CHAPTER 12%
“You’re just the son of a vineyard worker,” Alexander said, his voice cold and cutting. “The same nobody who got kicked out of prep school for fighting.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by Alexander’s provocation. If anything, he looked amused.%
But I couldn’t stand anyone attacking him. Glaring at Alexander, I stepped forward. “Alexander, Marcus is nothing like what you’re saying. And what are you doing here? Trespassing on private property without permission–do you realize you’ve already broken the law?” Hearing the dismissal in my voice, Alexander’s face darkened. At that moment, he completely forgot he had come to win me back, not pick a fight.
“Lauren, I came all the way here myself. Please, stop acting like a child and just come home with me.”
“Home?” I looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Did you get into an accident and hit your head? We’re divorced, Alexander!
Didn’t you see the divorce agreement with my signature on it?“%
Maybe the package had gotten lost in transit. It wasn’t entirely impossible. Just as I was considering printing another copy for him to take back, he had the nerve to say:2
“That ridiculous piece of paper? I tore it to shreds.“%
‘Lauren, I know why you’re angry. The situation with Victoria–it’s been handled. I swear, she’ll never show up and bother you again.”
He took a step closer, reaching out, trying to touch the face he claimed to have longed for day and night.
But before he could, I pushed him away.
Alexander stood there–stone–faced, but I could see it. The crack. The flicker of something in his eyes when I finally said the words that had been rotting inside me for years.}
“If my love for you was ever a hundred percent… then you’ve bled every single point dry.“%
He blinked. Slowly. As if my voice physically hurt him.2
“You married me because it was convenient. Because your father arranged it. That’s ten points off.”
I took a breath. My voice was steady, but every sentence I uttered reopened an old wound.
“On our first anniversary, you were at a hotel with Victoria. You lied about a business dinner. That’s another ten.“Z
“You watched me spiral into depression, thinking it was normal. I asked for help. You said I was being dramatic. Ten more gone.“}
Alexander opened his mouth to speak, but I continued.
“She told me I was just a placeholder. That she was carrying your baby. You didn’t deny it.“2
He flinched.%
“She pushed me into that pool, Alexander.” My voice cracked. “She nearly killed our baby and laughed like she owned you. And you–what did you say? That it was an accident? That I was overreacting? And you made me apologize to her.”
The silence stretched between us like a chasm.”
Behind me, Marcus placed a protective hand on my shoulder, but he remained quiet. This was my fight.
“I kept a record,” I whispered. “Every lie. Every cold shoulder. Every time I cried beside you in bed and you didn’t even turn your head. I counted them all.“2
Alexander opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His hand hovered in the air, uncertain, as if reaching for me could erase it all.
“There’s nothing left,” I said quietly. “Not even hate. You drained it all.“%
His throat moved as he swallowed hard. “Lauren, I know I messed up-“}
“You didn’t just mess up. You made a choice. Over and over again. You chose her.“>
“I’ll fix it,” he murmured, his voice breaking. “I can fix us.”
I stepped back when he reached for me again. “I don’t want to be fixed. I want to be free.“}
“I’m with someone now,” I said, glancing back at Marcus. “And he doesn’t make me feel like I’m hard to love.”
Alexander froze, his face going pale.
“I don’t believe you.“2
“You don’t have to,” I smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “But I’ll make sure you see it.“%
I turned to Marcus, who understood immediately. He cupped my face gently and kissed me–soft at first, then deeper. It was everything Alexander’s kisses had never been. Patient. Tender. Real!
When we broke apart, I could hear Alexander’s sharp intake of breath.
“Six years,” I said, not taking my eyes off Marcus. “Six years I waited for you to kiss me like that. Like you actually wanted to.“%
Alexander’s hands were shaking now. “Lauren, please-*2
“The butterfly tattoo,” I said suddenly, noticing the blood on his white shirt. “You got it, didn’t you? The one I drew for you five years ago.” His eyes widened in surprise. How did I know?%
“You always were predictable, Alexander. Grand gestures when you finally realize what you’ve lost. But it’s too late.”%
I picked up one of the scattered roses from the ground. “Nine hundred and ninety–nine roses. Very romantic. Very expensive. Very… empty.“%
CHAPTER 12
8.26 PM & d
O
I crushed the rose in my hand and let the petals fall
“You want to know the difference between you and Marcus?” I asked. “Yesterday, he brought me a single wildflower he picked on our walk. Just because it reminded him of my laugh.”
Alexander’s face crumpled. “Lauren-“N
“That single flower meant more to me than all your roses combined. Because it came from someone who sees me. Really sees me.“}
Marcus stepped forward slightly, his voice calm but firm. “I think you should leave now.”
Alexander looked between us, desperation clear in his eyes. “This isn’t over.”
“Yes, it is,” I said softly. “It’s been over for a long time. I was just too tired to admit it.“N
As Alexander turned to leave, stumbling slightly over the scattered roses, I called out one last time.N
“Alexander.”
He spun around, hope flickering in his eyes.
“Take the roses with you,” I said. “Give them to Victoria. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the gesture.”
And for the first time in years, I walked out on Alexander Blackwood without any fear.
APTER 12
