FRAMED BY DESTINY

UNSPOKEN JEALOUSY

Alexander stood at the doorway, his sharp eyes fixed on the two people inside the room.

Liam.

Elara.

Only seconds ago, their laughter had echoed through the bedroom. Now...t he room was completely silent.

Elara immediately stood up from the edge of the bed. She nervously smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt before lowering her head.

"Mr... Mr. Alexander."

Alexander didn't answer her immediately.Instead, his gaze drifted around Liam's spotless room before returning to the two of them.

"What exactly is going on here?"

His voice was calm.

Dangerously calm.

Liam sighed."We're talking."

Alexander's eyes shifted to his younger brother. "Talking?"

"Yes."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "For this long?"

Liam frowned. "What exactly are you trying to imply?"

"I'm asking a question."

"No."

Liam shook his head. "You're interrogating ."

Alexander ignored him.His attention returned to Elara.

"I thought you were helping Bella clean."

"I-I was." She quickly pointed toward the neatly arranged room. "I already finished."

Alexander glanced around.

The room was spotless.

Not a speck of dust remained.

The bed was neatly made.

The curtains had been changed. Everything looked perfect.

"So why are you still here?"

Before Elara could answer...

Liam spoke. "Because I asked her to stay."

Alexander slowly looked at him. "For what?"

"I wanted to know more about her."

Alexander folded his arms.

"You couldn't do that downstairs?"

Liam laughed softly. "Why does it matter where we talked?"

"It doesn't."

"Then why are you asking?"

Alexander remained silent. Elara could feel the tension growing. Her heart pounded nervously.

She hated conflict. Especially when she was the reason for it.

She quickly stepped forward. "I should go."

Liam looked at her. "Lara..."

She forced a small smile.

"Bella is probably looking for me."

Without waiting for anyone to stop her, she hurried toward the door.

As she walked past Alexander...She kept her eyes fixed on the floor.

Not once did she look at him.

Alexander noticed.

Again.

The moment she disappeared into the hallway...Silence filled the room.

Liam looked at his brother. "What was that?"

Alexander slipped one hand into his pocket.

"What?"

"You scared her."

"I didn't."

"You did."

Alexander frowned. "I only asked what you two were doing."

Liam sighed. "Exactly...you sounded like she committed a crime."

Alexander looked toward the open window. "I wasn't accusing anyone."

"Then why was your tone like that?"

Alexander had no answer.

He honestly didn't know.All he knew was...The moment he saw Elara laughing with Liam...Something inside him became unbearably restless.

He couldn't explain it.

And that irritated him even more. "I have work."

He turned toward the door.

Liam called after him. "Alex."

Alexander stopped walking. "What?"

Liam walked over until they stood face to face.

"I know you've never been the friendliest person......but don't take it out on her."

Alexander looked at him. "I'm not taking anything out on her."

"You are."

Liam sighed.

"She's trying so hard to fit into this family."

"Mom adores her."

"The staff love her."

"She's respectful."

"And she's always willing to help."

Alexander remained quiet.

Liam continued. "She spent almost an hour helping Bella clean today."

Alexander remembered the bucket in her hands. The dust cloth.The way she'd tied her hair back.

He hadn't thought much of it then. Now...He realized she had volunteered.

No one forced her. "She didn't have to help," Alexander muttered.

"I know but she wanted to". Liam smiled faintly.

"That's just the kind of person she is."

Alexander looked away. "She's different."

Liam nodded. "Exactly."

For a few seconds...Neither brother spoke.Then Liam chuckled.

"You know..."

Alexander looked at him.

"What?"

"I was surprised."

"About what?"

"I thought rich houses would change people but Elara..." He smiled to himself.

"she's still so humble."

Alexander didn't respond.

Liam leaned casually against the wall.

"And she's really beautiful."

Alexander's heartbeat faltered. Only for a second.His face, however, remained completely expressionless.

Liam laughed softly.

"I mean...anyone with eyes can see she's beautiful."

Alexander simply shrugged. "I've never paid attention."

Liam smiled. "I don't believe that."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You live in the same house...you've definitely noticed."

Alexander looked away before answering. "I don't spend my time looking at people."

Liam laughed. "Fair enough."

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "But honestly...I have started liking her."

Alexander's eyes slowly returned to him.

Liam didn't notice."I like talking to her.She's easy to laugh with.She's kind."

"And..." He smiled shyly.

"I think I'd like to get to know her better."

Alexander's jaw tightened almost invisibly.His fingers curled inside his pockets.

Still...His voice remained calm."So?"

Liam blinked. "So?"

Alexander nodded. "If that's what you want...then get to know her."

Liam smiled. "I think I will.I don't know if she feels the same...but I'd like to try."

Alexander forced a small nod."Good luck."

Liam grinned."Thanks."

He stretched lazily."I hope Mom won't mind."

Alexander finally looked at him again. "Mom only wants you to be happy."

"I know." Liam laughed.

"Besides...I don't even know if Elara sees me that way."

Alexander said nothing. Because deep inside...One thought echoed over and over.

"What if she does?". For the first time in years...Alexander Kingsley realized something that terrified him. If he kept hiding his feelings...Someone else might be brave enough to tell Elara theirs.

Alexander had barely taken a few steps down the hallway when Liam called after him. "Alex."

Alexander stopped but didn't turn around. "What?"

Liam caught up with him and shoved both hands into the pockets of his jeans.

" But can you be nicer to her?"

Alexander looked at him blankly. "What are you talking about?"

"You walked into my room looking like you were about to fire somebody and you actually scared the poor girl half to death."

"I didn't scare her."

Liam raised an eyebrow "Really?"

Alexander frowned.

"Yes."

Liam laughed softly. "Bro... she couldn't even look you in the eyes."

Alexander's expression faltered for the briefest second.

He remembered she hadn't looked at him.Her head had remained lowered.

Something wasn't right.

Liam noticed the silence. "You know...I don't think she hates you."

Alexander looked at him.

"What makes you think she would?"

Liam shrugged. "Because of the way you treat her."

Alexander slipped his hands into his pockets.

"I've never mistreated her."

Liam actually laughed. "You've shouted at her twice."You barely acknowledge her."

"And every time she sees you, she looks like she's preparing for an exam."

Alexander looked away.

"I..." He stopped himself.

"What?"

"...Nothing."

Liam shook his head. "Sometimes I honestly don't understand you."

Neither of them spoke for a few seconds.The hallway became unusually quiet.

Finally, Liam broke the silence again. "I'm going to apologize to her."

Alexander frowned.

"For what?"

"For your behavior."

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "My behavior?"

"Yeah."

"I don't want her thinking everyone in this family is like you."

Alexander let out a dry chuckle. "Thanks."

"I'm serious."

Liam smiled.

"She deserves to feel comfortable here."

Alexander remained silent.

Liam continued walking beside him.

"You know...I've been thinking."

Alexander sighed. "Here we go."

Liam laughed."I'm planning to take her out this weekend."

Alexander's footsteps slowed. "Where?"

"I haven't decided maybe shopping maybe lunch or maybe that café downtown Mom always talks about."

Alexander tried to sound casual. "Just the two of you?"

Liam blinked. "Well...Yeah."

Alexander looked straight ahead. "People might misunderstand."

Liam burst into laughter.

"Since when do you care about gossip?"

"I don't."

"Then?"

Alexander hesitated. "I just don't think she's ready."

Liam looked confused.

"Ready?..She's still settling into the mansion I don't want her feeling pressured."

Liam smiled. "I wasn't planning on proposing to her, Alex."

Alexander rubbed his forehead."I know."

"We're just going out as friends to help her get familiar with the city."

Alexander nodded slowly. "Right."

Liam studied his brother for a moment before grinning. "You know what's funny?"

Alexander looked at him. "What?"

"I've never seen you ask this many questions before."

"I was making conversation."

Liam laughed.

"You?...Making conversation?"

Alexander shot him an annoyed look. "Forget it."

Liam was still smiling.

"You're acting weird today."

"I'm acting normal."

"If you say so."

They reached the staircase.

Liam stretched lazily. "I'm starving. I'm going to see if Bella has any snacks hidden in the kitchen."

Alexander nodded absentmindedly. "Go ahead."

Liam started walking away before stopping suddenly.

"Ohkay bye bro"

Without waiting for an answer, he disappeared downstairs.

The mansion suddenly became quiet.

Alexander stood alone at the top of the staircase.

His mind replayed Liam's words.

"I'm planning to take her out..."

"Just the two of us..."

"If she agrees..."

He clenched his jaw. Why did that bother him so much He had spent weeks keeping Elara at arm's length.

Weeks pretending she meant nothing to him.

So why did the thought of another man making her smile feel like a punch to the chest?

Frustrated, he walked toward his bedroom.

As he passed the large window overlooking the garden, movement below caught his attention.

Elara.

She was outside with Bella.

The two women were laughing over something Bella had said.

For the first time all day...

Alexander saw Elara's genuine smile.

It was bright.

Carefree.

Beautiful.

Without realizing it...The corner of his lips lifted slightly.

Then Liam stepped into the garden.

Bella excused herself with a playful smile, leaving the two of them alone.

Alexander's faint smile vanished.

From upstairs, he watched Liam say something that made Elara laugh again.

She playfully nudged Liam's arm.

Liam laughed back.

Alexander's grip tightened around the window frame.

His knuckles turned white.

A strange feeling settled in his chest.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

Unfamiliar.

He had negotiated billion-dollar deals without breaking a sweat.

He had stared down ruthless competitors without blinking.

Yet watching Elara laugh with his younger brother...

Made him feel completely powerless.

He let out a slow breath and closed the curtain.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered to himself.

"I shouldn't care."

But no matter how many times he said it...

He couldn't convince himself.

Behind the closed curtain, the laughter from the garden continued.

Alexander walked to his desk, opened a file, and tried to read.

Five minutes later...

He realized he hadn't understood a single word on the page.

With an irritated groan, he threw the file onto the desk.

His phone buzzed with a message from his secretary reminding him about tomorrow's meeting.

He stared at it for a few seconds before locking the screen.

His thoughts drifted back to the garden.

To Elara.

To Liam.

To that smile.

"...Damn it."

He leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes.

For the first time in years, Alexander Kingsley had lost a battle...

Not in business.

But against his own heart.