Jean's arms wrapped around Alexa from behind, giving her warmth against the cold doubts that had taken hold in her heart. He whispered softly, "Come back to me, my love." His voice had a small order with some desperation in it. It felt like the whole world was just that hug, and her back against his heartbeat.Alexa said, "I... can't, really. Our relationship is a disaster... and this baby is an apocalypse to your family," her voice shaking. "I don't know what to do," she said again, with each word getting more broken than before. "It's alright. I will do everything to protect you. I will... I will sacrifice anything for the sake of your happiness. I will die for you if I have to."He turned Alexa around and slowly made her look towards him. His eyes looked deeply into hers, searching for a sign that she felt the same way with him. But Alexa, caught up in the storm of her thoughts, could only shake her head. Her big eyes showed the confusion she was feeling inside herself. She tried

Lady Renata tiptoed towards the bed, holding firmly onto her dagger with every soundless step. It was heavy with the weight of her purpose in that room. She crawled towards the edge of the bed and stood over this figure which was under a blanket. She spoke out in a rage “I trusted you, and you betrayed me? How could a wench like you dare to hurt a lady like me.” Her voice was trembling.Wasting no time Renata lifted the dagger high. She snarled “You deserved to die, bitch. The appropriate punishment for a commoner who betrays his queen is death.” and came down on her with the blade. It went through the blanket where the girl’s body lay. The dagger stabbed her once, then twice, then several times. Each thrust was pierced accompanied by an outburst of her rage and vengeance. “You destroyed my relationship with Jean! You have to die. Die most painfully. Die. Die. Die.”Renata’s breakdown had a soundtrack of muted thuds as the fabric absorbed blows. “You knife me in the back, you tricked

Jean's gaze lingered on the earring Dionysus held between his fingers, a sense of recognition slowly dawning on him. "I know this earring," he said abruptly "I gave it to Renata for her 26th birthday." Alexa's breath hitched, the cold realization setting into her bones. "How could it be possible if she were after me?" Gilbert turned to Jean with a questioning look. "Are you certain it's Renata's?"Jean nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely. I remember because it was a custom design." With that confirmation, Gilbert's expression shifted to something dark, something dangerous. While holding Alexa's hand, he walked out of the bedroom to the commotion in the hallway. Then he turned to Renata, who was trying to blend into the background, now getting pale and terrified as Gilbert's murderous gaze was piercing through her doe eyes. His smile at her was cold, devoid of any warmth—a predator's grin."My lady Renata," he called out, his tone deceptively soft.Jean, who followed them behind,

Madam Victoria arrived at the same time Alexa was peering out of a window. Alexa notices her and then bows down to her."Alexa, my darling, where did my son disappear to in this middle of the night?" Her voice was a combination of worry and command for her to answer immediately.Alexa traced the choker, reflecting light, and its brightness stood out against her look of bewilderment.“I... I do not know; he left without saying anything,” she answered.Madame Victoria’s eyes slightly narrowed, a trace of disappointment crossing her face. “It’s so unusual of him to act this recklessly. Gilbert is always difficult, but he isn't Jean, who loves women and nightlife,” she noted, her eyes then settling on the choker that hung around Alexa's neck."That choker... that choker is one of our best items and it was very expensive."Alexa’s hand subconsciously touched the diamonds around her neck. “My lord Gilbert gave it to me,” she said, quietly mulling over the night’s occurrences.Madam Victoria