Alexa's POV My mind was a whirlwind of emotions during my drive home. I kept replaying the conversation I had with my mom in my head, every word, every inflection of her voice. Has she always felt this way about Don Antonio? Or was this a recent development, a reaction to the scandal that threatened to engulf us? And then, there was Dr. Jeremy. His kind smile, his genuine interest in my mother… I couldn't deny that he was charming. And my mother, bless her heart, was definitely drawn to him. She wanted him for me. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I couldn't let myself get distracted. I had bigger problems to deal with. Elsie, the blackmail, my father's disapproval… The weight of it all was suffocating. I pulled into the driveway, my hands trembling as I unlocked the door. The apartment felt cold and empty, a stark contrast to the warmth and chaos of the hospital room. I sank onto the couch, the events of the day crashing down on me. I picked up my phone, hoping to se
Don Antonio's POV The hours ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. I paced my penthouse suite, the panoramic night view of the city offering no solace. My phone remained stubbornly silent, the last attempt to call Alexa ending in voicemail. She had been calling me insistently for the last few days, so why wasn't she picking up her calls? Especially tonight when I had planned on surprising her with a romantic dinner. I was getting worried sick with each passing minute. What if something had happened to her? What if the stalker she had been complaining about had finally caught up with her and put her in danger?When I could no longer take it, I called my security detail. "Marco," I said, my voice tight with anxiety, "I need you to do something for me right now if possible. I know you might have already called it a night, but I will double your pay if that's what it would take."Marco, my trusted confidante and head of security, was all business. "I don't mind what time is it
Alexa's POV The image of Dr. Jeremy's charming smile flashed in my mind, even before I noticed the golden rays of the beautiful sunrise. I had spent the previous night after the date battling conflicting emotions – guilt for snapping at my mother, fear for my relationship with Don Antonio, and a strange, unsettling curiosity about Dr. Jeremy. The date had been unexpected. I had gone into it hesitant, unsure of what to expect. But Dr. Jeremy, with his easy charm and genuine interest, had quickly put me at ease. We had spent the evening laughing, sharing stories, and discovering a shared love for old movies and swimming. We had even planned to go swimming sometime next week. It had been a refreshing change of pace, a welcome distraction from the anxieties that had been plaguing me.I slid up from my duvet until my back met the headboard. As I stretched my arms, a strange sense of contentment washed over me. I had actually enjoyed myself. I had stepped outside my comfort zone, and it
Alexa's POVMy hands trembled as I stared at the envelope sitting on my desk. It was plain, unmarked, delivered by Elsie's secretary just moments ago. I knew, with chilling certainty, what it contained. Elsie's threat, "I will do whatever I want, Alexa. This is both a threat and a warning," echoed in my mind.I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the seal. Part of me wanted to ignore it, to pretend it didn't exist. But I knew I couldn't. Elsie wouldn't let me. This was her opening move, a calculated strike designed to instill fear and force me into submission.Taking a deep breath, I tore open the envelope. Inside, nestled amongst crisp white paper, were the photographs.They were damning. The same images of Don Antonio and me, locked in a passionate embrace. The kiss, captured from multiple angles, left no room for misinterpretation. Our faces were clearly shown. My breath hitched. My stomach churned. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. These pictures… they could destroy everythi
Don Antonio's POVThe office, usually a sanctuary of power and control, felt suffocating. Alexa stood before me, her eyes red-rimmed, her face pale. The sight of her distress should have filled me with protectiveness, but instead, a cold fury surged through me. I had spent the night tossing and turning, replaying everything Marco said about her dinner date in my mind. Worry gnawed at me, a primal fear of losing her love gripping my chest.And then, this morning, Alexa was acting as if nothing had happened at all. Her reaction had hit me like a physical blow. Seeing her laughing, truly laughing, with another man, had been a gut punch. It was as if someone had ripped my heart out of my chest. The images burned into my retinas, a constant reminder of her happiness, a happiness that didn't include me. I had wanted to confront her, to unleash the torrent of emotions that had been brewing inside me. But the sight of her distress, the tears welling up in her eyes, shattered my resolve. "
Alexa's POVThe silence in my office was deafening, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall. Don Antonio had just left, leaving me reeling from the shock of seeing the photos, the fear of Elsie's threats, and the unexpected turn of our conversation. I slumped back in my chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. She had seen us, captured our intimacy for her own malicious purposes. The thought of my father seeing those pictures, the scandal that would erupt, sent a wave of nausea washing over me.I sighed deeply, remembering the hideous part of the situation even more pressing – the fact that Don Antonio knows about my date with Jeremy. How the heck did he know Jeremy's name? Had he really sent a spy to monitor us? Shutting my eyes, I sighed again. But then, I thought back to Don Antonio's words, his voice firm and determined. "We'll play her own game," he had said. "We'll let her think she's won. And then, we'll strike back."Hope, a fragile spark,
Alexa's POVThe silence in the apartment was heavy, punctuated only by the crackling of the pizza crust and the clinking of glasses. Don Antonio sat across from me, his eyes fixed on the television screen, but I could feel his gaze burning into me. I shifted uncomfortably, the weight of his unspoken questions pressing down on me. I had to tell him about Dr. Jeremy's invitation, about the work dinner. But the words seemed to catch in my throat, fear choking them back.What if he was angry? What if he misinterpreted my intentions? What if this was the final straw, the thing that shattered the fragile trust we had rebuilt? I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation. "I need to tell you something," I began, my voice barely a whisper.He turned to me, his eyes questioning. "Yes, talk to me, little Alexa?""I… I received an invitation," I stammered, "for a work dinner. Tonight."His brow furrowed. "A work dinner?" he repeated, his voice laced with suspicion. "Wi
Don Antonio's POVI remained beside Alexa, my hand resting lightly on her back, a silent claim of her. Dr. Jeremy, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, chatted amiably with a group of colleagues. He was undeniably charming, his laughter echoing through the lobby, his smile infectious. I watched him, my eyes narrowed, a flicker of possessiveness igniting within me.Alexa, sensing my unease, shifted slightly, her hand brushing against mine. The warmth of her touch, the subtle reassurance of her presence, calmed the storm brewing within me.I glanced at her, my eyes searching hers. She looked stunning, her dress a simple yet elegant affair, her hair cascading down her shoulders in soft waves. She was the epitome of grace and beauty, and the thought of her being with anyone else, even in a purely friendly setting, sent a pang of jealousy through me."He seems like a nice guy," I commented, my voice carefully neutral, "A kind every girl like you would love to have in her corner."Alex
Alexa’s POVThe moment I stepped off the elevator onto the executive floor, the atmosphere felt thick and strange. The usual polite nods and greetings from the staff were replaced by sneaky glances and hushed whispers. Eyes darted away as I made my way towards my father's office, a palpable tension hanging in the air. It was as if I had become an outcast overnight.My former secretary looked particularly uncomfortable. She avoided eye contact, shuffling papers on her desk with unusual intensity."Hi," I said, my voice low but firm. "I need to see my father."She finally looked up, her expression a mixture of sympathy and fear. "Alexa…he's still in a meeting. And he…he really doesn't want to be disturbed.""It's important," I insisted. "Something has happened."She hesitated, glancing nervously towards the closed doors of my father's office. Then, she leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. "It's…it's all over the office, Alexa.""What is?" I asked, a knot of unease tightening in my sto
Alexa’s POVThe news about Don Antonio had sent a jolt of icy terror through me, eclipsing my own immediate problems. My father's anger, Claire's cruelty, losing my job – all of it paled in comparison to the horrifying image of Don Antonio lying injured, fighting for his life.A fierce urgency gripped me. I had to get to him. Miami felt a world away, but the thought of him being alone, hurt, fueled a desperate resolve. My mother, though worried, understood my need to be there. She helped me pack a small bag, her movements efficient and filled with a quiet determination to support me.My first practical step was booking a flight. I pulled out my credit card, the familiar platinum rectangle that had always been a symbol of my independence and security. I navigated the airline's website, selected the earliest flight to Miami, and entered my card details with a shaky hand.Then, the screen flashed red.Transaction Declined.A wave of confusion washed over me. There must be some mistake. I
Don Antonio’s POVI was aware of the sterile scent of antiseptic, the rhythmic beeping of machines, the hushed voices that seemed to drift in and out of my consciousness. They were fighting for me. I could feel it, a tug-of-war between life and the cold embrace of oblivion.My shoulder throbbed with a relentless fire, a constant reminder of the brutal violation I had endured. My vision swam in and out of focus, glimpses of worried faces hovering above me before fading back into the blurry expanse.Then, a memory, sharp and vivid, cut through the haze.The dimly lit study, the air thick with unspoken accusations. Donald stood across from me, his face a mask of anguish and fury. The years of friendship, the shared laughter, the unwavering trust – all seemed to have evaporated, leaving behind a raw, festering wound."How could you, Antonio?" he had choked out, his voice trembling with a pain that mirrored the betrayal I now felt radiating from him.I had tried to explain, to reason, to c
Alexa’s POVThe days that followed were a blur of quiet support from my mother and a persistent ache in my heart. She stayed with me in my apartment, her presence a comforting balm against the raw edges of my despair. She didn't push me to talk, but she was always there, a silent reassurance that I wasn't entirely alone.One afternoon, as I sat listlessly on the sofa, staring out at the city skyline that no longer held the promise of my future, my mother sat beside me, a thoughtful expression on her face."Alexa," she began softly, her voice gentle but firm. "You can't stay like this, I'm not okay with it."I turned to her, my eyes still heavy with unshed tears. "What else is there, Mom? My career is gone." I trailed off, the pain of their rejection still too raw to articulate fully.She took my hand, her touch grounding. "You're talented, Alexa. You have a sharp mind, and you worked hard to build your position at Bavarish Industries. That knowledge, that experience…it hasn't disappea
Alexa’s POVThe first sensation was a dull, throbbing ache behind my eyes and a thick, cottony feeling in my mouth. Sunlight, unwelcome and harsh, pierced through the gap in my curtains, making me groan and bury my face deeper into the pillow.Slowly, reluctantly, I dragged myself back to consciousness. Fragmented memories of the previous night flickered through my mind – the devastating call with Claire, the numbing burn of the scotch, the heavy descent into oblivion. A wave of nausea washed over me, a physical reminder of my self-destructive spiral.With a sigh, I reached for my phone on the nightstand. The screen lit up, displaying a string of missed calls. Several from Don Antonio. My heart gave a painful lurch. He had tried to reach me. Multiple times. There were also a few missed calls from Jeremy, and surprisingly, even one from Elsie.Confusion warred with a lingering sense of dread. Why were they all trying to contact me? Especially Elsie.As I sat up, the room swam slightly,
Don Antonio’s POV The news hit me like another blow, compounding the anxiety that had been gnawing at me since my source confirmed Donald knew. Isabella, in one of her rare moments of cruel satisfaction, had seen to it that the information reached me swiftly. Alexa had been fired. Terminated, effective immediately.The clinicality of the words sent a fresh wave of panic surging through me. Donald’s anger was clearly far more intense than I had even imagined. To cut Alexa off from her career, from her own standing within his empire, was a brutal and decisive act. It spoke of a complete severing of ties, a public denouncement that chilled me to the bone.My first thought, as always, was for Alexa. How was she coping with this? Was she alone? Was she scared? The image of her facing Donald’s wrath, and now this devastating consequence, filled me with a helpless fury. I should have been there. I should have protected her.My hand trembled as I snatched my phone, Alexa’s number already imp
Alexa’s POVThe drive home was a blur of tears and disjointed thoughts. My hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, as I navigated the familiar streets, but the world outside the car window seemed alien and distorted. My father's words echoed in my mind, each syllable a fresh wave of pain.Fired. Just like that. My career, my identity within the family business, the future I had envisioned – all of it ripped away in a single, brutal pronouncement. It felt like a part of me had died in that office, leaving behind a hollow ache and a terrifying void.My whole life felt like it was unraveling. The foundation I had built, brick by painstaking brick, had crumbled beneath the weight of my father's anger and betrayal. What was I now? Just Alexa Bavarish, adrift without the anchor of my family's name and influence.The city lights blurred through my tear-filled vision, each one a mocking reminder of the life I was losing. The familiar landmarks of my daily commute felt foreign, impla
Alexa’s POV The moment I stepped into my father's office, the atmosphere was thick with a cold, simmering rage that was more terrifying than any shouting. He stood behind his imposing mahogany desk, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge, his eyes blazing with a fury I had rarely witnessed. Elsie came in at some point and stood silently to the side, her expression a strange mix of uncertainty and vindication.Before I could even open my mouth to ask what was wrong, what the urgent matter was, his hand shot out with lightning speed. The resounding crack of his palm against my cheek echoed in the sudden silence of the room.My head snapped to the side, a searing pain erupting across my face. My ears rang, and for a disoriented moment, the opulent office swam before my eyes. I stumbled back, my hand instinctively flying to my burning cheek, my eyes wide with shock and disbelief.Tears welled instantly, blurring my vision. My father had never, ever, laid a hand on me in anger. This wa
Don Antonio’s POVThe incessant lapping of the waves against the shore, once a source of fragile peace, now sounded like a relentless drumbeat, each crash echoing the anxiety that gnawed at me. Isabella's threat hung heavy in the air, an unspoken certainty that had poisoned the villa's peacefulness.Days had passed since her outburst, each hour stretching into an eternity of nervous anticipation. I had tried to distract myself, to focus on my recovery, but the gnawing unease was a constant companion. Donald's silence was deafening, more terrifying than any angry confrontation.Finally, I could bear the uncertainty no longer. I reached out to a trusted source, someone within Donald's inner circle, someone whose loyalty, though carefully cultivated, I believed I could still rely on. The call was brief, the words clipped and carefully chosen."The information you requested, Don Antonio," the voice on the other end said, devoid of any personal inflection. "It is confirmed. Mr. Bavarish is