“Alexander chose me,” Elena said firmly. “He is mine. Whoever wants to fight that is fighting a lost battle.”
The words left her mouth before she could second-guess them. For a brief moment, complete silence settled over the dining room. Even Elena was surprised by her own boldness. She had not planned to say something so possessive, especially in front of Patrick Hartwell. Yet somehow, the words had come naturally, driven by a mixture of pride, fear, and the desperate need to prove she belonged beside Alexander.
Beside her, Alexander turned his head slightly and looked at her. For the first time that evening, she saw genuine surprise flicker across his face. It disappeared almost instantly, but not before she noticed it.
Patrick, however, reacted differently.
Instead of looking annoye
