Chapter 7; What are you saying?

The faint glow of the morning crept through the wide windows, spilling across the living room where i laid. I didn’t mean to fall asleep, at least not in his house. I recalled him offering me a room to lay my head. I remembered declining, wanting to prove a point that my stay was temporary- just for the night. I sighed deeply, sitting upright. The scent of freshly brewed coffee caught my attention. For a moment i forgot where i was. Hmm, fresh air. My world was noisy and this place, there was this unnerving quietness that only wealth could afford. Then the memory hit me like a stone- the robbery, Alex rescuing me, and my own defiant words- just tonight.

I pushed the blanket aside quickly, as if rejecting the comfort would undo my slip of weakness. I rose from the couch, brushing my hair out of my face while straightening my wrinkled blouse. I knew i couldn’t give Alex the satisfaction of seeing me vulnerable. 

“Morning”, Alex voice came from the opened kitchen.

“You’re up early”

“ Of course, if i recall correctly, someone was leaving my house this morning”, He paused, “It’s only right i see you off”

My chest tightened at the arrogance of his reply. He sounded sarcastic, as though he was sure i wasn’t going to leave. He wasn’t wrong, i barely knew how to reach Sallie, or even where she stayed. I was stuck here, my life was already predictable and i hoped he wouldn’t play it to his advantage. 

I’ll leave before he even notices, I thought, clutching my small handbag, it was the only thing i had left after the robbery. My fingers trembled around the strap as i remembered the incident. The image of the men grabbing my belongings, my throat tightening at the memory. I had survived worse. I didn’t need Alex Wilson, the elder brother of my supposed fiancee. I thought of his brother, Veronica and everybody back home, i sure knew- i wouldn,t be missed. My parents could care less about me at this point. I sighed deeply, i was already disowned of course, they'd careless.

I slipped outside as soon as Alex was out of sight, making sure my  footsteps were soundless against the polished floor. The house was bigger than i remembered and its silence was heavy. 

“Leaving without breakfast?”

Alex voice slid through the air before i saw him. i froze, shamefully walking  back to the living room. Alex was seated at the dining table with a mug in his hand and his sleeves rolled to his elbows. He looked entirely at ease, as though he had been waiting for this exact moment.

I looked at him, fighting the urge to shrink. I knew he was enjoying this, the satisfaction was boldly written on his face.

 “I said I wouldn’t stay long. I meant it.”

He set his mug down, leaning back slightly in his chair, his dark eyes fixed on me. “And where will you go?, back to your robbery scene?”

I was taken aback by his words. A typical thing for a cold hearted man to say.

“I’ll manage.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.” My tone was sharper than i intended, but i couldn’t help it. Not after the shade he threw about me going back to where i got robbed, how dare he use my trauma against me. He was too calm, too certain, and it infuriated me.

I waited for a word from him. I got none, just his gaze- uncomfortable. I shifted, clutching my bag tighter.

“You’re hurt,” he said finally. “Not visibly. But I can see it. You’re trying so hard to stand straight when your shoulders want to cave in.”

I squeezed my face, forcing a laugh. “Don’t try to psychoanalyze me, Mr. Wilson. You don’t know me.”

“Maybe not,” he admitted. “But I’ve seen people like you before. People who carry themselves with too much pride because if they don’t, they’ll crumble.”

My nails dug into the strap of my bag. “You don’t know anything about what I’ve been through.”

“I know enough,” Alex said smoothly, his voice was low but firm. “You were disowned. Failed marriage ceremony. Robbed. Humiliated by the Summers’ scandal. Your name is a shadow of what it once was. And yet you stand here, pretending you can just walk out of this house and… what? Sleep on the street? Where were you even headed to?”

I stiffened. His words were knives, too precise, too close to the truth i didn’t want to admit.

“I was on my way to meet my bestfriend Sallie…I’ll find my way,” I whispered, though my voice lacked the steel i wished it had.

Alex rose slowly, his presence filled the space. “Olivia, pride won’t feed you. It won’t keep you safe. You’re strong, yes, but you’re also cornered. And pretending otherwise won’t change reality.”

I hated how my throat burned, hated how his words dug under my skin. I wanted to scream at him, to tell him he was wrong-but a traitorous part of me knew he wasn’t.

He stopped a few feet from me, his tone softened just slightly. “Sit. Have breakfast. Then, if you still want to leave, I won’t stop you.”

It was the calm certainty in his voice that unsettled me more than anything. He wasn’t begging. He wasn’t even trying to manipulate me-at least not openly. He was simply stating the facts, as though he already knew i wouldn’t go.

I hesitated a bit, my stomach betrayed me with a quiet rumble. I lowered my gaze. I was embarrassed.

A faint smile ghosted over his lips. “Sit down, Olivia. No one wins by collapsing on an empty stomach.”

Reluctantly, i crossed the room and took the seat opposite him. The aroma of warm bread and eggs hit me, making me painfully aware of how long it had been since i had eaten properly. I picked up the fork, forcing myself to eat slowly, though every bite seemed to mock my pride.

Alex didn’t press further. He simply watched, sipping his coffee, his expression was unreadable. He no longer gave that satisfactory look- the look of finally winning over me. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Finally, I set my fork down, looking at him. “Don’t think this means anything. I’ll leave after this.”

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “You keep saying that. But do you believe it?”

My breathe hitched. I was already flaring with anger. “Yes.”

“Then why do you sound unsure?”

I rose to my feet furiously. Shame twisted inside me. “Because you make it sound like I’m helpless! I’ve survived worse than this. I don’t need your charity.”

Alex’s eyes hardened, but his voice remained calm. “This isn’t charity.”

“Then what is it?” I demanded.

His pause was deliberate and calculated. When he spoke, his words landed like a weight between them.

“It’s an opportunity. For both of us.”

I blinked, thrown by the certainty in his tone. How he be doing us both a favour when i’m clearly the one in need of help. “What are you talking about?”

He rose, circling the table with slow, measured steps until he stood close enough that i could feel the heat of his presence.

“I have a solution to your problem,” he said paused, “And to mine.”

My pulse quickened, unease prickling down my spine. The way he looked at me made me feel like the room had shrunk, the air was too thick.

“What kind of solution?” i asked.

Alex’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “One that will protect your name, give you back control of your life… and benefit me in return.”

My brows drew together, with suspicions in my eyes. “Protect my name? Benefit you? What are you even saying, Alex?”

He studied me, as if weighing how much truth i could handle in one sitting. Then he exhaled slowly, decisive. “Marry me.”