로그인SophieI watched him walk away, broad shoulders stiff, fists still balled like he expected Donald to jump out from behind a tree and try again. Something in my chest twisted—not gratitude, just the uncomfortable pressure of knowing I owed him something I wasn’t ready to give. I cleared my throat.“Alex,” I called.He stopped immediately, turning halfway toward me.“Come in,” I said, holding the door open because apparently I had lost control of my mouth. “But only for tea. That’s… my way of saying thank you for your unwanted rescue.”His lips twitched. Not a smile, not really. “Unwanted,” he echoed, and walked back toward the house. The night air trailed after him as he stepped inside, bringing the scent of rain-soaked dust and adrenaline.I locked the door behind us, more out of habit than necessity, and walked to the kitchen. My hands trembled as I filled the kettle, and I hated that he noticed…of course he noticed. Alex noticed everything, even the things I desperately wished he w
Alexander I stared at her, still trying to catch my breath from everything that had just happened, and asked, “Are you okay?”The look Sophie shot me made it feel like I had asked her if the sun was square.“Am I supposed to be okay?” she snapped, eyes wide and still vibrating with leftover adrenaline. “I just watched you punch Donald like you were auditioning for a boxing match!”I blinked. “You’re welcome?”She threw her hands up. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m okay. Or at least I’m trying to be. But what are you even doing here?”That question hit me harder than my fist had hit Donald.“What do you mean what am I doing here?” I asked, frowning. “You called me. I got your message.”She froze. “My what?”“Your message,” I repeated. “You left me a voice mail—sounded like you were two breaths away from passing out.”“That’s impossible,” she muttered and reached for her phone like she didn’t trust a word I was saying.But the moment she unlocked it, I saw the panic flash across her face. Her thum
AlexanderThe last thing I should be worrying about is the woman Derrick is fucking and promising marriage. It's none of my damn business but I can't just pretend that it doesn't remind me of Sophie…of what he put her through. I got into my car still muttering under my breath about Derrick and his unnecessary dramatics. My shirt was damp with sweat from the gym, and the last thing I wanted was another round of stress. I pulled the door shut, exhaled, and reached for my phone. That was when I saw the notification, one unheard voicemail. I pressed play, expecting some client or another pointless update.But it was Sophie.Her voice came through in a shaky rush. “Alex—there’s someone in my house. He won’t leave. I don’t know what to do. Please—just—just come or something. I already called the cops but—” The message cut off.My chest tightened instantly. I didn’t even think; I just turned the ignition and sped out of the parking lot. Traffic blurred into nothing. All I could picture was
AlexanderThe weight in my hands felt lighter than usual, not because I had suddenly grown stronger, but because I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the motion—up, down, breathe, repeat. The gym was the only place where I could escape the constant noise of the office, the endless demands, the back-to-back meetings, and the expectations that came with being a Weillman. Sweat dripped down my forehead and slid into my eyes as I finished my last rep and dropped the dumbbells with a thud.I grabbed my towel and wiped my face, turning away from the mirror and that was when my phone started ringing, loud enough to ruin my fleeting sense of peace. I groaned and snatched it off the bench beside me. The caller ID flashed Derrick.Of course.I answered, already annoyed. “What?”“Get back to the office,” he said, voice way too casual for what sounded like an order.I clenched my jaw. “You have five seconds to tell me why I shouldn’t hang up on you.”“We need to look at the recent analysi
Sophie I stirred the sauce in the pot, letting the rich aroma of tomatoes and garlic fill the kitchen. It’s one of those evenings where the silence feels heavier than usual, like it’s reminding me I’m alone. Celine was supposed to drop by after work, but she texted that she was tired and needed space to think. I didn’t ask questions. She’s been on edge lately, and I get it. Things with her boyfriend— sorry, ex has been messy, and she’s drowning in the middle of it.The knock at the door is sharp three loud thuds that rattle me. I wipe my hands on a towel and walk toward the entrance, already assuming it’s Celine having a change of heart. Maybe she needs someone to talk to after all.But when I opened the door, it wasn't her.It’s Donald.My heart stumbled.He looks different from the last time I saw him like he hasn’t slept in days. His hair is unkempt, eyes restless, and the way he shifts on his feet tells me he’s too anxious for this to be a casual visit.“Donald,” I say, my voice
SophieI was certain I was ready for whatever this is but I wasn't. The moment Derrick appeared at the hallway, everything in me twisted. Not for good, for bad. Don't get me wrong, I'm over him and I do not care about him but there's still an intense anger I feel around him. Like he owes me something and that I needed to collect it… closure?Hell no. I got closure from his brother and that should be all from the Weillmans. I really have no idea how this merger is going to work, but I certainly do not want to be anywhere close to them. “Sophie!” Derrick called, pushing his hands into his jacket in a casual way. I swallowed hard, stopping. “Yes?”“Isn’t it good to see you?” “I don't think so.” My response was stern, short, just so he could get the memo but it was clear he wasn't getting it or maybe he just wanted to play dumb. “Oh no, it's so good to see you after all these years of hiding.” I clenched my jaw and watched as he moved closer. If I'm not mistaken, he was actually f







