Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 02

Emily

His eyes shone with pride and love, a look that hit me with the force of a painful reminder of how things were now. He stood up and cupped my face in his hands, giving me a light kiss on the lips. “Are you okay, love? You took a while.”

I forced a smile, trying to hide the turmoil Alexander had left inside me. “Yes, I just needed a moment to breathe.” He didn’t ask anything else, trusting my word, and that silent trust weighed heavily on my chest. Michael was everything I needed, and perhaps that was why Alexander’s presence that night shook me so much. It was as if he was there to test me, to remind me of who I used to be.

Our dinner continued normally, with toasts and casual conversations. I was there physically, but my mind was far away, replaying every second of the encounter with Alexander in the hallway. His eyes, his words, the urgent and possessive touch. It was a vicious cycle I was trying to break free from, but somehow, it always pulled me back.

While Michael chatted animatedly with our friends, I got lost in a brief flash of memories. I remembered the first time I saw Alexander, five years ago. I was at a business conference, trying to stand out among executives who barely noticed me, until he walked into the room. His piercing gaze and overwhelming presence made everything around disappear. Alexander Hayes was not just a man; he was a force of nature, a hurricane of power and control that drew everyone into his orbit.

That night, he approached me without preamble, with a self-confidence that left me breathless. “You look bored,” he said with a charming smile, and from that moment on, I knew I was lost. He offered me a world I had never experienced—luxury, exclusivity, and an attention that made me believe I was the only person in the world that mattered.

In the first few months, our affair was like a roller coaster of emotions. Alexander pulled me into a dangerous game of seduction and power. He knew exactly how to make me feel special, unique, even when I was just another secret in his life. The nights we spent together were intense, filled with laughter and deep conversations that made me believe he saw me as more than just a lover. But by day, he was cold, unreachable, and I quickly learned to separate his two sides: the warm Alexander in bed and the ruthless CEO who never introduced me to anyone.

One specific memory hit me as I looked at the glass of wine in my hand. It was a night when, after a particularly intimate dinner, Alexander and I were lying on the couch, and he started talking about his childhood. It wasn’t something he did often; Alexander never let his guard down. But that night, he told me about the pressure he felt to be perfect, to become the man his family expected. I listened in silence, feeling a rare connection, almost believing that maybe, just maybe, he could love me one day. It was one of the few moments when I saw Alexander as more than a powerful CEO; he was just a broken man trying to hide his own weaknesses.

But then, as quickly as he had opened up, he closed himself off again, putting his barriers back in place. The next day, he ignored me for days, as if that moment had never happened. That’s when I realized that, to him, I was just an escape valve, someone he could lower his guard with without compromising his perfect facade. And I, naive, kept clinging to crumbs, believing that in time, he would change.

When dinner finally ended, Michael and I walked hand in hand to the car. He was talking excitedly about the weekend trip we were planning, but my responses were automatic, emotionless. He noticed, of course, but chose not to push. Michael was always kind, always patient, the opposite of the man who still occupied my thoughts.

As soon as we reached my apartment, Michael pulled me into a tight hug. “Are you sure you’re okay, Emily? You seem a bit distant.”

I took a deep breath, knowing I owed him more than a simple “yes.” But how could I explain that the shadow of my past had come back to haunt me? “I’m fine, just a little tired. I promise I’ll rest and feel better.”

Michael nodded, kissing my forehead in a caring way that made me feel a wave of guilt. “I just want you to know I’m here for you, always.” His words were sincere, and I smiled back, despite the pain they caused.

When I was finally alone, I collapsed on the couch, hugging a pillow as if I could suffocate all the conflicting emotions fighting to escape. Alexander had appeared in my life again like a hurricane, shattering the peace I was trying to build. And the worst part was that a part of me still wanted him, still longed for the intensity only he could bring.

I picked up my phone several times, thinking about blocking his number, erasing any trace that remained. But I couldn’t. It wasn’t just a choice to delete a contact; it was as if every unread message, every missed call, was a silent promise of something that never fulfilled. I put the phone down, unable to open it, to face what I already knew was there.

The next morning, I forced myself to stick to the routine. I took a long shower, trying to wash away the weight of the previous night. I put on my favorite dress and applied my makeup carefully, each step an attempt to regain the control I felt slipping away.

When the workday ended, I found myself back at my apartment, feeling the weight of the decision I needed to make. It was time to cut Alexander out once and for all or admit that maybe I had never truly freed myself from him. My phone buzzed on the table, and seeing Alexander’s name on the screen, my heart leapt.

It was him, always him, even when I tried to stay away.

I took a deep breath, without the courage to open the message, knowing that night could change everything again. I knew I would need to make a decision, and soon. Between the love that bound me to the past and the man who promised me the future.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter