Torn Between Two Vows

CHAPTER 3: HIS SWEETHEART

The orange Lamborghini Veneno tore through the gates of the massive Sterling estate, its engine roaring like an angry beast before screeching to a halt in the grand driveway.

Alex stepped out, his expression dark and unreadable. The staff inside the sprawling mansion bowed respectfully as he passed, but nobody dared to speak to him. The cold, suffocating mood surrounding their young boss warned everyone to keep their distance.

He marched straight up the grand staircase and headed into his master suite. His entire day was completely ruined.

He hated it. He absolutely hated it whenever anyone brought up that nightmare from his past.

Stepping into the luxurious, marble tiled bathroom, Alex stripped off his clothes and stepped beneath the rainfall shower head. He turned the handle, letting the cool water cascade down his tall, muscular body.

He closed his eyes, hoping the water would wash away the frustration, but as the droplets ran down his face, the dark memories surged back with terrifying force.

Vivid images from that rainy night five years ago flashed across his mind like a cruel movie. He saw his younger, twenty two year old self kneeling on the cold, wet asphalt in the middle of a torrential downpour. He remembered the metallic smell of blood, the shattered glass reflecting the red flashing lights of the ambulance, and the fragile, bloody body he held tightly in his trembling arms.

"Open your eyes! Please, just talk to me!" his younger self had screamed into the night, begging for a miracle that never came.

It had been his twenty second birthday. She had been organizing a massive surprise party for him, running around to make everything perfect. In her hurry to get the remaining gifts and decorations to the venue in time, she had pressed too hard on the gas pedal. The car had skidded on the slick road, crashing violently into a guardrail.

She had fallen into a deep coma that very night.

In the painful months that followed, broken by guilt and grief, a young Alexander had made a solemn vow at her bedside. He had promised to wait for her, no matter how long it took. And for almost four long, empty years, he had kept true to his word, shutting his heart off from the world, throwing himself entirely into building the Sterling Empire, and living like an emotionless ghost.

Until Meena stepped into his life.

Meena had walked into his dark world like a beam of pure sunlight, shattering his walls and rocking his entire foundation. The love he developed for her was deeper, warmer, and far greater than anything he had ever imagined possible. She had taught him how to live again. She was his sweetheart, his anchor, and the thought of losing her was something he knew he could never survive.

Yet, as he turned off the shower and wrapped a plush white towel around his waist, he couldn't completely shake off the uneasy, heavy feeling sitting in his chest.

Alex stepped out into the grand bedroom, using a smaller towel to dry his damp dark hair.

Suddenly, the heavy bedroom doors pushed open.

"Alex?"

Meena walked in, her arms full of elegant, high end shopping bags from the city's most exclusive boutiques. The moment her eyes landed on her fiance standing by the bed, glistening wet, his dark hair messy, looking impossibly handsome, her eyes lit up with pure joy. A delighted squeal escaped her lips.

She hadn't expected him to be home at all, since he was supposed to be hanging out with his friends until late evening.

"Oh, my baby!" Meena cried happily, tossing the shopping bags onto a nearby leather couch without a second thought.

She rushed across the soft carpet and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

The very second Meena's soft body pressed against his, the dark storm inside Alex completely dissolved. His sharp, tense facial features melted into softness, and the dark thoughts lingering in his mind vanished into thin air. Her sweet scent filled his senses, instantly bringing him a sense of peace no medicine in the world could buy.

"Careful, my sweet," Alex chuckled softly, his deep voice rich with warmth as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest despite being wet. "You're going to get your pretty dress soaked."

"I don't care," Meena giggled, leaning back just enough to look up into his handsome face. She placed a quick, warm kiss on his chin, then another on his cheek, before resting her lips against his in a soft, sweet kiss. "I missed you so much today."

Alex smiled softly, leaning down to deepen the kiss. He pressed his lips against hers with a deep, slow passion, lingering there until Meena felt breathless. His hand moved up to gently cup the back of her head, his thumb caressing her soft cheek.

"I missed you too," Alex whispered against her lips, pressing another gentle kiss to the tip of her nose. "How was your day with Mom?"

Meena's face brightened as she leaned her head against his bare chest, her small hands resting over his heart. "It was so wonderful! Your mom is amazing, Alex. She took me to three different bridal shops. We picked out the most beautiful silk table runners for the reception, and she even helped me choose some gorgeous shoes for the rehearsal dinner."

She looked back up at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she tapped his chest gently. "And guess who paid for all of it? My handsome, generous billionaire fiance and his magic black card."

Alex let out a low, velvety laugh, his eyes fixed on her with absolute devotion. "That card belongs to you just as much as it belongs to me, my love. Buy whatever makes you happy."

Meena smiled, standing on her tiptoes to wrap her arms back around his neck, placing a soft kiss on his cheek before leaning in to press her forehead against his.

"We had so much fun, but I really thought you'd still be at the club with Kyler and the guys," Meena said softly, a subtle hint of curiosity in her voice. "Why are you back so early, baby? Did something happen?"

Alex’s eyes flickered for a fraction of a second, the memory of Kyler’s words threatening to surface again. But looking at the innocent, loving woman in his arms, he instantly pushed the dark clouds back down into the depths of his mind.

He wasn't going to let anything ruin their happiness. Not today, not ever.

"Nothing happened, sweetheart," Alex said smoothly, his tone soft and reassuring as he leaned down to kiss her lips gently. "The guys were just being noisy, and I got a bit tired. I realized I'd much rather be home, wrapped up in bed with my beautiful wife to be."

Meena’s heart melted at his sweet words. A blush bloomed across her cheeks, and she smiled softly, wrapping her arms tighter around him.

"I like the sound of that," she murmured softly against his chest, completely unaware of the shadow that had briefly touched his heart, feeling safer in his arms than anywhere else in the world.