Chapter 5 Ex Drama

I pressed my face against the first-floor window of the North estate. Inside, my grandparents were lounging on the living room sofa, absorbed in what looked like a History Channel documentary.

"Coast is clear," I whispered to Alexander, who was standing behind me with his sleeves already rolled up. "Let's go."

We approached the sturdy drainpipe that ran up the side of the house to the second floor.

I grabbed onto the pipe and started scaling it with practiced ease. When I reached the midway point, I glanced down to see Alexander following, his movements surprisingly agile for a corporate CEO in dress pants.

Soon we were both pulling ourselves onto the second-floor balcony outside my bedroom. I slid open the glass door that I always left unlocked.

"That was quite the entrance," Alexander commented as we stepped into my bedroom.

"What can I say? I like to keep things interesting." I grinned, closing the balcony door behind us. "It's my standard route when I don't want to deal with the third degree from my parents."

"You do this often?" He looked genuinely curious.

"Mostly after I've been in fights," I admitted. "Walking through the front door with blood on your clothes tends to cause a scene."

"Why get into fights in the first place?" Alexander asked.

I shrugged. "Some people only understand physical consequences. Come on, my documents are probably in my grandfather's study or their bedroom."

We crept down the hallway and slipped into my grandparents' bedroom. I immediately headed for the large oak desk in the corner.

"Check the drawers while I look through the filing cabinet."

We searched silently for a few minutes. I rifled through folder after folder, finding nothing but old tax documents and family photographs.

"Could they be in a safe?" Alexander suggested.

"The only safe in this house is in Grandpa's closet, and trust me, you don't want to look in there."

"Why not?"

"It's full of candy. Grandpa has a serious sweet tooth, but Grandma worries about his blood sugar."

Alexander chuckled – a deep, genuine sound that caught me by surprise.

Our moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

"Shit, they're coming up," I hissed, grabbing Alexander's arm. "Under the bed, quick!"

I dropped to the floor and started sliding under the king-sized bed. Alexander hesitated, looking at the tight space dubiously.

"Move your ass!" I whispered urgently, reaching out to slap his butt. That got him moving. He dropped down and wiggled his way under, his broad shoulders barely fitting.

I squeezed in beside him just as the bedroom door opened. From our hiding spot, I could see my grandmother's slippered feet and my grandfather's leather loafers.

"Warren and Eleanor are really something," Grandma said with a sigh. "Sending Emma to work at Sterling Group without even discussing it with us first. What if things don't work out? What if she ends up heartbroken instead of married?"

"You worry too much," Grandpa replied. "That granddaughter of ours is too stubborn to let anyone hurt her. If anything, I'm more concerned for Alexander."

"Where did you put Emma's documents?" Grandpa suddenly asked.

"In the wardrobe," Grandma replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Just checking they're still there. You never know, those two might hit it off and want to get married sooner rather than later."

I nearly choked. Alexander's hand found mine under the bed and squeezed it gently.

"I think I'll take a nap," Grandpa announced.

To my horror, the mattress above us sagged as both my grandparents climbed onto the bed. Within minutes, the room was filled with the soft sounds of their snoring.

We lay perfectly still until the snoring had become deep. Finally, we carefully extracted ourselves from under the bed.

I tiptoed to the wardrobe and found a folder containing my birth certificate, passport, and other identification documents.

We were almost at the door when my phone suddenly blared with a notification sound.

The snoring stopped abruptly. I froze, documents clutched to my chest, as my grandparents stirred.

"Emma?" Grandpa's groggy voice called out. "Is that you, child?"

I turned slowly, offering a weak smile. "Hey... Grandpa, Grandma. Good afternoon."

"What are you holding there?" Grandpa asked, eyeing the papers in my hand with a knowing look.

"My identification documents," I replied honestly.

"Documents for what purpose?" Grandpa's voice was stern.

"For our marriage registration," I replied bluntly.

"WHAT?" Grandpa's eyebrows shot up.

Alexander stepped forward. "Sir, ma'am, I'd like to marry your granddaughter. I apologize for the unorthodox entrance."

Grandpa scrutinized Alexander. "Do you even know each other well enough for marriage?"

"No," Alexander admitted. "But I know enough about Emma to be certain she's the woman I want. I promise to take care of her and cherish her, always."

"Emma is quite... spirited," Grandpa warned. "Most men find her too challenging to handle."

Alexander's response surprised me. "Emma's spirit is precisely what draws me to her. She's not wild without reason – every action she takes has purpose behind it."

"And you, Emma?" Grandpa turned to me. "Are you certain about this marriage?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes, Grandpa. I'm willingly marrying Alexander."

Grandpa studied us both before his expression softened. "Emma, trust your old grandpa – you two will have a good life together."

He passed the documents to Alexander with a meaningful look. "Take care of my girl."

We made our goodbyes and headed out the front door like normal people.

Outside, I remembered something. "Um, Mr. Sterling? There's somewhere else we need to go."

"Where?"

"The hospital," I said. "My ex-boyfriend threatened to kill himself if I didn't get back together with him."

Alexander's expression grew serious. "Get in my car."

At the hospital parking lot, Alexander extended his hand to me. After a moment's hesitation, I took it. A strange tingling sensation traveled up my arm at his touch.

Inside, I spotted David's friends, including his new girlfriend Caitlin. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me.

"You bitch!" she screamed, lunging toward me.

Alexander caught her wrist before she could make contact. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said, his voice dangerously calm.

I looked past her. "So, did you bring me here to view David's corpse?" I asked coldly.

"You cold-blooded animal," Caitlin spat. "How can you be so callous?"

Tyler stepped forward. "You dated for a year, Emma. He's fighting for his life, and you're making jokes?"

"We broke up," I snapped. "He has a new girlfriend now. He cheated on me with Caitlin, I graciously stepped aside, and now he's throwing a tantrum because I won't take him back?"

I took a step toward the emergency room doors. "Maybe I should tell the doctors to stop trying so hard."

Caitlin grabbed my arm, her face contorted with panic. "You can't do that!"

I shook her off. "Get your priorities straight. Your boyfriend is trying to get back with his ex, and you're defending him? Have some self-respect."

I kicked open the emergency room doors, making several doctors and nurses jump.