There was no doubt in my mind, Victor was definitely flirting with me.
When he saw me emptied my second soup bowl, his whole face lit up. “Alexia,” he said eyes sparkling, “you’re never going to have stomach pain again!”
He sat down on the sofa and was quiet for a while before finally speaking. “Alexia… would you ever consider giving me a chance?”
I choked. Literally. A mouthful of cream soup caught in my throat and I erupted into a coughing fit.
He rushed over and gently patted my back, leaning in close. I could smell the clean scent of his body wash–fresh, warm, a little citrusy. When I looked up, his usually devil–may–care eyes were surprisingly soft, even a little watery.
Just like the golden retriever I had when I was a kid.
And I knew I was in trouble. Because when a woman starts to feel sorry for a man… it’s already too late.
“You and Samuel have already signed the divorce papers…” he said, voice so low it was barely more than a whisper. “So maybe… just think about me. Please?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he stood up quickly. “You don’t have to answer right now. Take your time. I won’t bother you–just call me if… when… you’re ready.”
The moment he stepped outside, I picked up my phone.
I dialed.
“I’m in,” I said simply.
There was a soft chuckle on the other end. [Mrs. Stone… that’s the last time I’ll call you that. Looking forward to working together.]
Not a moment later, hurried footsteps approached and the door burst open.
Victor stood there, breathless. Then he swept me into his arms. God, he smelled good.
My gaze drifted–inevitably–to the open collar of his shirt. My heart thudded faster. And before I could stop myself, I reached up, cupped his face and kissed him.
He froze for half a second, then kissed me back, hard. One arm wrapped firmly around my waist, pulling me closer,
The kiss was deep, hungry.
I finally pushed him back, breathless. “I’m still a patient, you know…”
Victor didn’t let go. He just held my hand tighter, his eyes bright with joy.
“Alexia… I’m so damn happy.”
Honestly? He looked exactly like an overgrown golden retriever wagging his tail in triumph.
Lately, Samuel felt as though a heavy weight pressed upon his chest.
I finally pushed him back, breathless. “I’m still a patient, you know..”
Victor didn’t let go. He just held my hand tighter, his eyes bright with joy.
“Alexia… I’m so damn happy.”
Honestly? He looked exactly like an overgrown golden retriever wagging his tail in triumph. Lately, Samuel felt as though a heavy weight pressed upon his chest.
Though his child had recovered, Alexia hadn’t reached out to him for quite some time. The memory of that day at the villa lingered vividly in his mind–her pale face, trembling fingers and the soft–spoken words, “Let’s divorce.”
After all this time, he assumed Alexia had calmed down. He retrieved his phone and instinctively dialed the number he knew by heart.
“Sorry, the number you have dialed is no longer in service.”
The cold, mechanical voice sent a shiver down his spine. Her profile picture on OurChat had turned black and any message he sent returned with a glaring red exclamation mark. “Ally?” he murmured, his fingers trembling uncontrollably.
Throughout their years of marriage, no matter how upset she was, she had never blocked
him.
He drove to the company. “Where is Alexia?” he inquired.
The employees exchanged puzzled glances. “Ms. Stark? She resigned quite a while ago…” Samuel staggered upstairs, only to find an unfamiliar man furiously berating the staff. “Useless! Mr. Stone appointed me to manage you all!” the man shouted. “You’re all drawing salaries without contributing. What’s the point of keeping you around?”
Samuel’s voice turned icy. “Who are you?”
The man immediately adopted a sycophantic tone. “Mr. Stone, I’m Nell’s cousin.”
Samuel suddenly recalled Nell mentioning her cousin seeking employment recently. His vision darkened as he overturned the desk. “Get out!”
The cousin’s expression changed and he quickly scurried away.
Returning to the villa, Samuel found Nell leisurely painting her nails, while two nannies paced back and forth, cradling the baby.
23:16 Mon, 20 May
