Reunited with My Lawyer Ex

Chapter 3 Unexpected Rescue

Alexander's antics had only worsened the sharp pain in my stomach.

Nothing had gone right since I'd returned home.

To avoid him, I'd turned down a job at Core Splendor Law—where he worked—and joined Cystone Law Group, Kingston City's second-best firm.

Yet even there, a clique of colleagues had targeted me from day one.

My mother's condition fluctuated constantly, and my commute was a nightmare.

Thinking about all of it made the empty, gnawing pain in my stomach even worse.

I stumbled to a corridor I was sure he and his team wouldn't use, squatting down and pressing my hands to my abdomen to ease the ache.

My body shook with pain, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on my forehead.

Suddenly, strong arms lifted me off the ground—Alexander was carrying me in his arms.

"Alexander, put me down!" I protested, struggling weakly.

He freed one hand to slip off my high heels, holding them in his grasp. "Don't flatter yourself—I just don't feel like getting kicked to death."

My anger flared, worsening my stomach pain. I had no strength left to fight, so I let him carry me out of the courthouse.

His colleagues were still at the entrance, and in a panic, I buried my face deep in his coat.

A low, amused chuckle escaped him. "Pathetic."

His colleagues stumbled over their greetings, clearly caught off guard by the scene.

"M-Mr. Vance… good afternoon."

"Safe travels, Mr. Vance…"

He set me down in the passenger seat of his car, and the seat warmer clicked on instantly, offering a small measure of relief to my tense body.

He pulled a bottle of medicine from the glove compartment—my old stomach medication, the one I'd taken for years.

Without a word, he gripped my chin, tilting my head back, and slipped a pill into my mouth.

Alexander handed me a bottle of water, but I turned my head, trying to swallow the pill dry.

Before I could, he grabbed the back of my head, pulling me close, and pressed his lips to mine, transferring warm water into my mouth.

My eyes widened in shock, my hands pressing against his chest in protest.

He tightened his grip on my back, leaving me no room to escape, and I eventually surrendered.

Once he was sure I'd swallowed the pill, Alexander pulled away, gently patting my throat. "All down?"

I wiped the water from my lips, staying silent.

He smiled, his tone teasing. "Merilicans skip breakfast, too?"

"Alexander, can you stop being so childish?" I retorted.

The smile faded from his face, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "I don't think your little disappearing act was very mature, either."

I said, "That's all in the past. Bringing personal feelings into work is extremely unprofessional, Alexander. It's time to move on."

He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it hurt. "You moved on? Vivian? Who the hell gave you permission to move on!"

In my memory, Alexander had never sworn, never smoked in front of me.

He'd always been independent, strong, calm, and wise—not the man in front of me, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

The me who'd loved him, and the him who'd loved me, were both long gone.

Dwelling on the past would only hold us back.

"I moved on a long time ago," I said.