Chapter 91
Zoe’s eyes scanned Mia from head to toe, she looked shocked and confused “You’re even wearing his shirt?”
“I… I didn’t mean to-” Mia stammered, no idea what to even say in this situation.
Zoe let out a laugh “The audacity What the fuck are you even doing here!”
“I uh-”
Before she could finish, Zoe’s hand lashed out, striking Mia across the cheek. The sharp sting brought tears to Mia’s eyes as she clutched her face in shock.
“Don’t speak when I’m speaking Turner”
Zoe stares at her shaking her head.
“Is there a game I didn’t know about?” She says more to herself, looking Mia up and down
Mia’s heart sank. Game?
Just then, Alex emerged from the room, his phone still in hand. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him.
“Mia?” he called out, concern etched on his face.
Their eyes met, and Mia silently pleaded with him, hoping this wasn’t another game.
Alex’s gaze shifted to Zoe. “What are you doing here?”
Zoe stares. “What do you mean, what am I doing here? Do I need permission to come to your house?”
“As a matter of fact, you do,” Alex replied, stepping between the two women.
Mia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her heart swelled with a mixture of relief and hope.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked, gently touching her cheek.
Mia nodded, her eyes welling up with tears.
It wasn’t a game. Is the the only thing her head is screaming not even the pain on her cheek
Zoe let out a bitter laugh. She shook her head “Is this a joke? Whatever stupid game you’re playing, it’s not funny anymore.”
Alex stares at her for a few seconds before turning to face Zoe.
“No one is playing any game, Zoe,” Alex said firmly. He turned to Mia. “Do you mind waiting in the room for me?”
Zoe’s eyes narrowed. “Wait in what room? What nonsense are you talking about? I want her out of here now!”
Alex ignored her, his attention solely on Mia.
Mia nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll go put the food down.”
“Thank you,” Alex said with a soft smile.
1/4
The moment Mia left the room, the atmosphere shifted. Alex turned to face Zoe, who stood rooted to the spot, her expression a mix of disbelief and anger.
“Is this a joke?” she asked again, her voice trembling.
“No,” Alex replied, his tone steady. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall, his gaze unwavering.
“I want her out of here, Alex,” Zoe demanded, her eyes flashing with fury.
“Sorry, I can’t do that,” he said calmly.
“You can’t-” Zoe began, but she stopped herself, shaking her head and laughing bitterly. “This is unbelievable.”
Alex remained silent, his eyes fixed on her.
“This-this is the reason you’ve been avoiding me? The reason you wanted a break? Because of her? A Turner? Did you hit your head? She’s a fucking Turner, Alex!”
He looked at her, then spoke the words that had been weighing on his heart. “I’m in love with her.”
Zoe stared at him, speechless. The silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating.
“You’re in love with her?” she finally whispered.
“Yes,” he affirmed.
“A Turner,” she repeated, as if the word itself was poison.
“Yes,” he said again.
Zoe’s eyes filled with disbelief. “Alex, you hate her!”
“Not anymore.”
She looked around, as if seeking something to anchor her in this surreal moment.
“I’m serious about breaking up,” he said.
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “This is clearly a joke.”
“It’s not,” Alex said firmly.
“You’re serious about a breakup?” she asked, her voice breaking. “With me?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, Zoe,” he said, his voice softening.
She groaned, trying to suppress a scream or a sob. “I’m gonna go. Call me when you start thinking straight.”
“Zoe,” Alex called gently.
“Please get out of my way,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alex sighed, pushing himself off the wall and opening the door for her.
He stares at the door that Zoe just walked out of.
2/4
The sound of it clicking shut echoed like finality across the hallway. For a moment, he just stood there, his chest rising and falling too slowly, as if his lungs were trying to catch up with everything that had just happened.
He had ended things with Zoc.
The words rang in his head like a chime, soft but heavy. Not because he didn’t mean it-he did-but because of everything
that came with it.
The mess, the emotion.
He exhaled sharply and turned away from the door, dragging a hand over his face.
Mia.
His feet carried him down the hallway, toward the room she had run into.
The tension in his chest returned, this time laced with concern. She must have heard everything-every bitter word, every insult Zoe hurled her way.
He stopped in front of the guest room door. It was closed, but not locked. Carefully, he pushed it open.
Mia was pacing inside.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, shoulders drawn high like she was bracing for an earthquake. Her eyes flicked up the moment the door creaked open. Wide. Startled. Like a deer caught in headlights.
Alex froze.
For a second, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched, thick and aching.
Her eyes held something raw, something he hadn’t seen before-not just fear, but fragility. She looked like she was trying to hold herself together with invisible thread.
His stomach twisted. He had done this. All of it. He had made her feel unsafe. Unwanted. And even now, standing in front of her with a heart full of emotion, he wasn’t sure how to make it right.
“Mia,” he whispered her name like it was both a question and a prayer.
She didn’t respond. She just stood there, still as stone, as if waiting for him to say the wrong thing.
He took a slow step forward. Then another.
And then he opened his arms.
At first, she didn’t move. But then her eyes flickered-something inside her shifted-and she rushed forward.
The moment she crashed into him, everything inside him cracked open.
He wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her like he never wanted to let go. Her face pressed into his chest, and the soft, broken sigh that escaped her mouth made his throat burn.
She clung to him like she needed him to stay standing. He held her closer.
“Is she gone?” she asked quietly, voice muffled against his shirt.
“Yes,” he murmured, his lips brushing her hair. “She’s gone.”
8/4
Chapter 91
Mia didn’t respond. She just held on.
Alex closed his eyes. He buried his face in her hair and just breathed her in.
She smelled like something soft….something that made him feel safe and home at the same time. It was ridiculous how something so simple could anchor him.
Minutes passed. Or maybe it was seconds.
When she finally leaned back, her eyes were glassy but dry. She searched his face as if looking for proof that he really meant everything she had heard.
“Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s go finish your cooking.”
She blinked up at him. “Seriously?”
He smiled. “Yes. I want to eat something you made.”
A soft, reluctant laugh escaped her lips, and just like that, she felt her guard fall off her with ease.
He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and together they walked back to the kitchen.
For now he is going to forget the storm roaring from a distance.
