Chapter 6: You Don’t Get to Choose Anyone Else
1440 Words
The moment the car stopped—
I already knew something was wrong.
It wasn’t the location.
It wasn’t the timing.
It was the feeling.
That quiet shift in the air.
Like something unseen had already moved ahead of me… setting the board before I even arrived.
“Miss Evelyn,” Arman said beside me, his voice low. “There’s been a change.”
I didn’t look at him.
“What kind of change?”
“The Cole Holdings deal…”
A pause.
“…has been blocked.”
Silence.
Not shocked.
Not anger.
Just stillness.
Because I already knew the answer.
Alexander.
---
Earlier That Morning — Knight Group
“Every financial channel connected to Cole Holdings—freeze it.”
Alexander stood behind his desk, one hand resting against the surface, his gaze cold and unwavering.
Daniel hesitated.
“Sir, that will affect multiple partners—”
“I’m aware.”
His voice cut through the room like a blade.
“And I don’t care.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Unquestionable.
Daniel lowered his head slightly. “…Understood.”
Alexander turned toward the window.
The city stretched endlessly before him.
But his mind—
Was somewhere else.
Her.
Walking away.
Again.
Standing beside another man.
Choosing someone else.
Unacceptable.
His jaw tightened.
“You don’t get to choose anyone else,” he muttered under his breath.
---
Back to Present — Outside the Restaurant
I stepped out of the car.
The sunlight reflected off the glass doors of the high-end restaurant, the entrance guarded by subtle luxury and quiet exclusivity.
Adrian stood beside me, calm as ever.
But I could tell—
He already knew.
“Knight?” he asked casually.
I didn’t answer.
Because there was no need.
He smiled faintly. “I suppose I should be flattered.”
“That you’re being targeted?”
“That I’m considered a threat.”
I glanced at him briefly.
“You are.”
A small pause.
Then he chuckled softly.
“Well… that makes things more interesting.”
---
Inside — Tension Builds
We were seated by the window.
Private.
Secluded.
But not invisible.
Because in a city like this—
Nothing stayed hidden for long.
Adrian placed his glass down.
“He’s trying to corner me.”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
I met his gaze.
“I don’t get cornered.”
A faint spark of approval flickered in his eyes.
“I figured.”
He leaned back slightly.
Relaxed.
But alert.
“Then tell me,” he continued, “are you going to let him win?”
The question lingered.
Heavy.
Provocative.
I tilted my head slightly.
“Do I look like someone who loses?”
Adrian smiled.
“No.”
---
The Move
Meanwhile—
Across the street—
A black car sat quietly.
Engine off.
Windows tinted.
Inside—
Alexander watched.
Unmoving.
Unblinking.
His gaze was fixed on the two figures by the window.
Her.
And him.
Talking.
Calm.
Close.
Comfortable.
His fingers tapped slowly against the armrest.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped.
“Sir…” Daniel’s voice came carefully. “This may escalate things.”
Alexander didn’t respond.
His eyes remained locked on her.
“She’s smiling,” he said quietly.
Daniel froze.
Because that—
That was the problem.
---
Back Inside
“I assume this isn’t just about business,” Adrian said, swirling his drink lightly.
“Nothing ever is.”
“Fair point.”
He studied me for a moment.
“You were married to him.”
A statement.
Not a question.
“Yes.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m not.”
Simple.
Clean.
Final.
Adrian nodded slowly.
“And yet he’s acting like you still are.”
I let out a quiet breath.
“That’s his problem.”
Adrian leaned forward slightly.
“And what if he doesn’t see it that way?”
Silence.
Then—
“Then he’ll learn.”
---
The Interruption
The restaurant doors opened.
And the atmosphere shifted instantly.
People turned.
Whispers spread.
Because Alexander Knight had just walked in.
Uninvited.
Unannounced.
Unavoidable.
His gaze scanned the room once—
And found us immediately.
Of course it did.
He walked toward our table.
Each step is deliberate.
Controlled.
But carrying something darker beneath it.
Something unstable.
Adrian didn’t move.
Neither did I.
We simply watched.
And waited.
---
Collision
He stopped at the table.
Towering.
Dominant.
Territorial.
“Move.”
The word was directed at Adrian.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unapologetic.
Adrian raised a brow slightly.
“I’m sorry?”
“You heard me.”
Silence.
Then—
Adrian smiled.
Slow.
Calm.
Provoking.
“I don’t take orders from you.”
The air tightened.
Dangerously.
Alexander’s eyes darkened.
“I wasn’t asking.”
“And I’m not moving.”
A beat.
Then—
“I suggest you leave.”
The tension snapped.
---
The Breaking Point
“Enough.”
My voice cut through the moment.
Both of them turned to me instantly.
Good.
“Sit down,” I said calmly.
To Alexander.
Silence.
A long one.
Then—
He pulled the chair.
And sat.
Not because he wanted to.
But because I told him to.
And somehow—
That mattered.
---
The Three-Way War
The table fell into a tense silence.
Three people.
Three agendas.
One battlefield.
Alexander’s gaze shifted between Adrian and me.
Calculating.
Possessive.
Unforgiving.
“You’re wasting your time,” he said finally, looking at Adrian.
“With her.”
Adrian chuckled softly.
“I don’t think so.”
“She’s not someone you can handle.”
“I’ll take that as a challenge.”
Alexander leaned forward slightly.
“That’s a mistake.”
Adrian met his gaze.
“Or an opportunity.”
Silence.
Then—
Alexander turned to me.
“You’re entertaining this?”
I raised a brow.
“This?”
He gestured sharply.
“Him.”
A pause.
Then—
“Yes.”
The word hit harder than anything else.
---
Possession
“You’re still my—”
He stopped himself.
Too late.
The words were already there.
Lingering.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
I looked at him.
Cold.
Steady.
“Finish that sentence.”
Silence.
His jaw tightened.
But he didn’t.
Because he couldn’t.
Because deep down—
He knew.
He had no right anymore.
---
Power Shift
“Let me make this clear,” I said quietly.
My voice is calm.
Controlled.
But absolute.
“I don’t belong to you.”
Silence.
“I don’t answer to you.”
A beat.
“And I don’t need your permission.”
Alexander’s hand tightened against the table.
“You think I’ll just let this happen?”
I tilted my head slightly.
“You don’t get a say.”
---
The Final Blow
Adrian stood up slowly.
“I think we’ve made enough progress for today.”
He looked at me.
“Shall we continue this elsewhere?”
I didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
Alexander’s expression darkened instantly.
“You’re leaving?”
I stood.
“Obviously.”
“With him?”
I met his gaze.
“Yes.”
The answer was calm.
But finally.
Unchangeable.
---
Explosion
Alexander stood abruptly.
The chair scraped loudly against the floor.
“Evelyn.”
My name.
Low.
Dangerous.
Warning.
I paused.
But didn’t turn.
“You walk out that door with him…” he said slowly.
“…don’t expect me to stay silent.”
A faint smile touched my lips.
“Were you ever?”
And with that—
I walked away.
Again.
---
Aftermath — Alexander’s POV
The door closed.
And something inside him snapped.
Completely.
Irreversibly.
His hand slammed against the table.
The glass rattled.
People turned.
But no one dared to say anything.
Because the look in his eyes—
Was dangerous.
Unstable.
Possessive.
“She thinks she can replace me?” he muttered.
His chest rose and fell slowly.
Controlled.
Barely.
“No.”
His gaze darkened.
“That’s not happening.”
He turned sharply.
“Daniel.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I want Cole Holdings dismantled.”
Silence.
“…Sir?”
“Piece by piece.”
His voice dropped.
Colder.
Darker.
“And I want every man who gets close to her… removed.”
The words hung in the air.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
Absolute.
---
Final Scene
In the car—
Adrian glanced at me.
“He’s not going to stop.”
“I know.”
“And you?”
I looked out the window.
The city lights blurred past.
Calm.
Untouchable.
“I don’t need him to.”
Silence.
Then—
Adrian smiled slightly.
“Good.”
Because this—
Was just the beginning.
- Writer
