Semua Bab THE ALPHA CHILDREN LIVES: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The first breakfast arrived on a Tuesday morning.Elena was sitting in the estate's sunroom, trying to keep down some dry toast, when the doorbell rang. Nathaniel answered it and returned moments later carrying an insulated food container with a note attached."It's from Gabriel," Nathaniel said carefully, setting it on the table.Elena's stomach churned, and it had nothing to do with morning sickness. "I don't want it.""Elena…""I told him not to contact me. I was very clear about that." She pushed away from the table, her toast forgotten. "Send it back."Nathaniel opened the note instead. "It says: 'I know you're not sleeping well. Chamomile tea and honey toast helped when you had insomnia during our first year of marriage. I hope it still helps. -G'"Something twisted in Elena's chest. She remembered those early days, when she'd been too anxious about being a good wife to sleep. Gabriel had noticed, one of the few times he'd actually paid attention, and made her tea.It had been o

Gabriel sat in his penthouse office, staring at the bandages wrapped around his left hand.Three fingers. Multiple cuts from the past three weeks of attempting to be something he'd never been: domestic. Useful. The kind of man who could take care of someone through simple, everyday gestures.He'd failed spectacularly.The burns on his right hand were healing, at least. The scar from the knife slip last Tuesday was still tender, but the stitches had held.Small prices to pay for the chance to show Elena he cared.Except she didn't want him to care. She'd made that explicitly clear."Forget about me," Gabriel murmured to the empty office, repeating Elena's words. "Reject her. Let her go."His right hand moved unconsciously to the wedding ring on his left hand, twisting it slowly. He'd never taken it off. Not once in the three months since Elena had left. Not even when his lawyer had suggested it might send the wrong message during the separation.The gold band caught the afternoon light

Elena meets his eyes. Marcus is handsome, successful, and kind. He makes her laugh. He respects her work. He's been patient with her for years, never pushing, never demanding more than she's willing to give.He's perfect on paper.And she feels absolutely nothing when she looks at him."I'm okay with it," she lies.Marcus doesn't believe her. She can see it in his eyes. But he nods anyway. "Alright. Then we move forward with the wedding plans. No more hesitation.""No more hesitation," Elena echoes.They finish lunch, making small talk about the pack business and wedding logistics. Elena goes through the motions, smiling at the right moments, nodding at Marcus's suggestions.But her mind is elsewhere. On a man who still holds pieces of her heart, she thought she'd reclaimed. On a secretary who's clearly playing a long game. Six years of trying to forget someone who won't stay forgotten.When they leave the restaurant, Marcus walks her to her car. "Elena," he says as she reaches for the

Elena spent the entire weekend preparing for Monday's presentation.The hospital board had scheduled a meeting with potential new investors for the alternative medicine wing, a crucial opportunity to secure funding for expanded facilities and new treatment programs. As Chief Healer, Elena was responsible for presenting the wing's success rates, patient testimonials, and future development plans.She'd rehearsed her presentation a dozen times, perfected every slide, prepared for every possible question. This was her chance to prove her worth, to show that she belonged in this position regardless of the rumors Vanessa had been spreading.Monday morning, Elena dressed carefully in a tailored navy dress that accommodated her growing bump while still looking professional. She gathered her materials, took a deep breath, and headed to the hospital's main conference room.The hallway outside was already buzzing with activity. Hospital administrators, board members, and several people she didn

Two could play at this game."You were telling me about the Frost Foundation's research initiatives," Elena said, turning her full attention to Marcus and deliberately angling her body away from Gabriel. "I'd love to hear more."Marcus' eyes gleamed with approval. "Well, we've been particularly interested in the connection between emotional trauma and physical illness..."Elena leaned in, giving Marcus her complete focus. She laughed at his jokes, asked questions about his work, let him refill her water glass with a courteous gesture.To anyone watching, they looked like two people deeply interested in each other.Out of the corner of her eye, Elena saw Gabriel finally free himself from Vanessa. Saw him start toward her table again.But Marcus was already standing, offering his hand. "The music has started. Would you honor me with a dance, Dr. Sterling?"Elena took his hand without hesitation. "I'd be delighted."As Marcus led her onto the dance floor, Elena caught a glimpse of Gabrie