Chapter 94
“Julian’s smile widened. “Come on. Don’t play dumb. There’s obviously someone. Who is she?”
Alex hesitated.
He couldn’t tell him. Not yet.
Julian might not care that Mia is Ethan’s sister.
He might even be the only one in the family who wouldn’t lose his mind if he found out he was in love with Ethan Turner’s little sister.
But still… something in him wanted to keep her for himself a little longer. Like a secret garden untouched by the chaos of their world. A place where he could still breathe.
“You’ll meet her soon,” Alex said instead, his voice quiet but sure.
Julian lifted an eyebrow, grinning now. “Oh, there is someone.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Oh my God, Julian. Let it go.”
Julian laughed again, and for a moment-just a moment-it felt like they were kids again. Like the weight of their father’s cruelty hadn’t made everything in their world so dark and heavy.
Alex looked at his brother, really looked at him. Under the bruises, the exhaustion, the burned hand, there was still a spark of the boy he used to admire so much.
The brother who used to sneak him out of boring business dinners and drive him to the beach just to sit and listen to the waves. The brother who used to say, “We’ll be okay, Just wait and see.”
Julian had always been the brave one. The loud one. The fearless one.
And now?
Now he looked like a shell. A man barely holding himself together.
And it broke Alex’s heart in ways he couldn’t explain.
He wanted to save him. He would save him.
Even if it meant going against their father. Even if it meant starting a war.
Because if he didn’t, no one else would.
Alex was done being scared. Done staying quiet. Done letting his brother take the fall every time he dared to fight back.
And now, for the first time in a long time, he had something worth fighting for.
Someone who made him believe he could still be a good man, even after everything.
Someone who made him want to fix things-really fix them.
He’d protect Mia. He’d protect Julian. He’d protect his mother.
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No matter what it took.
Because love wasn’t supposed to hurt. It wasn’t supposed to destroy.
And this time, he was going to do it right.
Julian stretched out on the bed, wincing slightly but still wearing that amused grin. “So, when are you bringing this mystery girl home, huh?”
Alex laughed under his breath. “We’ll see.”
“Come on, man,” Julian said. “I need something to look forward to.”
Alex looked at him, and despite everything-despite the pain, the anger, the fear-he smiled.
Because maybe, just maybe, things could get better.
Maybe they still had a chance.
And he was going to do everything in his power to make sure they did.
Even if he had to burn the whole damn world down to do it.
“So when?”
“Jesus! Julian let it go” Alex says, chuckling.
After finishing his meal, Alex rose from the table, his movements deliberate yet hesitant. The thought of returning to an empty house didn’t sit well with him.
Mia had left for work earlier, her text message from an hour ago still unread on his phone. He had always cherished solitude, but now, the silence felt oppressive without her presence.
“Let me start going,” he said, his voice low.
“Stay the night, baby,” his mother offered, her eyes searching his face.
He shook his head gently. “You know I can’t do that, Mom.”
She hummed in understanding, rising to embrace him. “Take care of yourself,” she whispered, holding him tightly.
Alex nodded, the warmth of her hug momentarily easing the weight on his shoulders.
As they pulled apart, she looked at him thoughtfully. “The girl I saw at your house,” she began.
Alex tensed, his body stiffening.
“She looks so pretty and fragile,” his mother continued, her tone gentle.
He met her gaze, saying nothing.
“Is she important to you?”
“Yes,” he replied, his voice firm.
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Chapter 94
Her expression turned serious. “Your father can’t know about her.”
Alex understood the gravity of her warning. He nodded.
“Goodnight, Mom.”
“Goodnight.”
“See you around, Julian,” he said, turning to his brother before walking out, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
Sliding into his car, Alex couldn’t shake the image of Mia from his mind.
The idea of her being exposed to his father’s wrath was unbearable. He sighed, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Mia received a message from her brother days later, letting her know that things were beginning to settle.
He mentioned that he had spoken to their mother, who assured him that they were safe. Mia hasn’t spoken to her mother in days.Her sisters will never reach out unless she does and she only reached out to them once after she left that man’s house.
Mia had accepted the way her family is a long time ago.
The only thing that bothers her right now is not supposed to be bothering her. Infact she should be happy all this has been sorted out.
Living with Alex had been more than she ever imagined. Each day felt like a dream she never wanted to wake up from.
He treated her with a tenderness that made her feel cherished. He had a way of making her feel like the most important person in the world. He was always trying to buy her expensive stuffs.
It wasn’t the material things that mattered to her, it was the way he looked at her, the way he held her hand, the way he made her laugh.
One evening they were cuddled up on the couch. “I have a huge match on Friday.” Alex says
Mia turned to face him, her eyes lighting up. “I want to come.”
He shook his head. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Remember the shooting last time?”
Mia smiled, biting his cheek playfully. “Remember who protected me last time?”
Alex chuckled, pinching her side. She yelped and laughed, the sound filling the room with warmth.
“What, don’t want me to see you lose, Mr. Champion?” she teased.
“Shut up,” he replied, grinning.
They spent the evening talking about everything and anything. Mia shared her excitement about her upcoming exam
results.
She couldn’t wait to get into university. It was her biggest dream to leave this town but now…
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Chapter 94
“The company has a private jet,” Alex said, trying to reassure her. “I’ll come see you whenever I want or send for you whenever you’re not busy.”
Mia smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in his words. She knew everything would be fine.
They still need to talk about this, this is a huge step especially with their relationship.
They just started uh-dating?
Leaving so soon could be such a disaster.
She still has months away, so there’s still time
As the night wore on, they continued to talk, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.
Alex holds her face, they look at each other. Mia smiles, Alex chuckles before joining their lips together.
“We’ll find a way, okay?”
“Okay”
