Her heart racing, Roslyn frantically searched for a safe haven or a means to defend herself.

Her attacker gave chase, but Roslyn refused to yield. Adrenaline fueled her flight as she dodged furniture, desperate to evade his grasp.

She darted toward the kitchen, hoping to find a weapon or a secure place to hide. Roslyn's eyes scanned the room, locking onto a sharp knife on the counter.

Her attacker closed in, his menacing figure reflected in the kitchen window. Roslyn grasped the knife, ready to defend herself and her baby.

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if Alexander would arrive in time. Would he find her alive, or would it be too late?

Alexander burst through the apartment door, his heart racing with anticipation. As he slowly stepped inside, his eyes scanned the ravaged living room. Furniture lay shattered, cushions torn apart, and a faint breathing sound hung in the air, punctuated by muffled sobs.

His gaze followed the trail of destruction to the kitchen, where a chilling scene unfolded. Roslyn stood fRoseen, clutching a knife in her trembling hand, her clothes soaked in blood. A man lay motionless on the floor, his body covered in a crimson stain.

Alexander's eyes widened in horror as he took in Roslyn's state. Her face was pale, her eyes vacant, and her entire being seemed to be in a shock-induced trance. The knife in her hand quivered, as if she were barely holding on.

"Rose?" Alexander whispered, his voice trembling with fear, uncertainty, and desperation. He took a cautious step forward, his eyes locked on Roslyn's, searching for any sign of recognition.

But Roslyn remained transfixed, her gaze fixed on the lifeless figure at her feet. Alexander's eyes darted between Roslyn and the unknown man, his mind reeling with questions. What had happened? Who was this man? Was Roslyn hurt?

Alexander's instincts screamed at him to approach Roslyn with caution, to gently pry the knife from her grasp and pull her into his arms. But his feet seemed rooted to the spot, unsure of how to intervene without exacerbating the situation.

"Rose, my love," Alexander whispered, his voice barely audible, "please look at me. Tell me you're okay."

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