《The bride i never wanted》全部章節：第 41 章 - 第 50 章

The next morning, Sophia held a new press conference.I watched it on my phone while Alexander made coffee. Her face filled the screen, tears streaming dramatically as she spoke to the cameras.“Alexander knew,” she said, voice shaking. “He knew I ran away and he still went through with the wedding because he needed the merger. He used my sister as a pawn. This whole marriage is a business transaction. Emma is just the latest victim.”Reporters shouted questions. The live chat exploded with comments.Alexander walked over and took the phone from my hand. He watched for ten seconds, then turned it off.“Enough,” he said. “She’s not doing this again.”He called Marcus immediately. “Find out where she is. Now.”Thirty minutes later we were in the car. Alexander’s jaw was set hard. His hand gripped mine the whole ride.We pulled up to a small studio downtown where Sophia was doing follow-up interviews. Security tried to stop us but Alexander pushed past them like they weren’t even there.

“Pack your bags,” Alexander said the morning after the renewal ceremony, kissing my shoulder as I stood at the kitchen counter. “We’re leaving in three hours.”I turned in his arms. “Leaving for where?”He smiled, the kind that still made my knees weak. “Santorini. Just us. No phones. No board meetings. No Kane. Ten days of you and me and the ocean.”I laughed softly. “You’re serious?”“Dead serious.” He kissed me slow and deep. “We deserve this, Emma. A real honeymoon. Not the one we barely survived the first time.”Four hours later we were on his private jet. I fell asleep against his chest somewhere over the Atlantic. When I woke up, we were landing on the island. The warm Greek air hit me as soon as we stepped off the plane. A driver took us to a private villa perched on the cliffs, white walls glowing under the sunset, infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea.Alexander carried me over the threshold like we were newlyweds all over again.“Welcome to our real honeymoon, Mrs. Voss,

Alexander went completely still.I grabbed his hand tighter. “We’ll face it. Together.”He looked at me, eyes burning with determination and love. But there was something else there too. A decision forming.Marcus kept talking. “Draven gave us twenty-four hours. Step down, annul the marriage, or he releases everything. Your mother’s scandal. The full story on Emma’s father. He’ll make sure the board votes him in as the new leader.”Alexander stayed quiet for a long moment. Then he turned to me, completely ignoring Marcus.“I’m done,” he said.My heart skipped. “What?”He cupped my face with both hands. “I’m stepping down. I’ll sign whatever they want. I’ll let them have the company.”Marcus’s mouth fell open. “Alexander, you can’t—”“I can,” Alexander cut him off, eyes locked on mine. “And I will. Nothing is worth losing you and our baby. Not the empire. Not my reputation. Nothing.”Tears filled my eyes. “Alexander… you built that company from nothing. It’s your life.”“You are my lif

I stood in the nursery we had just finished painting, hand resting on my slightly rounded belly.Alexander walked in behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, chin on my shoulder. “You’ve been quiet all morning. What’s on your mind?”I turned in his arms and looked up at him. “I went to the doctor alone this morning. I wanted to be sure before I told you again.”His eyes searched mine. “And?”I took his hand and pressed it firmly against my stomach. “The baby is strong. Heartbeat is perfect. They said everything looks exactly as it should.”Alexander’s breath caught. He dropped to his knees right there on the nursery floor and pressed his forehead against my belly.“Hey little one,” he whispered, voice thick. “It’s your dad. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Your mom and I fought like hell to get to this moment, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you’re safe and loved.”Tears slipped down my cheeks as I ran my fingers through his hair. “You’re already a good

I stood on the same rooftop where we renewed our vows, the city sparkling below us like a sea of stars. One year. It felt like both yesterday and a lifetime ago.Lily giggled in my arms, reaching for the fairy lights strung across the terrace. She was one year old now — walking, talking, and already as stubborn as her father.“Happy anniversary, my love,” Alexander said behind me.I turned and my breath caught. He looked devastating in a simple white shirt and dark pants, holding a single white rose. Our daughter’s eyes lit up when she saw him.“Dada!”He took her from me gently and kissed her forehead before pulling me close with his free arm. “You look beautiful.”I smiled up at him. “You always say that.”“Because it’s always true.”We had dinner under the stars — just the three of us. No guests this time. No cameras. No drama. Just our little family.After Lily fell asleep in her portable crib, Alexander took my hand and led me to the edge of the rooftop. The same spot where we ha