DONE
2203 Words
ALEXA POV
“I don’t want to see you with that guy named Travis.”
I stop halfway through taking off my shoes.For a moment, I think I heard him wrong.I slowly look up.
“What did you say?”
Victor is standing in the middle of the living room, his arms crossed over his chest.
“You heard me.” He said coldly
“I don’t want him keeping any contact with my family.”
My fingers tighten around the strap of my bag.
“What are you talking about?”
He looks at me like I’m stupid.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“No, I don’t.”
I drop my shoes beside the door.
“You're going to have to explain.”
“Stay away from him.”
The command is so blunt that I actually just stare at him.
“Why?”
He says nothing.
“Victor.”
I take a step closer.
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”He insists.
A bitter laugh escapes me.
“That’s not a reason.”
He doesn't answer, Instead, he looks away.
My confusion deepens.
“How do you even know his name?”,Victor goes completely silent.
I narrow my eyes.
“Where do you know him from?”
He still doesn't answer.
“Victor?”
I move closer.
“Where do you know him from, and why is this even an issue?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me.”
He finally looks at me,His expression is unreadable.
“He has no business being around Lily.”
My temper flares.
“He didn’t do anything wrong.”
Victor's jaw tightens.
“He hit our daughter with his car.”
“And he stayed at the hospital!”
“Because he felt guilty.”
“And that's because he cared!” I said,sharply
The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
Victor's eyes snap toward me.
My voice gets louder.
“ He could have left, Victor. He could have handed someone some money and walked away. But he stayed.”
“You're defending him?”
“I’m stating a fact!”
“You barely know him.”
“And you barely know anything about what happened!”
Victor scoffs.
“He put Lily in the hospital.”
“What has gotten over you Victor?, you don't give a valuable reason and you expect me to keep shut?”
I can feel the anger building in my chest now,It isn't only about Travis anymore.It's about everything. Every time Victor wasn't there.Every time I had to handle something alone.Every time I needed him and found an empty space beside me instead.
Victor's face hardens.
“You weren’t there.”
He flinches.
“You weren’t there when Lily got hit.” My voice cracks.
“You weren't there when I was sitting in that hospital terrified, wondering if my daughter was going to be okay.”
Victor looks away.
“You weren't there when I needed you.”
My eyes burn.
“You're never there whenever I need you.”
Silence.
The words hang between us.
I wipe angrily at the corner of my eye before the tears can fall.
“You don't get to dictate my life, Victor.”
His lifts his head but doesn't make eye contact.
“You come home drunk. You break things. You pick fights. You scare Lily.”
“Alexa…”
“You barely help with anything!” I cut him.
My voice rises again.
“I do literally everything in this house, and somehow you still think you get to decide who I'm allowed to talk to?”
He takes a step toward me.
“Don't talk to me like that.”
I instinctively step back.
My heart pounds, For a second, the old fear returns.
The fear I've spent years pretending isn't there.But this time, I don't lower my voice.
I don't apologize.
“You keep telling me you'll change.”
My voice trembles.
“And you do nothing.”
Victor stares at me.
“I've heard it all before.”
I shake my head.
“I'm done, Victor.”
“What did you say?”
“I’m done letting you control me.”
I grab my bag from the chair.
“Where are you going?”
I don't answer.
“Where are you going, Alexa?”
I keep walking.
“Alexa!”
I reach the door.
My hand closes around the handle.
“Alexa!”
I finally turn around.
“I need space.”
His expression changes,But I don't wait for his response,I pull the door open and slam it as hard as I can behind me.
My hands are shaking.My breathing feels uneven.
I stand outside for a moment, staring at the closed door,I don't know where I'm going.I just know I need to leave.
I need to get away from that house.
I hurry to my car.
The moment I sit behind the wheel, my phone rings.
The hospital.
My stomach drops.
I answer it immediately.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Alexa s? I'm calling about Lily. She's ready to be discharged.”
I close my eyes.Relief floods through me.
“Thank God.”
I start the car.
“I'll be there.”
---
An hour later, I rush into the hospital.
“Mommy!”
Lily runs toward me.
I immediately crouch down and pull her into my arms.
“Baby!”
She giggles against my chest.
The warmth of her little body makes something inside me finally unclench. For the first time since the accident, I can breathe.
“Can we go home?”
I pull back and smile.
“Yes, baby.”
She hugs her unicorn tighter.
Then she looks around.
“Is Travis coming?”
I pause.
The question catches me completely off guard. My heart gives a strange little twist.
“No, sweetheart.”
Her face drops slightly.She looks down at her unicorn.And for some reason, seeing her disappointed hurts me more than it should.
I brush her hair back.
“Come on. We have somewhere to go first.”
---
I drop Lily at her best friend’s house before heading to work.
After everything that happened yesterday, every part of me wants to stay beside her. But bills don't pay themselves.
And unlike Victor, I can't afford to simply disappear when life gets difficult.
I get into the car.
And drive to work.
---
When I finally walk into the conference room, my palms are sweating.But I don't let anyone see how exhausted I am.
The presentation finally ends. The moment I step into the hallway, I release a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
My boss is waiting outside. He studies me for a moment.
“I didn't think you'd pull that off after everything.”
A tired laugh escapes me.
“Neither did I.”
He gives me a small smile before walking away,I stand there for a moment,strangely proud of myself. Maybe I'm not falling apart after all.
My phone buzzes in my hand.
Maya: You survived?
I smile.
Me: Barely
Her reply comes almost immediately.
Maya: Let's go out for dinner tonight. There should be no excuses.
I roll my eyes.
Me: Fine
Maya: That's my girl.
I slip my phone into my bag, pack my things, and head to the restaurant.
---
I'm sitting across from Maya at a small restaurant tucked away on a quiet street.The place is warm and cozy. Soft music plays in the background, and the smell of garlic and freshly baked bread fills the air.
Our plates of pasta sit between us.
Maya has already poured herself a glass of wine.
I take a sip of mine.
“Okay,” I say. “I'm here. Happy?”
“Very.”
Maya leans back in her chair, studying me over the rim of her glass.
I narrow my eyes.
“What?”
Her lips curve into a mischievous smile.
“You have to tell me about the mysterious man.”
I groan.
“Oh, God.”
Maya laughs.
“There is no mysterious man.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
She leans forward, resting her elbows on the table.
“So?”
I sigh.
“He was really good with Lily.”
Her teasing expression softens.
“How?”
I hesitate.
“He remembered the unicorn she wanted.”
“The unicorn?”
I nod.
“The exact one she's been asking me for months.”
I smile despite myself.
“She was so happy.”
My voice softens.
“And he stayed with her at the hospital.”
Maya watches me carefully.
“He didn't have to. He could've left after paying the bills, but he stayed.”
I pause.
“He didn't act like some rich asshole who could just throw money at the problem and disappear.”
Maya slowly raises an eyebrow.
“Interesting.”
I look at her.
“What?”
“You like him.”
I nearly choke on my pasta.
“I do not!”
Maya laughs.
“I don't.”
“You're blushing.”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
“I am married, Maya.”
I deliberately avoid eye contact with her. Maya's smile disappears.
“Oh, please.”
She puts down her fork.
“Let's not bring that up.”
I frown.
“What?”
“Victor isn't fit to be called your husband.”
“Maya…”
“I'm serious.”
“He's still Lily's father.”
I sigh.
“He promised to change.”
Maya doesn't say another word. She just shakes her head. We've had this conversation too many times. And every time, I give her the same answer.
He promised.
But even I don't know how much longer I can keep believing it. Maya suddenly changes the subject.
“Besides, what's his full name?”
I open my mouth.
“Travis Cole, i guess.”
Maya's smile disappears.
“Wait.”
My brows furrow.
“What?”
She leans forward.
“Say that again.”
I blink.
“Say what?”
“His name.”
I hesitate.
“Travis Cole.”
Maya stares at me.
Then slowly puts her glass down.
“Travis Cole?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God, Alexa.”
“What?”
“You don't know who that is, do you?”
“Not really.”
I shrug.
“I casually searched him up one time. He owns a company.”
Maya continues staring.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
I sit up straighter.
“You're scaring me. Who is he?”
Maya stares at me for another second.
Then she bursts out laughing.
“Girl…”
“What?”
“You've been talking about Travis Cole like he's some random guy you met at the hospital.”
“He is a random guy I met at the hospital.”
Maya shakes her head.
“No.”
She leans closer.
“That man is a billionaire.”
I blink.
“What?”
“The CEO of Cole Industries.”
My mouth falls open.
Maya grins.
“Oh, girl. You've hit the jackpot.”
“Mayaaa!”
I reach across the table and lightly hit her arm.
“I'm married!”
“Duh.”
She rolls her eyes.
“Whatever.”
I shake my head.
Maya checks her phone.
“I have a date tonight.”
“What?”
“Yeah. The gym guy.”
She grins.
“Finally.”
I laugh.
“Anyway, he'll be picking me up by eight, so I have to go now.”
She stands and grabs her bag.
“Take care of yourself, my love.”
“I will. Bye.”
She walks away.
I watch her disappear through the restaurant doors.
My smile slowly fades.
Travis Cole.
A billionaire.
The CEO of Cole Industries.
I stare down at my untouched food. Suddenly, everything about him feels different. The expensive gifts. The way he carried himself.
I shake my head.
I need to stop thinking about him.
He's just a stranger.
A stranger I happen to owe a thank-you to.
Nothing more.
---
It is already getting late when I leave the restaurant.
As I drive home, I remember Lily saying she wanted flowers.
She'll love that.I stop at a small flower shop on the way home. The moment I walk inside, the sweet smell of fresh flowers fills the air. I wander between the displays, trying to decide what Lily would like most.
The pink roses catch my attention.
But then I spot a simple bouquet of white flowers. I pick them up.
“Pink or white?” I murmur to myself.
I stare at both for a moment before finally choosing the white ones. I carry them toward the counter.
The florist approaches with a warm smile.
“You can take those.”
I blink.
“What?”
“The flowers.”
I look down at the bouquet.
“But I haven't paid for it yet.”
The woman's smile widens.
“The gentleman already did.”
My heart stops.
“What gentleman?”
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