CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN: DEFEATED

Alexander’s POV

I sat in my usual silent solitude behind my desk, rustling through piles of paper on my table. I felt different today. I was not wearing my usual cloak of arrogance. I felt a sense of ease, one I could not remember ever feeling. Maybe it was listening to Catherine sob into my shoulders all night or maybe it was admitting my feelings to her in the Bookstore I had just acquired for her. I was shifting and it was as exciting as it was terrifying and I could not silence the deep fear that it was all an illusion.

The door to my office swung open without a knock, barging into my thoughts and Uncle Richard stormed in. His face, the usual blend of anger and satisfaction, his eyes flashing with a cold, hard gleam. I looked up, not the least bit shaken by his sudden intrusion.

“Alexander,” He said, his voice coursed with barely concealed contempt. “Dear Nephew,” His gaze swept my office with desire and longing.

“What do you want Uncle Richard?” I dropped my ball ben, trying