4. Distraught

As the first rays of dawn broke through the curtains, Alex sat upright, restless and on edge. Thoughts of Sophia consumed him, gnawing at his mind until he couldn’t stay still any longer. It was still dark when he grabbed his jacket and stormed out, determined to confront her before she vanished from his life for good.

He drove through the empty streets, his grip on the steering wheel tight enough to turn his knuckles white. Frustration boiled over, and he punched the wheel before running a hand through his hair. His mind was in chaos, replaying the events of the previous day. What have I done?

When he pulled up to the mansion, his heart pounded with nothing but fear. He stepped out, his gaze darting around briefly before he ruffled his hair in frustration. He wasn’t thinking straight.

He knew he hadn’t been the best husband over the years, but had she really betrayed him so easily? He had given her everything. Financial security, a lavish lifestyle…what else did she need? Why had she slept with someone else? The thought sent a fresh wave of rage and confusion through him.

Shaking it off, he pushed open the front door and walked inside. He had almost gone to Alice’s house last night, but at the last second, he’d turned the car around and spent the night in a hotel instead.

Standing in the middle of the living room, he debated whether to go upstairs and check her room first or head straight to the dining room, where he had left the divorce papers. His feet moved before his mind made the decision, taking him toward the dining room.

The sight of the papers on the table made his movement come to a sharp halt.

Taking a deep breath, he rested his hands on his waist, hesitating. A part of him hoped that she hadn’t signed them yet.

With a trembling hand, he pulled the papers from the file and unfolded them. The moment he saw her signature, his stomach twisted. His fists clenched, his head pounded. She signed it. The proof that she was willing to walk away without a second thought.

She didn’t care. If she did, she wouldn’t have signed it so easily. He had expected her to plead, to at least fight for their marriage. If she had, maybe… just maybe… he would have reconsidered.

Anger surged through him, mixing with hurt and disbelief. With a sharp motion, he swiped the papers off the table, sending them flying.

His breath came hard and uneven. She had made her decision. She wanted this, too.

Running a hand through his hair, he cursed under his breath. He shouldn’t have come here hoping for something different. The reality hit him hard… he was too late.

Jaw clenched, he turned and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Outside, his gaze landed on Eric, the chauffeur, who stood waiting by the driveway. Alex had been so consumed by his thoughts that he hadn’t even noticed him before.

"When did she leave?" Alex asked, his voice rough.

"An hour before midnight," Eric answered.

Alex nodded. She left an hour after he did. Had she been that desperate to leave? Has this been her plan all along?

The thought sent fresh rage coursing through him. He stalked toward his car, yanked the door open, and climbed inside. With his jaw tight and his grip like a vise on the steering wheel, he sped away from the mansion, leaving behind a shattered marriage and a heart full of anger.

*********

Alex sat in his office at the family business headquarters, his gaze unfocused as he flipped mindlessly through the file in front of him. His mind was elsewhere.

His eyes landed on the divorce papers, still on his desk, unsigned by him. He had already told his family about his decision, and, as expected, both his grandfather and father had been furious.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

The door opened, and a man in his early fifties stepped inside. His jet-black hair was slicked back neatly, and his expression was blank..

Alex straightened slightly. His uncle, Charles. Had the news already reached him?

"Alex, my boy," Charles said, stepping further into the room and lowering himself onto the couch. "I heard about the divorce."

Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly. "That was fast. I only told Grandfather two hours ago."

"For something that's already the talk of the city? I’d say I’m late to the news," Charles said smoothly.

Alex frowned. The talk of the city? How the hell had the rumors spread so quickly when only he and Sophia had known?

With a sigh, he rubbed his forehead. Maybe talking to someone would help clear his thoughts. "I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Charles," he admitted. "This was what I wanted—to be free from my marriage. And now I have it. I should be relieved. I am free. I can do whatever I want. But..." He trailed off, struggling to say the words.

He twirled a pen between his fingers before continuing, "I can’t shake the feeling that I made a terrible mistake. Maybe I handled things the wrong way. Maybe I should go find Sophia and explain. Try to fix things."

Charles leaned back, studying him. "I understand the need for closure, Alex. But maybe things turned out this way for a reason."

Alex frowned. "What do you mean?"

Charles picked up a Rubik’s cube from the desk, turning the blocks slowly as if lost in thought. A small, knowing smile crossed his lips.

"Oh, you know," he said. "Sometimes things happen beyond our control. And sometimes, even when we don’t understand it at the moment, it’s for the best." He set the cube down and met Alex’s gaze. "Besides, your marriage to Sophia was forced, wasn’t it? You never wanted it, and from the looks of it, neither did she. If she had, would she have betrayed you so easily?"

Alex clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Charles continued, his tone calm but pointed. "She might not have been happy, but infidelity? That’s something society frowns upon. If she couldn’t stay faithful in the marriage, what makes you think she would if you went chasing after her?" He tapped a finger against the side of his head. "Think, Alex. In my opinion, you’re better off this way."

Alex leaned back in his chair, his uncle’s words echoing in his mind. A wave of realization settled over him.

Was he being naive? She had wronged him. So why was he even considering going after her?

Charles’s logic made sense. It should make sense. But something still didn’t sit right.

His gaze flickered to the divorce papers. "I suppose you’re right," he said, though his voice lacked conviction. "It’s just… hard to accept."

Charles smiled faintly. "Life rarely goes the way we expect. The only thing we can do is move forward."

But even as Alex nodded, even as he told himself that Sophia had done something unforgivable, a part of him still felt broken.

He might have accepted his uncle’s words, but he couldn’t just sit still.

Standing, he grabbed the divorce papers and walked toward the door.

Charles stood, watching him carefully. "Going somewhere important?"

Alex nodded. "Yes."

He reached for the handle, exhaling slo

wly.

She had done something that shattered him. She had made him lose control. But still… he needed to at least hear her side of the story.

Something he had failed to do last night.