Jewelry Box

Ch. 9 The Hideous Ex

Victoria

I watched as my maids carefully packed my belongings, each trunk carried down to the three carriages Alexander had sent at dawn.

Today, I was to leave with him. No matter how hard I tried to steady my nerves, the weight in my chest refused to lift.

I had never left the duchy before, never been so far from my family, from the people who knew me best.

A knock interrupted my thoughts. The butler stood at the door, his face grim.

“My lady,” he bowed.

Something in his tone unsettled me.

“Is something wrong?”

He hesitated.

“Forgive me, but… you have a guest.”

“A guest?” My brows furrowed. “Now? I don’t have time for anyone.”

Still, I descended the stairs. A voice greeted me before I even saw him, familiar, unwelcome, and enough to make my blood run cold.

“Victoria,” James said with a smile that chilled me.

My stomach dropped. James.

The butler leaned toward me.

“Shall I fetch the duke?”

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head, though my hands curled into fists.

I faced him step by step, refusing to cower.

“What do you want, James?” I demanded.

“To visit,” he replied lightly, though his eyes gleamed with malice.

“There is no reason for you to be here. Leave.”

His smile faltered, his face twisting with anger.

“We have nothing left to discuss,” I said coldly. “If my father finds you here, you’ll regret it.”

“Nothing?” he echoed, his voice mocking.

I studied him, the same cruel eyes I remembered, the same sneer from the moment he killed me.

My body shuddered at the memory.

“James,” I warned.

Too late, his hand clamped around my wrist.

“Let go!” I hissed, yanking back.

“Mr. Kendrick!” the butler snapped.

James released me reluctantly, but his glare burned into me.

“Get. Out,” I growled. “Before I throw you out myself.”

“Who do you think you are?” he muttered.

I forced a calm breath, refusing to let him win.

“Fine. Then I’ll leave.” But in a heartbeat, his hand seized me again, harsher this time.

He dragged me forward as servants panicked, and the butler ran to call for help.

“James!” I cried, struggling. “Let go!”

Then, steel flashed. My heart stopped.

Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me back.

“Alexander…”

His sword was at James’s throat. His voice was ice.

“You were dragging my fiancée. Against her will. Am I correct?”

James sneered but backed away.

“This isn’t over, Lombardy.”

Alexander’s grip tightened on me.

“Are you threatening Victoria?”

James’s gaze lingered on me, then he spat, “This is between her and me,” before storming off.

Only when his carriage disappeared did I sag against Alexander, my strength leaving me.

“Are you all right?” His voice was low, protective, his breath brushing my ear.

I looked up. His blue eyes, sharp and stormy, locked onto mine—and my heart faltered.

“Victoria?”

“When did you get here?” My voice was barely a whisper.

“I came to fetch you,” he admitted. “But then I saw this.”

Before I could respond, another voice joined us.

“Father?”

He took in the scene, his frown deepening.

“It’s nothing,” I said quickly. “Alexander arrived on time. James was here.”

The name alone made Father’s expression harden.

“How dare he step foot here… I’ll double the guards.”

“There’s no need,” Alexander interjected firmly. “She leaves with me today. My men will protect her wherever she goes. Nothing will happen to her under my watch.”

Father’s eyes narrowed.

“You have more enemies than the king himself. I wonder if she is safer with you… or with that Kendrick boy.”

The words stung, but I lifted my chin.

“I trust Alexander.”

Their gazes snapped at me. My father sighed, then embraced me tightly.

“You have everything you need?”

“Yes.” I smiled through the ache. “And I’ll visit every day.”

“This old man will miss you,” he whispered.

“You may visit whenever you wish,” Alexander said, his tone softer now. “Victoria would love that.”

Finally, we departed. Inside the carriage, silence pressed heavily between us.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my laugh trembling. “If you hadn’t arrived… I was about to lose it.”

But Alexander’s expression was shadowed, his jaw tense.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“That Kendrick man looked unhinged,” he muttered. “Do you know what he wanted?”

“No,” I admitted, though unease still churned within me.

“I’ll have someone watch him.”

I turned to the window, watching my childhood home slip away. My chest tightened, but I held back tears.

After a long ride, I looked out the windows.

“It seems we’re here,” I said softly.

“Yes.” His eyes found mine, steady and resolute. “Welcome home, my duchess.”