Alexander's POVAs I drove into my father’s apartment complex, the security guards spotted me and opened the gate without hesitation. I rolled down my window halfway and asked, “Is he in?”“Yes, sir. He came in not long ago,” one of them replied.I nodded and drove through the gate and headed for the parking lot.I wasn’t sure what I was going to say to him, if I was going to shout, confront, or just stare at him in disbelief. But I knew I needed answers. Real answers.I parked the car in front of the building, my fingers still clenched on the wheel when my phone started ringing again.Unknown number. I sighed, picked it up, and said, “Hello?”A calm but firm voice came through. “Hello, Alexender. It’s Kyle."I blinked in surprise. Kyle?What the hell did he want?“Okay, Kyle. What’s this about?”“I was hoping we could meet,” he said plainly, "Just you and I, talk as men."“To do what?” I asked as I turned off the engine.“To talk,” he replied. “About Serena.”That made me grip my pho
Alexander's POVI drove in silence, my hands tight on the steering wheel. The road was clear ahead, but my mind was stuck on what Serena had confirmed. My father, he tried to sleep with her.I always knew Vincent was ruthless, manipulative and cruel. But I never imagined he’d sink that low to prey on the one person I ever truly loved.Everything suddenly made sense. The way he spoke about Serena with so much hate. His obsession with control. His attempts to ruin her life. It was never just about power. My phone rang. I glanced at the screen. Pristine.I didn’t want to answer her call, she was the last person I wanted to talk to right now but ignoring her would only feed her paranoia. So I picked up.“Are you still at Serena’s place?” she asked without formalities.“No,” I said shortly. “I left and I’m heading home.”She paused. “How was your meeting with her?”“It was fine,” I replied. “I confirmed what you told me. It’s very true.”“Good. I'm glad you're finally convinced I wasn't
Serena's POV"I haven't healed from my pain," I whispered, as though I was ashamed of something.The therapist looked at me with gentle eyes. "Then you don't need to worry about who to love yet. First, heal."I looked down at my hands again. The room was so silent, so still, it was as if even the air did not want to intrude on what was happening. "How do I handle it, the pressure from these guys?" I said. "It's like, I don't have the guts to tell them no."She leaned her head back slightly, low voice resolute. "You do not have to say no to either of them. Not directly. Not at least until they try to force it from your lips."I gaped. That had not been what I was expecting. "So what do I do, then?"She leaned forward a bit, her clasped hands in her lap. "I don't know the other men well, but I do know Damien. I've been his therapist for years."That made me look up. "You know him that well?"She nodded. "Yes. He's had his own pain to work through. He's a good man, Serena. A complicated
Serena's POV"You know what?" I said, sighing, "I have to be on my way to see the therapist now, before you use your never ending gists to prevent me from going anywhere."She raised her hands in mock surrender. "I set you free from your prison. Go and experience freedom."I chuckled and shook my head, going into the room to get ready.I got ready, wearing my dress, putting up my hair into a low bun, and my legs into flat sandals. I did not want to look too serious, but not unserious either.When I entered, Sophia was already in the living room, curled up on the couch clutching the TV remote. She glared at me and spoke, "Don't stay too long, I'll be using your car later to meet Damien."I picked up my handbag and saluted her in a mock-serious manner."Yes ma'am, I've heard. I won't stay."She waved me off with a smile as I left the suite and pressed the elevator button.The trip down in the elevator was unspoken. I stepped out into the hotel lobby, nodding minimally at the staff as I
Serena's POVAlexander placed the glass of water down slowly. “I’m sorry, Serena. For everything. For not listening, for not protecting you, for letting my father come between us.”I felt his words, but I didn’t know what to do with them.“I appreciate the apology," I said finally. "But it can't erase the pain, or what occurred.""I know," he replied. "I don't even expect you to forgive me. I only needed the truth. And to be able to thank you, for standing your ground. For not allowing him to shatter you."I studied my hands. "I wasn't alone either.""I know. Damien…" he said with a thin smile. "He's a good man."I didn't speak.He rose slowly. "Alright, thanks for allowing me in."As he exited, I caught him."Alex…"He stopped."Thank you. For what you did in court. It shocked me in a good way. I never thanked you."He smiled weakly, his eyes tired. "Perhaps someday, I'll be the man you thought I could be."Then he left, leaving behind a silence I couldn't explain.When Sophia return
Serena's POVHe looked tired, like he hadn’t slept properly, but his eyes were fixed on me like he had something serious to say.“Hi,” he said.I blinked. “What are you doing here?”“I need to talk to you,” he said, voice calm but serious.I did not answer back. I could feel Sophia behind me, watching the whole scene."I was going out," I said eventually."It will not be long," he went on.I sighed and stepped aside to let him in. He walked in slowly, his eyes scanning the room as if it held secrets.I shut the door quietly and turned back to face him, already readying myself. I had no clue why he was there, but I was positive that he probably wanted to beg."Hello, Sophia," he said, turning to Sophia."Hello," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Just so we're clear, just because Damien brought you the other day doesn't mean you can show up again uninvited."He nodded faintly, his voice low. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come without calling first. Serena blocked me, and I could hav