Julian froze for half a heartbeat, startled by the vulnerability in her tone.He cleared his throat, forcing himself to speak.“Alexis? It’s Julian.”There was a pause on her end, and for a moment, he wondered if she might hang up.But then she spoke, her voice a mix of surprise and something he couldn’t quite place.“Julian... Hi. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you.”He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I hope I’m not calling at a bad time.”“No, not at all,” she replied quickly. “I just...” She stopped, and he could almost hear her mind racing through what to say.Julian leaned back in his chair, his voice softening. “I heard about the headlines. The rumors.”Alexis let out a small laugh, though it held no humor. “Of course you did. Seems like everyone has.”“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, his tone sincere. “I know how ruthless the media can be.”There was silence on the other end, and he wondered if he’d said too much. But then she sighed, the
Julian stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his tailored navy suit.His reflection stared back at him, calm and composed, but beneath the surface, anticipation simmered.Tonight felt different, and he wasn’t sure if it was because of Alexis or the way her presence lingered in his thoughts.He smoothed his tie one last time and reached for his watch, a sleek, understated piece that somehow still screamed luxury.With a deep breath, he grabbed his keys and headed for the garage.The car he had chosen for the night was one of his prized possessions, a sleek black Aston Martin, its paint glistening under the soft lights.He knew it was a statement, but he didn’t care. If he was going to pick up Alexis Montgomery, it had to be done in style.As he pulled up to her driveway, Alexis stepped out of the house, her figure framed by the warm glow of the porch lights.She wore a simple yet elegant dress that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with heels that added an extra touch
“Julian,” she began, her voice laced with disbelief, “how did you even manage that? I mean, I know your family is... well, your family, but this is...” She trailed off, gesturing vaguely as if trying to encompass the enormity of what he had done.He shrugged lightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Let’s just say I have connections. And I don’t take kindly to seeing people I care about being treated unfairly.”Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and for a moment, she forgot how to respond.Julian cared about her?The thought sent a rush of warmth through her, but she quickly pushed it aside, focusing instead on her astonishment.“Well, thank you,” she said finally, her tone earnest. “I don’t even know what to say. I was bracing myself for weeks of dealing with this mess.”“You don’t need to thank me,” Julian said, his tone firm. “Just promise me you’ll stop reading those tabloids. They’re trash.”Alexis laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Deal. Though I’m still trying to wra
The tension between them crackled in the air, but the man seemed to sense he was outmatched.With a muttered curse and a dismissive wave, he turned and stomped off into the crowd.Alexis let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, looking up at Julian with wide eyes. “Wow. That was... intense.”Julian turned to her, his expression softening. “Are you alright?”She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah. Thanks for stepping in, Mr. Devereux.”He smirked. “What else am I here for, Miss Montgomery?”Alexis laughed, the tension melting away. “You know, you’re pretty good at this whole ‘knight in shining armor’ thing.”“I prefer to think of myself as a gentleman,” Julian said with a playful shrug.“Well, whatever you call it, I appreciate it,” Alexis said, her voice sincere. “Though I can usually handle myself.”Julian raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Oh, I have no doubt about that. But every now and then, even the strongest people need someone in
As they moved onto the dance floor, the rhythmic bass of the music enveloped them.The flashing lights painted Alexis and Julian in shifting hues of red and blue, the energy of the crowd pulsating around them.Alexis grinned as Julian attempted to mimic her fluid moves, his reserved nature making it almost comical.She grabbed his hands to guide him, laughing as he finally managed to loosen up.“You’re getting better,” she teased, her voice raised over the music.“Don’t lie to me,” Julian retorted with a smirk, his deep voice carrying just enough charm to make her laugh even harder.For a moment, they swayed together, the world narrowing to just the two of them.Alexis’s gaze softened, her laughter fading as her mind began to spin with the weight of everything happening in her life.She stopped mid step, pulling Julian toward a quieter corner of the dance floor.“What’s wrong?” he asked, concern flashing in his eyes.Alexis bit her lip, hesitating. “I need to ask you something, and I
They stayed on the dance floor a while longer, their movements slower and more natural now.Alexis felt a strange mix of lightness and security in Julian’s arms, as if, for once, she wasn’t carrying the weight of the world alone.As the night went on, she couldn’t help but steal glances at him, wondering how someone like Julian Devereux had managed to step into her life and turn it upside down.And somewhere in the back of her mind, she realized that this contract marriage, what had started as a desperate solution to a public disaster, might just become something far more complicated.As the hours ticked by, Alexis found herself relaxing more than she had in weeks.The tension from her confrontation with Ryan, the constant scrutiny of the media, and the pressure from her family all seemed to melt away in the dimly lit, lively atmosphere of the club.The music pulsed around her, but it was the company at her table that anchored her.Julian, calm and composed as ever, sat across from he
As the car pulled away from the curb, Julian glanced over at Alexis, who was slumped against the window, her flushed cheeks a telltale sign of the evening's indulgence.“You hanging in there?” he asked gently, his tone laced with concern.Alexis groaned in response, barely lifting her head. “I’m fine,” she mumbled, waving a hand dismissively.But her body betrayed her. Moments later, she lurched forward, clutching her stomach.Julian’s instincts kicked in as he quickly parked by the side and reached for the bottle of water on the console, but it was too late.The sound of Alexis retching filled the car, followed by the unmistakable splatter on the pristine leather seats.Julian winced but immediately leaned over to steady her, holding her hair back as she emptied the contents of her stomach.“Oh no,” Alexis groaned, her voice weak and filled with embarrassment. “Your car... I ruined your car.”Julian shook his head, his hand resting gently on her back as she slumped against the seat a
Alexis stirred awake, her head still heavy but not as disoriented as the night before.The soft scent of freshly brewed coffee tickled her senses, drawing her attention to the dining area of the suite.Julian was seated by the window, sunlight streaming in and highlighting the sharp contours of his face.His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his tousled hair giving him an effortlessly charming look.He sipped his coffee leisurely, glancing over a tablet in his hands.Alexis blinked, momentarily captivated.He looked so... put together, so at ease. And here she was, still trying to remember how she’d managed to ruin his car and end up on his couch.As if sensing her gaze, Julian looked up.A slow smile spread across his face. “Morning, sleepyhead.”She groaned, running a hand through her tangled hair. “Don’t call me that.”“Would you prefer ‘party queen’? Or maybe ‘car wrecker’?” he teased, his tone light.Alexis grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him, but Julian caught it effortles
Alexis arrived at the company with a renewed sense of focus. She pushed aside the pounding in her head, the exhaustion in her bones.The crisis with Moreau wasn’t over yet.And if there was one thing she did know, it was that she needed to deal with this before Julian could interfere any further.As she stepped into the office, her assistant rushed toward her.“Miss Montgomery, you’re here,” Her assistant said breathlessly. “I was worried when I didn’t hear from you last night.”Alexis forced a small smile. “I’m fine. What’s the update?”She hesitated, concern flickering in her eyes. “We managed to stall the media fallout, but Moreau’s people are already moving to cover their tracks.”Alexis’s jaw tightened. “That’s not surprising. He was too confident last night. Someone is backing him.”The assistant nodded. “I did some digging, and…” She lowered her voice. “It looks like Charlotte Wainwright is involved.”A sharp chill ran down Alexis’s spine.Charlotte.Of course.A bitter smile c
By the time they reached the suite, her vision was blurring at the edges.Julian carried her straight into the bedroom, lowering her onto the bed with a gentleness that surprised her.She let out a weak breath as she sank into the mattress, the exhaustion pulling at her like an anchor. But then she felt his hands on her shoulders, his fingers brushing against her face.“Alexis,” he called her name again, but it was distant, like an echo. “Hey, stay with me...”But she was already slipping under, the drug finally winning the battle she had fought so hard to resist.The last thing she heard before the darkness took over completely was Julian cursing under his breath.And then, nothing.Julian sat on the edge of the bed, his fists clenched as he watched Alexis succumb to the effects of the drug.Her breathing was even, but her face was pale, her usually sharp eyes shut, her body still.His stomach twisted.He had arrived just in time, but just in time wasn’t good enough. She had still be
Alexis drifted in and out of consciousness, her body feeling sluggish and heavy. She struggled to focus, but her mind was wrapped in a thick fog, making it nearly impossible to process what was happening.The last thing she remembered was the club, Mr. Moreau, the drugged drink. And then...She tensed, realizing she wasn’t on the ground. Someone had caught her. Someone was holding her.Her breath hitched as she forced her eyes open, fighting the dizziness.A face hovered above her.Familiar.Sharp jawline. Dark eyes filled with something unreadable.Julian.Her heart slammed against her ribs.Was she dreaming?No. This was real."Alexis?" His voice was sharp, laced with urgency. "Can you hear me?"She tried to respond, but her throat was too dry. She felt his arms tighten around her as he pulled her closer, shielding her from the curious stares of onlookers outside the club.He was warm.Too warm.She hated it.Or at least, she told herself she did."Julian..." she finally managed to
Alexis let the silence stretch between them, letting him believe, for just a moment, that his words had sunk in.Then she smiled.Not the soft, vulnerable kind of smile he was probably hoping for.But a slow, knowing, and dangerous one."You really are something, Ryan," she said, shaking her head slightly. "But let me make one thing clear to you." She leaned in, just enough to lower her voice, her gaze unwavering. "I don't need you. I don’t need Julian. And I sure as hell don’t need to be manipulated into fighting battles that aren’t mine."Ryan’s smirk faltered.She stood up, smoothing out her dress. "Thank you for the entertainment, but I think we’re done here."Ryan grabbed her wrist just as she turned."Alexis, wait..""Let. Go."There was no room for argument in her voice, and Ryan hesitated before releasing her.She straightened, exhaling sharply. "Enjoy your little schemes, Ryan. Just don’t expect me to play along."With that, she walked away, leaving Ryan staring after her.Al
Alexis's fingers curled around the edge of the table, her patience thinning by the second. “Cut the act, Ryan. You run from home into hiding after you ran your mouth back home, and now, suddenly, you show up here with him? What do you want?”Ryan let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “Alexis, Alexis, Alexis… I don’t want anything. I just figured, since we’re both here, we should clear the air.”“Clear the air?” she repeated, incredulous. “After you threw a grenade into my marriage?”He sighed dramatically, leaning back against the plush leather of the booth. “Look, I know you’re mad at me. But let’s be honest, Alexis, you deserved to know the truth. I did you a favor.”Alexis clenched her jaw.Her fingers itched to throw the drink sitting in front of her right in his smug face, but she kept herself still.Controlled.“A favor?” she echoed, her voice icy.Ryan’s smirk widened. “You would’ve found out eventually. Julian married you for revenge. I just saved you the heartbreak of fig
In the dimly lit grandeur of her penthouse, Charlotte Wainwright stood by the floor to ceiling window, the Parisian skyline stretching endlessly before her.The Eiffel Tower glittered in the distance, but her mind was far from the breathtaking view.She swirled the deep red wine in her crystal glass, a small, satisfied smirk curving her lips as she took a slow sip.Everything was unfolding exactly as she had planned.Julian would be hers.Not Alexis Montgomery.She had watched for far too long as Alexis paraded around as if she were untouchable, as if she were worthy of Julian’s love. But she wasn’t.Julian had been hers first.She had known him before Alexis even entered the picture, before he became entangled in this ridiculous revenge scheme that had somehow twisted into something real.Charlotte scoffed.Real.As if Julian could ever truly love Alexis.He might think he does, but that’s just because he doesn’t know any better.He was blinded.Confused.And she was going to fix tha
At the Montgomery subdivision office in Paris, Alexis stepped into the sleek, modern office her heels clicking against the polished marble floor.The entire floor was abuzz with tension, employees moving frantically, whispering among themselves, eyes darting toward her as she made her way through the main hallway.She ignored the stares.Right now, she had one goal, to get to the bottom of the crisis that had erupted in this branch and fix it before it spiraled further out of control.She had barely been in the city for an hour, yet her mind was already occupied with balancing two battles, one professional and one personal.She exhaled sharply.The personal could wait.For now, she needed to ensure that the Montgomery name didn’t suffer any further."Ms. Montgomery," her Parisian assistant, Margot, hurried over, holding a tablet in one hand and a folder in the other. "We’ve compiled all the details regarding the crisis. The internal investigation suggests that the issue stems from a b
Ryan nodded solemnly. “Even if you found out the truth, Julian had a backup plan. He wasn’t just going to let you walk away. That’s why he’s after you now. He’s going to twist things, make you believe it wasn’t as bad as it seems. But you know the truth, Alexis. He doesn’t love you. He never did. He just didn’t expect to lose control this soon.”Silence stretched between them.Alexis didn’t just feel hurt.She felt rage.Her nails dug into her palms, her entire body stiff with the weight of Ryan’s words.Julian had played her.Humiliated her.And she had let him.But not anymore.She looked Ryan dead in the eyes, her voice cold as ice. “If Julian thinks he still has control over me… he’s in for a rude awakening.”Ryan smirked.Perfect.Ryan hid his smirk quickly, schooling his expression into one of concern.He needed Alexis to stay angry, to let the fury consume her so completely that she would never look back.“I just don’t want you to fall for his tricks again, Alexis,” he said, hi
Julian stormed out of the Montgomery Group, his head pounding with frustration. He barely noticed the curious stares of the employees as he made his way to his car, his fingers dialing Victoria’s number before he even shut the door.She answered on the second ring. “Julian?”“Find out where Alexis went,” he ordered, his voice sharp and urgent. “I don’t care what it takes. Just get me the details.”Victoria, ever efficient, didn’t waste time with questions. “I’ll get back to you in ten.”Julian ended the call and exhaled, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Alexis had left, but that didn’t mean she had escaped him.Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Alexis stepped off the jet, the crisp Parisian air hitting her as she descended the stairs.The city was bright, alive, and bustling, but for her, it felt muted. Her thoughts were too loud.She handed her bag to the waiting chauffeur, barely paying attention as she reached for the car door.Just as she was about to step inside, a voice fr