My heart filled 136

Chapter 136

The force sent me stumbling back, iny head spinning from the Impact.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” a voice snarled

1 looked up, dared, to see Alex standing there, his eyes blazing with fary.

“Get away from her,” he growled, stepping between us like some kind of knight in shining armor.

Raina clung to his arm, her voice trembling as she said, “Take me home, Mex

I reached it to her, desperation clawing at my chest. “Raina, please, 1—”

po,” she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with emotion

-25 Bonus

the didn’t look back.

I watched helplessly as Alex wrapped a protective arm around her and led her away. No matter how many times called her name, The sting of rejection burned hotter than the pain in my jaw as I stood there, feeling like a complete fool. Now, there was no stopping her from haring When I stepped through the door, my uncle’s voice was the first thing to hit me, sharp and demanding, “What the hell happened to you?”

closed the door behind me, trying to steady my breathing as I rubbed my aching jaw. It didn’t have the energy for this interrogation right now

“It’s nothing.” I mintered, keeping my voice low as 1 walked past him.

“Don’t you dare “nothing” me, Nathan,” he snapped, following me into the room. “You look like you’ve been in a bar fight. Sit downs and explain.”

1 dropped into a chair, my muscles tense as I molded his gaze. How was I supposed to explain this? That I’d lost control in front of Ratna, grabbed her like some desperate fool, and ended up getting punched by Alex? No. He didn’t need to know that.

“It’s Adelaide,” said finally, deciding to redirect the conversation. “She almost got caught. Alex is onto her.”

His eyes narrowed, his expression darkening “I warned you about her. She’s reckless, emotional, Why are we still using her?”

“She’s been useful so far,” I defended, though the words felt hollow even to me. “She just… slipped up

*Slipped up?” he repeated, his tone cold. “A slip–up could cost us everything. You’re too lenient with her, Nathan. We don’t have time for this.”

Helenched my jaw, his words hitting a little too close to home. He was right–Adelaide was becoming a liability. But what choice did I have? She was too deep in this now to cut loose.

He studied me for a moment, his gaze sharp.

“I’m fine,” 1 list, sitting up straighter.

“What’s reall

at’s really going on with you? You’re distracted.”

“You’re lying,” he said flatly. “Don’t let your emotions got in the way, Nathan. Are you falling for her?”

My entire body stiffened at the accusation. “Of course not,” I snapped, my voice harsher than 1 intended.

He leaned back, crossing his as he watched me carefully. “Good. Because we can’t afford for you to get sentimental. This is about revenge, not romance. Don’t forget that,‘

“I haven’t,” I said, though the words felt like ash in my mouth.

He nodded, his tune suftening slightly. “Your parent’s anniversary is coming up.

We need to act before the Grahams regroup. Time is running out.”

I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in He was right–if I wanted to destroy the Grahams, I needed to move fast.

But as much as I hated to admit it, my priorities had shifted. I couldn’t stop thinking about Haina the way she looked at Alex, the way she cling to him when she should have been turning to the

In my mind, I cursed myself for losing control. For grabbing her like that. For pushing her further away

“I’ll handle it,” I said finally, standing to leave.

Nathan Do whatever it takes to make this

“You’d better,” my uncle wamed, his voice low. “And stop letting your feelings cloud your judgment. Focus, N happen.”

I nodded, but as I walked away, my thoughts were already spinning I couldn’t rely on charm or logic anymore–Raina wasn’t listening-

III wanted her, I’d have to force her hand.

It was time to make her choose Alex or her kids.

1/2

She might hate me for it, but in the end, whether she liked it or not, she was going to be mine.