The day feels different, almost as if the air has shifted around me. When I wake up, there’s a sense of purpose that wasn’t there before, a quiet but undeniable energy inside me. It’s not like the nervous excitement of a child on their first day of school, but rather the steely calm of someone who’s decided to stop letting life happen to them.
I glance at the mirror, surprised by the reflection staring back at me. My hair is a mess, as always, but it’s the eyes that hold my attention. There’s
lve that w something in them now. Something I didn’t notice before. A quiet resolve wasn’t there a week ago.
“You’re not just a pawn in someone else’s game anymore,” I murmur to myself.
The house is quiet when I step out of our bedroom. Alexander is already gone for the day, leaving only a faint scent of his cologne behind. I’m used to his early mornings, but today, for some reason, I’m restless. I should have stayed in bed. But I can’t. I need to do something. For myself. For us.
and t
I move through the grand hallway, my footsteps soft on the marble floors, then stop in front of the large office doors. This place used to intimidate me–its cold, impersonal atmosphere reflected everything I had feared about my new life. But now, I feel a strange pull to it. It’s not just the business world that intimidates me, but the fear of remaining invisible, the fear of being ignored.
Taking a deep breath, I push the doors open.
Inside, it’s exactly as I left it–slick, organized, and far too perfect for someone like me. I stand in the doorway for a moment, just watching the room, listening to the hum of the computers and the distant chatter of employees outside.
Then, I spot it–the stack of paperwork on Alexander’s desk, untouched, a sign of his current workload. I don’t know much about the specifics of his business yet, but I’ve learned enough in the past few weeks to feel like I’m not completely out of my depth.
A sit down at his desk, instinctively reaching for the first file on top. It’s not a huge decision, but it’s something. I know this small action won’t change
everything overnight, but it feels like a beginning.
Just as I’m flipping through the papers, I hear footsteps approaching. I turn quickly, the papers slipping from my hands in surprise. Alexander’s silhouette appears in the doorway, his sharp gaze flicking between me and the desk.
“You’re here early,” he says, his tone neutral but laced with a hint of something I can’t place.
“I… I thought I might help,” I say, my voice steady but the nerves still lurking beneath.
Alexander raises an eyebrow. “Help? With what, exactly?”
I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. This isn’t exactly how I pictured this moment going. But I can’t back down now. I have to prove to myself that I’m more than just the passive bystander I’ve been up until now.
“Your business,” I finally say, pushing the stack of papers toward him. “I know I don’t understand everything, but I can learn. I want to help where I
can.”
His expression remains unreadable, but I see a flicker of surprise in his eyes, quickly masked by his usual stoic demeanour. “You don’t have to—”
“I know,” I interrupt. “But I want to. For me. And for you.”
Alexander steps into the room,
his sharp gaze moving over the desk as if he’s deciding whether or not to take me seriously. The silence between us is thick and heavy with the tension of this moment.
“I’m not sure what you’re expecting me to say,” he says finally, leaning against the desk, his arms crossed in front of him,
“I don’t know what I’m expecting either,” I admit. “But I’m not going to just sit around waiting for you to fix everything anymore.”
For a moment, there’s a long pause. His expression doesn’t change, but I sense a shift in him–just the smallest crack in his armour. He uncrosses his arms, taking a step closer to me.
“I never asked you to sit around,” he says quietly. “I just…” He trails off, then shakes his head. “Never mind.”
“Alexander, I’m not you,” I say, my voice firmer now. “I can’t just sit in the background and wait for things to happen. I need to feel like I’m part of this.
Part of us.”
The words hang in the air between us, heavy and full of meaning, I can see the internal struggle behind his eyes. It’s the same battle I’ve been fighting inside myself–wanting to be more than just the wife of a billionaire, more than just a pretty face by his side. I want my place in this world. I need it.
“I’m trying, Leila,” Alexander says after a long silence. “But you have to understand… this isn’t easy
for
me.”
I nod slowly, sensing the vulnerability in his voice, a side of him I don’t often see. It’s fleeting, gone almost as quickly as it appears, but it’s there. And for the first time, I understand him a little better.
“Maybe it’s not easy for either of us,” I whisper.
1/2
Chapter 18
+25 Bonus
There’s a long moment of silence, then Alexander turns toward the door. “I’ll look over this later,” he says, motioning toward the papers. “But I’m glad you’re taking an interest. Just…” He pauses. “Be careful.”
“Careful?” I repeat, my voice sharp. “Why? Because I might do something?”
He doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he glances back at me, his eyes lingering for a beat longer than usual. “Because sometimes, the things you get involved in aren’t as easy as they seem. And not everyone will appreciate your help,”
The words strike a chord deep inside me, but I refuse to let them shake me. “Then I’ll deal with it. I’m not backing down now.”
As he leaves the room, I can’t help but wonder–was that a warning, or was it just his way of saying he cares, even if he doesn’t know how to show it?
I take a deep breath, looking at the papers in front of me. This is only the beginning. And as I continue to step up, I know the road ahead won’t be easy. But I’m ready to walk it. For myself. For us.
Just as I reach for the phone to make a call, my eyes catch a shadow moving outside the window. I freeze. Something’s wrong. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Is someone watching me?
