CHAPTER 3: A LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR

The next morning, Arabella Rose Montgomery woke up feeling hopeful.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding her relationship with Alexander, she refused to let her doubts control her happiness. She believed that every relationship had difficult moments, and she was willing to work through them.

After finishing breakfast, she picked up her phone and sent Alexander a message.

Arabella: Good morning, Alex. I hope you slept well. I miss you.

She waited for his reply while getting ready for the day.

Several minutes passed before her phone finally vibrated.

Alexander: Morning, sweetheart. I'm already at the office. I'll call you later.

Arabella smiled at the message.

Arabella: Don't forget to eat lunch. Take care of yourself. Love you.

Alexander: Love you too.

She placed her phone inside her handbag.

Those three words were enough to make her smile, even though she wished he had more time for her.

Meanwhile, inside Blackwood Corporation, Alexander was reviewing several business documents when his secretary entered.

"Mr. Blackwood, your meeting with the investors has been moved to three o'clock."

"All right. Thank you."

The secretary placed another document on his desk.

"Also, Miss Vanessa Claire called earlier. She said she wanted to speak with you."

Alexander briefly stopped reading.

"Did she leave a message?"

"She said you would understand."

He dismissed his secretary with a nod.

A moment later, his phone lit up.

Vanessa: Are you avoiding me again?

Alexander sighed before replying.

Alexander: I'm busy. We can talk later.

He placed his phone facedown and returned to his documents.

However, his attention was no longer entirely on his work.

Back at the Montgomery residence, Arabella was helping her mother arrange some flowers in the dining room.

Margaret noticed her daughter's cheerful expression.

"You're smiling again. Did Alexander call?"

Arabella shook her head.

"He sent me a message."

Her mother gave her a gentle smile.

"That's good, sweetheart. Have you two talked about your future?"

Arabella paused before answering.

"Not really. But I believe we'll figure things out."

Margaret placed a flower inside the vase.

"Love is important, Arabella, but it shouldn't require you to keep begging for reassurance."

"I know, Mom."

"Then don't forget your own happiness while trying to make someone else happy."

Arabella looked at her mother thoughtfully.

"I love him, Mom. I don't want to give up on us just because things aren't perfect."

Margaret gently touched her daughter's cheek.

"I hope he understands how lucky he is to have you."

Arabella smiled and embraced her.

She wanted to believe that her love was strong enough to overcome their problems.

That afternoon, she decided to visit Alexander at his office.

She bought his favorite lunch from a nearby restaurant and carried it inside Blackwood Corporation.

The receptionist greeted her politely.

"Good afternoon, Miss Montgomery."

"Good afternoon. Is Alexander available?"

"I'm afraid Mr. Blackwood is currently in a meeting."

"Oh, that's fine. I'll wait."

The receptionist offered to inform his secretary.

While waiting, Arabella looked around the elegant lobby.

She had visited the building several times before, but today she felt strangely unfamiliar with the place.

A few minutes later, Alexander's secretary approached her.

"Miss Montgomery, Mr. Blackwood is still occupied. Would you like me to leave your lunch in his office?"

Arabella hesitated.

"Actually, I'd rather give it to him personally. But please tell him I stopped by."

"Certainly."

Arabella handed over the lunch and left with a polite smile.

She didn't want to interrupt his responsibilities.

However, as she stepped outside, she noticed a familiar woman walking toward the building.

Vanessa Claire.

Their eyes briefly met.

Vanessa looked at her from head to toe before offering a faint smile.

"Arabella, what a surprise."

Arabella returned the greeting politely.

"Hello, Vanessa. Are you here to see someone?"

Vanessa adjusted her handbag.

"Yes. I have something important to discuss."

Arabella nodded.

"I see. Have a nice day."

She continued walking without another word.

Vanessa watched her leave, an amused expression appearing on her face.

Then she entered the building.

Inside his office, Alexander looked up when Vanessa walked through the door.

"You're here."

Vanessa closed the door behind her.

"Of course. Did you think I wouldn't come?"

Alexander glanced toward the desk where his secretary had left Arabella's lunch.

Vanessa followed his gaze.

"Your girlfriend came here?"

"Yes."

"How sweet of her."

Alexander said nothing.

Vanessa moved closer to his desk.

"Are you going to keep pretending everything is perfect between you two?"

"Not now, Vanessa."

She crossed her arms.

"You keep telling me to wait. How long do you expect me to do that?"

Alexander stood and walked toward the window.

"I have responsibilities."

"And what about me?"

He turned around.

"I said we'll talk later."

Vanessa shook her head in frustration.

"Fine. But don't forget that I'm not someone you can simply ignore."

She walked toward the door, leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts.

That evening, Arabella received a message from him.

Alexander: Thank you for the lunch, sweetheart. I appreciate it.

Arabella: You're welcome. I just wanted to make sure you ate properly.

Alexander: You're so thoughtful.

Arabella smiled.

Arabella: Maybe we can have dinner together tomorrow?

A few moments later, his reply arrived.

Alexander: I'll see what I can do.

Her smile slowly faded.

Still, she typed one final message.

Arabella: All right. I'll be looking forward to it.

She placed her phone on the bedside table and stared at the ceiling.

She knew their relationship wasn't perfect, but she wasn't ready to surrender the future she had imagined with him.

Three years of love deserved an honest conversation, effort, and a chance to become something lasting.

At least, that was what she believed.

Meanwhile, Alexander sat inside his car, reading Arabella's messages.

He knew she deserved honesty.

He knew she deserved someone who would never make her question her worth.

But instead of making the right decision, he started the engine and drove away.

Arabella was still fighting for their love.

Alexander, however, was already fighting to keep two different worlds from colliding.