In his dimly lit home bar, Alexander slumped onto a barstool, his grip on a whiskey glass betraying the turmoil within him.The amber liquid swirled as he stared into its depths as if seeking answers within its confines.The scene from Maria Clint's party replayed in his mind like a broken record, the memory of Camilla's kiss with Edward etched painfully into his consciousness.The news of her engagement to the same man felt like a cruel twist of fate, a blow to his already wounded heart.With a mix of desperation, anger, and hurt coursing through him, he downed the whiskey in one swift motion, his frustration echoing in the sound of the glass meeting the counter.The bottle of whiskey beckoned to him, offering a temporary solace, and he seized it without hesitation.The warmth of the liquid brought momentary relief as it cascaded down his throat, only to be replaced by a searing burn that mirrored the ache in his chest as he set the bottle down with an audible thud.His gaze turned v
Camilla's voice caught in her throat, and she struggled to find the right words.Her gaze wavered, unable to hold his piercing stare as her mind raced to make sense of her own emotions."Yes, I do love him," she finally managed to say, her voice soft yet resolute as she met his gaze once more, her eyes locking onto his intense blue orbs.His grip on the counter seemed to tighten, and the scoff that escaped his lips sent a shiver through her. "You're lying..."Camilla's heart ached as she felt the weight of his doubt.Her emotions were a chaotic mix, and her resolve was weakening with each passing second."No, I'm not," she said through clenched teeth, her voice laced with defiance."Then look me in the eyes and repeat these exact words; 'Alexander...I'm marrying Edward Caruso because I'm in love with him...and only him,'" he challenged, his gaze unwavering, searching for any hint of truth in her eyes.Camilla's heart raced, her gaze locked onto Alexander's with a mixture of intensity
"He is uh...." She trailed off for a few seconds trying to figure out how to complete her hastily concocted story."He had much to drink last night and...umh...rang on my bell....long story short he ended up falling asleep here." She blurted out, hoping her lie sounded somewhat plausible.Edward arched an eyebrow, "Couldn't you have called...I don't know… maybe his family...or someone to help you get him out. And why would he even ask you to come back to the bed?" Camilla felt a flush of panic at the unexpected turn of the conversation. She quickly tried to salvage her story, her mind racing to come up with a reasonable explanation."Oh, well, you see, he lives alone, and he doesn't really have anyone else to rely on. As for the bed thing, he's a heavy sleeper and probably just mumbled something in his sleep. You know how it is."Edward's expression shifted from curiosity to a mix of skepticism, "Can I come in?" he asked again, his voice tinged with a hint of growing irritation.Cami
The amber glow of the setting sun painted the elegant Parisian skyline with warm hues, casting a serene and contemplative atmosphere over the city.In the heart of this charming metropolis, Camilla found herself in the inviting home of her therapist, Dr. Blackwell.The room exuded comfort, with soft lighting and tastefully arranged decor that put her at ease.Seated in a cozy swivel chair, Camilla clutched a tissue in her hand as tears streamed down her face.Her therapist, Dr. Blackwell, occupied a chair opposite hers, providing a reassuring presence that gave Camilla the space she needed to let her emotions flow freely.After a few moments of tearful silence, the seasoned therapist broke the silence, her eyes locked onto Camilla. "So you slept with him?" Her voice carried a mix of empathy and curiosity.Dr. Blackwell's gaze never wavered as she held Camilla's gaze, her expression a mixture of patience and empathy.She waited for Camilla to respond, but when the silence stretched lon
Edward sat in his car, his grip on the steering wheel tight as he drove through the city's bustling streets.The world outside seemed to blur as his mind remained fixed on the incident that had unfolded earlier in the morning at Camilla's house.The weight of the emotions he had experienced was heavy, and his thoughts kept replaying the scene over and over.For a man who usually maintained his composure, today had been different. He had lost his cool in front of Camilla, revealing a side of himself that he rarely let anyone see.But he couldn't help it, the hurt he felt was too raw to be contained.How could she have done something like that to him? That question echoed in his mind, each repetition digging the knife of betrayal a little deeper.He had trusted her, believed in her words and actions, and now he was left questioning everything.The memory of her disheveled state, clothed in a mere robe and Alexander's half-naked form was an image that haunted him throughout the day.He h
At the hospital, the sterile white walls and the incessant beeping of machines created an ambiance of tension and uncertainty.Camilla sat by the hospital bed, her eyes fixed on Alexander's motionless form.The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, aided by the oxygen mask, brought a wave of relief washing over her, but it was quickly followed by a surge of fear that threatened to overwhelm her.What if the situation had been worse?...What if he had died in that fire?... The thought gnawed at her, tormenting her with its possibilities.She couldn't help but question herself inwardly, wondering if she had let her anger and frustration get the better of her.The bitter fights over their divorce, the blame he had placed on her for the loss of their child - it all felt so insignificant in the face of this near tragedy.Her hand trembled as she reached out, her fingertips barely grazing his forehead.Gently, she brushed away the stray streaks of hair that fell across his face, her touch inf
Camilla stood on the balcony, the city's sparkling night skyline spread out before her like a sea of stars.Her eyes were brimming with tears, their shimmer mirroring the city lights."So he's dead?" Her voice trembled, her words breaking through the stillness of the night with a hint of anger beneath the sadness."Yes..." Alexander's voice came from behind her.He had been discharged from the hospital two nights ago, and although he had dreaded this conversation, he knew it was time to confront the past and reveal the painful truths that had led to their divorce especially since she was finally giving him a chance to explain.He moved closer to Camilla, his hair tousled by the cold breeze of the night.After a moment of hesitation, he began, "Camilla, I need you to know that I never wanted things to turn out this way. Red Saint...he was a lunatic, and all I wanted was to keep you safe."Camilla finally turned to face him, her face etched with pain and anger, tears streaming down her
Camilla awoke the next morning to the comforting sight of Alexander lying bare under the sheets beside her, softly snoring, his warm chest pressed snugly against hers.A tender smile spread across her face as she delicately ran her fingers through his tousled bedhead, marveling at the serene expression on his face in slumber.A sense of peace and contentment enveloped her now that they had reconciled, and she decided to rise without disturbing him.As she sat up, some of the covers slipped away, revealing a glimpse of her bare body. She stretched luxuriously, stifling a yawn to avoid waking Alexander.With a graceful glide, she slipped out of bed, shivers dancing across her skin as the chilly air caressed her.Emitting a soft groan, she fetched a robe from the wall hook and made her way to the bathroom.Connected to the bathroom was the walk-in closet, and after her bath, she wrapped herself in a large fluffy towel.Her damp hair hung loosely around her shoulders as she quietly padded