ALEXANDER
Trans mixed with anger clawed at my chest, a suffocating knot of emotions couldn’t untangle. She was gone. I’d lost her
The courtroom felt like it was closing in on me, and all teould do was stand there, paralyzed by the weight of my failure. How could I win her back now? Was there evenachance left?
med, but it was Eliza. Of course, it was her
Helt hands on my arm, gentle but film. Expecting Vanessa, I hamed, I
Her voice, sickeningly sweet, cut through my haze. “You should be happy, Alex Tam. Now that this divorce is over, our wedding can finally happen.“.
Her words jolted me like a stap. My paze locked on her, and the memory of Raina’s voice echoed in my head. Elizatried to hurt Liam the day was kidnapped. I didn’t need further evidence to belleve her. I’d known for a long time what Eliza was capable of.
Tyanked my am out of her grasp, glaring. “And who told you we were ever going to get married?” My voice dripped with disdain.
Without waiting for her reply, I used on my heel and stored out of the courthouse.
“Alex!” my mother called after me. “Where are you going?”
Anywhere away from Eliza,” I mattered, slamming my car door shut before speeding off.
My mind was racing, my emotions a whirlwind of frustration, regret, and anger. I needed air–space to think, to breathe. The car felt suffocating as I gripped the steering wheel tightly and drove aimlessly through the streets. The sun was beginning to dip, painting the city in hues of gold and orange. Most people were heading home to their families or preparing for the evening, but 1? I was spiraling.
Before knew it, I pulled into the parking lot of a small bar, itseon sign flickering as if struggling to stay alive. I didn’t care that it was still early in the day. i needed to drown the storm inside me.
The first drink went down too fast
it burned my throat, but I welcomed the sting. A distraction, however temporary, was better than nothing. By the third drink, my tongue loosened, and I found mell muttering under my breath
“I let her go… like a fool,” I said, barely aware of who could hearme.
A couple of patrons glanced in my direction, but I didn’t care. The words kept spilling out, half to myself, half to the bartender who pretended not to listen.
“She doesn’t even see how much I love her,” I continued, slurring slightly. “More than that stupid Nathan could. He thinks he can just swoop in and take her from me? Our family?”
F
The bartender set another drink in front of me, his expression unreadable. I stared at the amber liquid, the reflection of my tortured face distorted in the glass.
“She’s mine,” I whispered fiercely, gripping the glass. “I want our family whole again. Liam deserves that He deserves to have us together.”
The alcohol wasn’t dulling the ache lll I hoped it would. Instead, it brought every buried emotion to the surface, and soon I wasn’t just muttering–I was ranting
*She kissed him,” I said bitterly, the memory searing like a hot iron. “She kissed him, knowing she was still my wite. How could she.” My voice cracked, and trailed off, staking my head.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed. The bar filled with murmurs of other patrons as the day stretched into evening. The sun disappeared completely, leaving me in the dim, flickering light of my poor choices.
When morning came, a pounding in my head greeted me first. My entice body ached like I’d been nu over by a truck Groaning, I rubbed my temples, trying to piece Together the blurry fragments of the previous night. The bar, the drinks, the regret–it all hit me in flashes, but nothing was cleas. I tried to shift, but something – or someone was beside me. My stomach dropped
Then I noticed the smell. Sweet and overwhelming, like cheap perfume clinging to the alr
My stomach twisted as I turned slowly, praying I was wrong.
But I wasn’L
Lying next to ine, nestled comfortably in the sheets, was Eliza
Her blonde hair was splayed across the pillow, and her ang smile sent a fresh wave of disgust through me.
ituned my head, and my heart stopped. Eliza
“What the hell?!” I screamed, bolting upright and shoving her off the bed.
she landed on the floor with a thead and a shocked gasp. “Ales What is wrong with you?” she shrieked, clutching the sheet around her.
“What are you doing in my bed?” i backed, my voice shaking with disbelief and fury. My gaze darted around the room until it landed on my jacket tossed carelessly on the floor. My head spun, fragments of last night blurring together in an agonizing haze
Eliza stood up, glaring at me. “Why would you push me like that? You were the one who wanted me here!” ||
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