Chapter 275
Alex recalled vividly that Owen’s guards were all lying cold and lifeless in pools of their own blood.
“Josephine,” he said, his voice laced with a dark intensity, “when one chooses to walk the shadowed path for too long, they inevitably become the very demons they once feared. Even if he has a shred of decency left, when Judgment rains down, he’ll drown in it.”
“What are you trying to say?” Josephine’s voice quivered, eyes wide with confusion.
“The police already got to them. And given that your so–called kind–hearted bodyguard was standing right alongside Owen, he won’t escape the storm that’s coming. The law won’t be merciful.
Josephine’s shoulders sank as she released a weary sigh.
“He was supposed to walk away sooner…”
Alex softened his tone, compassion mingling with his determination.
“Listen, since he tried to help you at the last moment, perhaps we should find his family later and offer them some support. What do you think?”
A faint, grateful smile lit Josephine’s face, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Thank you, Alex.”
“You get some rest,” Alex instructed gently, rising from his seat.
“There’s still work left for me tonight.”
Josephine reached out, her voice hesitant. “Alex, wait–do you know what happened to Owen?”
“He’s alive,” Alex replied tersely, his eyes clouding over with uncertainty.
“But the punishment he’ll face–I promise you, it won’t be gentle.
Josephine nodded slowly, accepting his words, then hesitated once more. “And what about his friend–Scarlett?”
At the mention of Scarlett’s name, Alex’s gaze flashed with a terrifying fury, before quickly masking it with icy calmness.
“What about her?” he asked, his voice dangerously soft.
Josephine’s face twisted in pain and humiliation as she confessed, ‘Owen didn’t plan to rape me at first, but that vile woman, Scarlett–she called him, urged him to rape me. I want her punished too. Can you pass that information to the police?”
Alex’s mouth curled into a menacing smile, eyes burning with cold promise.
“Consider it done. Now, sleep tight, Josephine.”
Descending quietly into the clinic below, Alex halted in astonishment.
The entire room, once a chaotic mess, had been meticulously organized, scrubbed spotless, gleaming softly in the pale lamplight.
Sophia lay sleeping, her graceful form hunched gently over the table, exhaustion etched deeply into her lovely features.
Her brows knitted slightly, conveying silent worry even in her dreams.
Alex felt his heart clench painfully; so much history lay between them, an endless maze of love, pain, longing, and betrayal.
He gazed at her tenderly, his chest tightening with bittersweet affection.
This woman–his torment and his salvation.
Fate had entwined their lives so brutally yet irresistibly, filled with roses as beautiful as they were thorned.
With gentle care, Alex took a blanket, softly draping it over her slender shoulders, savoring the brief closeness. Determined not to disturb her sleep, he began quietly tidying the remaining clutter, his movements methodical and delicate. When everything was perfect, Alex moved to the kitchen, skillfully preparing a simple yet nourishing meal.
Fresh vegetables sliced with practiced precision, tender chicken simmered slowly, filling the air with an aroma as comforting as
a warm embrace.
He knew she must be hungry after such an exhausting day.
Sophia stirred gently, a tempting fragrance pulling her slowly back to consciousness.
She opened her eyes blearily, her heart quickening as she saw Alex placing a generous bowl of steaming chicken soup and warm bread before her.
“You’re back,” she gasped softly, worry filling her beautiful eyes. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m alright,” Alex assured her gently, his voice full of gratitude.
“Josephine is safe upstairs, resting. Thank you–for everything you’ve done today.”
Sophia blushed faintly, lowering her eyes shyly. “I waited for you, but I must have drifted off. I didn’t even hear you come in.”
Alex wisely chose not to mention that he’d slipped in quietly from above.
Instead, he smiled knowingly, “You must be hungry.”
“No, I’m fine,” Sophia protested weakly, though her stomach betrayed her immediately with a rumbling growl.
Alex chuckled warmly, eyes twinkling with soft amusement.
“Seems your stomach disagrees. Eat something, Sophia. Please.”
Sophia sighed softly, eyes tracing the bowl of hearty soup set lovingly before her. “Thank you, Alex.”
One spoonful was enough.
Her eyes widened instantly, sparkling with genuine surprise and delight.
“Alex–this is incredible!” she exclaimed, unable to suppress her pleasure. “Did you know this is exactly how I love chicken soup?”
Alex feigned innocent surprise, masking the careful diligence with which he’d perfected her favorite meal over months of practice.
“Really? I had no idea,” he lied smoothly, a tender warmth seeping through his voice, quietly savoring the soft joy radiating
from her face.
He was just a man trying to build a happy family.
Once upon a time-
Before the bitter shadow of divorce darkened their lives.
In no time at all, Sophia had emptied her bowl, greedily drinking every last drop of the savory broth.
Her hungry eyes drifted toward the steaming pot of chicken soup, the rich aroma beckoning her appetite once again.
“Here, let me get you another helping,” Alex offered warmly, his voice gentle and soothing.
“Thank you,” Sophia replied softly, her voice delicate with gratitude. Only after the third bowl did she finally slow down, resting
the spoon gently against her lips.
“This tastes incredible,” she said, flashing Alex a rare, radiant smile. “Honestly, your cooking could put any master chef to shame.
Alex chuckled lightly, shaking his head modestly. “Maybe it’s just that you’re starving.”
She tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“Is that what you think? Perhaps.” A fleeting happiness danced across her face.
They say a happy stomach makes for a happy life–maybe, just maybe, there was truth to that old saying.
“You know, I enjoy cooking as well,” Sophia continued, curiosity sparkling in her gaze.
“How did you get the chicken so tender? And that aroma–what’s your secret?”
Alex grinned, visibly pleased, launching into a passionate explanation of his culinary methods, describing in vivid detail how he carefully selected fresh vegetables and seasoned the chicken to perfection.
Sophia gasped softly in surprise, eyes widening in genuine awe. “Oh, is that how you do it? Fascinating!”
Before they knew it, the room filled with laughter, their easy conversation bridging the chasm between their hearts.
When Alex finally uncorked a bottle of wine, the atmosphere grew even warmer, wrapping them in a cocoon of intimacy.
Life, for that fleeting moment, seemed perfect no distractions, no family drama–just the two of them, soul to soul, baring
their hearts without fear.
Suddenly, it felt as though they’d found each other again, as if time itself raced joyously forward, urging them to savor every precious second.
“Alex,” Sophia’s voice suddenly grew softer, more hesitant, breaking the gentle spell. “Do you think we could ever… return to how things used to be?”
The quiet vulnerability in her voice froze Alex.
He sat there, stunned and speechless.
Could they truly reclaim their past? He desperately wanted to believe it was possible.
But every time hope had blossomed before, heartache swiftly crushed it. Perhaps this was the moment to dare to believe once
more.
Sophia moved closer, sat beside him, the air thickening between them.
“I need to apologize, Alex,” she said gently, sincerity heavy in her words. “For everything that went wrong between us.”
“Don’t worry,” Alex said softly, his voice tinged with sadness yet laced with tender resignation.
“That’s all in the past now. Men rarely hold grudges against women.”
Being a gentleman wasn’t easy–it meant forgiving without reservation, even if it meant bearing silent wounds.
Women could hurt a man countless times, and society demanded that a man forgive unconditionally.
Yet, if a man slipped up just once, he knew she would forgive, perhaps–but she would never forget.
Still, Alex knew a man couldn’t allow himself to hold onto bitterness like a petty heart.
Sophia’s gaze deepened, locked onto Alex’s eyes, a knowing smile curving her lips. “I’ve always had the feeling that you still care deeply about me. Is that true?”
She moved closer still, her presence magnetic yet terrifying, drawing out a sudden pang of fear in Alex.
3/4
@hapter 275
It wasn’t clear whether he feared losing himself once again to the woman he loved–or dreaded a future that could only hold more pain.
Not long ago, he’d desperately wished for such a moment, for her to speak words like these. But now…
Sophia leaned in slowly, haunted by the image of Jasmine kissing Alex–a memory that inexplicably ignited jealousy and desire. For the first time, Sophia truly saw Alex clearly, undeniably handsome and irresistibly alluring.
A sudden ache rose within her, urging her closer to the strong, masculine lips before her.
“Alex…” Sophia whispered softly, her breath warm, enticing. Inch by inch, her lips drifted closer, drawn by the overwhelming force of longing.
Helplessly captivated by her gaze, Alex found himself moving toward her, their lips drawn together like magnets. 4
