Chapter three
807 Words
Armed with Alexander’s limitless black card, I walked into the city's most exclusive luxury boutique. For the past two years, Xavier had kept me locked away, forcing me to dress modestly so as not to "draw attention." But today, I was shedding that old, submissive skin.
I picked out a breathtaking, emerald-green silk gown that hugged every curve of my body. When I stepped out of the fitting room and looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I looked powerful. I looked dangerous.
"Well, well, well. Look what the rain washed into the upper class."
A venomous, familiar voice shattered my peace. I turned around to see Mia walking into the boutique, dripping in designer logos and holding a platinum card. She looked at me, her eyes flashing with malicious glee.
"Elena? What are you doing here?" Mia laughed, a high, irritating sound. "Did you sneak past security? This isn't a charity ward, sweetie. You can't afford the air in here."
I kept my face completely emotionless, channeling Alexander's cold aura. "I'm shopping, Mia. Leave me alone."
"Shopping? With what money?" Mia stepped closer, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper so the shop assistants wouldn't hear. She leaned into my ear, her smile turning entirely demonic. "You really thought you could stay Xavier's wife forever? You naive i***t. You were so easy to ruin. It took me less than an hour to photoshop those hotel pictures and place them where he’d find them. He believed me instantly because he never loved you. I took your husband, your home, and your dignity, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it."
I clenched my fists so hard my nails bit into my palms, but I forced a cold smile. "So, you admit you framed me."
"Of course I did!" Mia bragged, throwing her head back. "And Xavier will never believe you anyway, you pathetic"
"Mia."
A dark, trembling voice echoed from the entrance of the VIP lounge.
Mia froze. The color instantly drained from her face as she slowly turned around.
Xavier stood there. He was frozen, his eyes wide with a mixture of horror, disbelief, and pure agony. He had heard everything. Every single word of her confession had bounced off the luxury walls and pierced his chest.
"X-Xavier..." Mia stammered, her voice shaking violently as she dropped her shopping bags. "It’s not what it sounds like! I was just—"
"Shut up!" Xavier roared, a terrifying, mafia-boss rage throwing his features into a mask of fury. He backhanded her across the face, sending her crashing into a display rack. "Get out of my sight before I kill you myself!"
Mia sobbed, scrambling to her feet and running out of the store like a frightened dog.
The boutique fell into a dead, suffocating silence. Xavier turned his gaze back to me. The anger in his eyes vanished, replaced by a crushing, desperate regret. He looked at my emerald dress, then at my face, realizing with a sickening crash that he had brutally abused and exiled an innocent woman.
"Elena..." Xavier choked out, taking a trembling step toward me. His eyes were red, brimming with tears. "Elena, I... oh god, I didn't know. I was blind. Please, love, let me explain. Come back home with me. I'll make this right."
He reached his hand out, his fingers shaking as he tried to grab my waist to pull me into a hug, begging for forgiveness.
"Don't touch me, you monster!" I snapped, flinching away from his reach.
"I know I wasn't good to you, but I'll change. I promise, Elena," he begged, desperation cracking his voice. "You're my wife."
"Ex-wife, you moron!" I spat.
He tried to touch me again, refusing to accept reality. But before his fingers could even brush the silk of my dress, a massive, powerful hand clamped around his wrist like a steel vice.
The temperature in the room dropped to below freezing.
Alexander stepped out from behind the clothing racks, his towering, muscular frame completely blocking me from Xavier’s sight. His dark eyes locked onto Xavier, burning with a lethal, predatory intensity.
"I believe the lady told you to leave her alone, Vance," Alexander murmured, his deep, smooth voice dripping with absolute danger. He tilted his head, a cold, mocking smirk playing on his lips.
"What the hell, Sterling? I'm speaking to my wife, and I suggest you mind your business!" Xavier spat angrily, trying and failing to wrench his wrist free from the steel grip.
"Ex-wife," Alexander corrected him, his smirk widening into something terrifyingly sharp. "And as her future husband... I highly suggest you keep your dirty hands off my wife".
- Writer
