Chapter 9

Alexander's eyes narrowed, his grip on the phone tightening as he listened to Vincent's words.

"Sir, that man used to be Ms. Carson's friend during college time," Vincent explained, his tone cautious.

Alexander's brow furrowed, his expression darkening. "Wait, you're referring to my wife as Ms. Carson?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of irritation.

Vincent hesitated, sensing the undercurrent of tension. "I apologize, sir. I didn't mean to—"

Alexander's interruption was swift, his tone firm. "The divorce procedure is still pending. She's still Mrs. Valtor."

Vincent swiftly corrected himself. "Sorry, sir. I'll make sure to address her correctly."

Alexander's expression remained stern, his voice still firm. "Continue."

Vincent cleared his throat before proceeding. "As I was saying, sir, this man was Mrs. Valtor's friend during college. After she married you, there's no record of them meeting again."

Alexander's gaze intensified, his focus sharpening. "Who is that man?" he asked, his voice low and deliberate.

Vincent's pause was brief before responding, "CEO of Shine Group."

Alexander's eyes widened, his face pale. "What!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the hallway.

His mind reeled, thoughts racing with implications. Roslyn's friend, now CEO of Shine Group? The connection was too coincidental.

Alexander's emotions swirled—a mix of shock, curiosity, and unease. He needed more information.

"Tell me more, Vincent," Alexander commanded, his tone urgent.

Vincent's voice remained calm, but Alexander detected a hint of wariness. "Sir, I'll send you the file."

Alexander's jaw clenched, determination etched on his face. "Send it," he ordered.

He ended the call with Vincent, and Alexander's mind instinctively drifted back to the mysterious CEO of Shine Group and his connection to Roslyn.

"Did she love him in college?" Alexander wondered, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty. "Was their friendship a mere coincidence, or was there something more?"

He couldn't shake off the feeling that Roslyn's past was intertwined with this man and that their connection ran deeper than a simple friendship.

"Why did they meet again?" Alexander's thoughts persisted; his curiosity piqued. "Was it mere chance, or did Roslyn seek him out?"

Memories of Roslyn's words, her laughter, and her tears flooded his mind, each recollection intensifying his longing to understand her.

"Did she ever truly love me?" Alexander's heart ached, his doubts resurfacing. "Or was I just a distraction from her past, a temporary refuge?"

The questions swirled, a relentless storm in his mind, as Alexander struggled to reconcile his desire for answers with the fragile threads of their relationship.

Roslyn's face hovered before him, her eyes searching, her smile faint. Alexander's soul cried out, his heart heavy with regret.

"What secrets did you keep from me, Roslyn?" he thought, his voice barely audible. "What truths did you hide behind those captivating eyes?"

The silence surrounding him seemed oppressive, a reminder that the truth remained elusive, hidden behind the shadows of Roslyn's past.

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Roslyn sat on Chris's couch, her eyes lost in thought, her mind still reeling from the memories of Alexander.

Chris entered the room, his expression concerned. "Hey, Rose? You've been spaced out for hours. What's going on?"

Roslyn's gaze drifted toward Chris, her eyes clouded with tears. "It's just...Alexander," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Chris settled beside her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. "What about him?" he asked gently.

Roslyn's words spilled out, a mixture of pain and regret. "The way he signed the divorce papers... it was like he was relieved. He never loved me, Chris. He never wanted me."

Chris's hold tightened, offering comfort. "Rose, don't say that. You deserve so much better than someone who can't see your worth."

Roslyn's laughter was tinged with bitterness. "Worth? I was just a convenience for him, a trophy wife. He never truly cared."

Chris's expression turned stern. "That's not true, Rose. You're an amazing person, and anyone would be lucky to have you."

Roslyn's tears fell, her body shaking with sobs. Chris pulled her close, holding her as she cried.

"Hey, kiddo, it's okay," Chris whispered, his voice soothing. "You're safe now. You're free from him."

As Roslyn's tears subsided, Chris offered a gentle smile. "How about lunch at Bellavista? Your favorite pasta?"

Roslyn's eyes brightened slightly, a faint smile emerging. "You know exactly what to say to make me feel better."

Chris chuckled. "That's what brothers are for."

Roslyn's gaze met Chris's, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thanks, Chris. You're the best friend anyone could ask for."

Chris's arm wrapped around her shoulders again. "Anytime, sis. Now, let's get you fed and forget about Alexander for a while."

As they stood up, Roslyn felt a sense of peace wash over her, knowing Chris was by her side.

"You know, Chris?" Roslyn said, her voice softer. "Sometimes I think I was blind to love him."

Chris's expression turned thoughtful. "Maybe you were, Rose. But that doesn't mean you're blind to love itself. You deserve someone who'll love you for who you are."

Roslyn nodded, a glimmer of hope in her heart.

With Chris by her side, Roslyn felt a sense of renewal, a chance to rediscover herself and the love she deserved.

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They drove to Bellavista, and Chris and Roslyn slipped into a comfortable rhythm, sharing college time stories and laughter.

"Remember that time we pulled an all-nighter studying for Professor Harrison's exam?" Chris asked, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

Roslyn giggled, her face lighting up. "How could I forget? You kept falling asleep on my shoulder, and I had to prop you up with pillows."

Chris chuckled, his grin wide. "I was just resting my eyes, Rose. You know, recharging for the next study session."

Roslyn playfully rolled her eyes. "Sure, Chris. That's why you snored through the entire study group."

Their laughter filled the car, a joyful melody that lifted Roslyn's spirits.

"Hey, what about that crazy party at Sigma Chi?" Chris asked, his tone conspiratorial.

Roslyn's eyes sparkled. "Oh, my goodness! I forgot about that. You doing karaoke to 'I Will Survive' was epic."

Chris laughed, his face flushing. "Hey, I was a rockstar that night. The crowd loved me."

Roslyn's laughter deepened. "The crowd was laughing at you, not with you."

Chris feigned offense. "Hey, my singing skills are underrated. I should've been a rockstar instead of a CEO."

Roslyn's smile softened. "You're perfect just the way you are, Chris. CEO, karaoke star, or just my goofy friend."

Chris's expression turned warm, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're pretty amazing yourself, Rose. Inside and out."

Their banter continued, a lighthearted dance of words and memories, as Chris expertly navigated the conversation, keeping Roslyn's mood light and carefree.

For a brief moment, Alexander and the heartache he represented faded into the background, replaced by the simple joy of friendship and shared experiences.

As they pulled into Bellavista's parking lot, Chris turned to Roslyn, his smile genuine. "Ready for lunch and more embarrassing stories?"

Roslyn's laughter was music to Chris's ears. "Bring it on."

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Bellavista's elegant facade came into view, Roslyn's smile faltered, and her eyes clouded over.

Chris, oblivious to the shift in her mood, parked the car and turned to her. "Ready for lunch and more embarrassing stories?"

But Roslyn's mind had already drifted to a painful memory, one that Bellavista's opulent atmosphere resurrected.

She remembered her birthday dinner here, the one she had been looking forward to for weeks.

Her thoughts flashed back to that fateful evening:

Alexander had invited his family to join them, and the evening became a spectacle of insults and contempt.

Aunt Malicia's biting words still echoed in her mind: "You're not worthy of our family's name."

Her mother-in-law's disdainful gaze had cut deep: "You're just a foolish girl, trying to fit into our world."

And Alexander's cousin, Lylah, had snickered, "You're so beneath us."

The worst part was Alexander's silence.

No one wished her a happy birthday.

No one appreciated her effort.

Not even Alexander.

He just sat there, indifferent, as his family tore her apart.

Roslyn's eyes stung as the memories resurfaced.

What Chris didn't know was that she had worn a bear suit for kids' birthday parties all summer to save for this dinner, hoping to impress Alexander and his family.

But now, that secret sacrifice felt like a foolish waste.

"Rose? Hey, you okay?" Chris's concerned voice pierced the haze of memories.

Roslyn forced a smile, trying to shake off the painful recollections. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...bad memories."

Chris's expression softened. "What happened here?"

Roslyn hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just...Alexander's family...they were...unpleasant."

Chris's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh, Rose...I'm so sorry."

He reached out, enveloping her in a warm hug.

For a moment, Roslyn let herself be comforted, letting go of the painful memories and the weight of Alexander's indifference.

As they sat there, Bellavista's grandeur faded into the background, replaced by the simple, genuine connection between two friends.

"Let's go in," Chris said gently. "We'll make new memories, better ones."

Roslyn nodded, her smile tentative but grateful for Chris's unwavering support.

Roslyn stepped into Bellavista; her eyes scanned the room, and her heart sank.

Seated in the corner, sipping champagne, were the last people she wanted to see: her ex-mother-in-law, Victoria, Aunt Malicia, and Alexander's cousin, Lylah.

Their eyes locked, and Roslyn felt a shiver run down her spine.

Victoria's face twisted in anger as she rose from her seat, her designer heels clicking on the marble floor.

"Roslyn, you have the audacity to show your face here?" Victoria spat, her voice dripping with venom.

Aunt Malicia and Lylah flanked Victoria, their faces mirroring her disgust.

"You ran away from my son's house, abandoned your duties, and now you're roaming around with unknown men?" Victoria's tone was laced with accusation.

"You proved yourself to be a gold digger, Roslyn. You only cared about Alexander's wealth and status."

Lylah chimed in, her voice shrill. "You're a shameless woman, Roslyn. You used Alexander for your own gain."

Aunt Malicia added her own barb. "You're nothing but a cheap, opportunistic tramp."

Chris stepped forward, his face darkening with anger, but Roslyn's hand on his arm restrained him.

"Let me handle this," she whispered.

However, when Lylah crossed the line, saying, "You're a worthless, used-up piece of trash," Roslyn's composure snapped.

With a fierce glare, Roslyn slapped Lylah hard, the sound echoing through the restaurant.

"How dare you?" Roslyn's voice was low and deadly. "You know nothing about me or my marriage."

Victoria raised her hand to strike Roslyn, but a firm grip restrained her.

"Mother, stop," Alexander's voice cut through the chaos.

Roslyn's eyes widened as Alexander stepped forward, his eyes locked on his mother.

"Alexander?" Roslyn's voice trembled.

Alexander's gaze flicked to hers, his expression unreadable.

"Roslyn, I—"

"Don't bother, Alexander," Roslyn interrupted, her voice cold. "I don't need your protection or your excuses."

With a fierce determination, Roslyn turned to face Victoria, Lylah, and Malicia.

"I may have married into your family, but I never belonged to you. And I'm better off without you."

Chris stepped forward, his arm wrapping around Roslyn's shoulders.

"Let's get out of here," he said, his voice firm.

As they turned to leave, Roslyn felt a sense of liberation wash over her.

She was free from the toxic web of Alexander's family.

And she knew she would never look back.

"She's a manipulative, selfish woman who only cares about herself," Victoria spat. "She trapped Alexander into marrying her with her fake innocence and charm, and then she had the audacity to leave him when she couldn't get what she wanted."

"She's a gold digger, always looking for ways to exploit our family's wealth and status," Victoria continued, her voice dripping with malice. "She never truly loved Alexander; she only loved what he could provide for her."

"And now she's flaunting herself with another man without even bothering to hide her infidelity," Victoria sneered. "She's a shameless, immoral woman who doesn't deserve our family's name."

"Good riddance to her," Victoria concluded, her eyes flashing with triumph. "We're better off without her toxic presence in our lives."

Alexander's face darkened with anger as he listened to his mother's venomous words, knowing they were unfair and unjustified.

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