Chapter 24
[let mit a soft sigh and lowered the heat on the move to pay full attention to Alana. It was clear that something had been on her mind for a while and every conversation we had seemed to reveal a lingering conflict within her. She remaleedcautions armundinn, which was understandable. After all, we hadn’t seen each other in years, and Thad taken the place of someone else
what’s on your
( in your mind this time?” I asked, resting my hands on my hips as I focused on her. I hoped it wasn’t another inquiry about my job. I had been deliberately vague about it, oked with her parents, but it seemed Mana heisell had a stronger need to know more.
“This time, it’s abren us,” Alana said, be caching a much more complex topic than I had anticipated for me, it wasn’t complex at all. I knew precisely what I wanted, but it was evidently
rated its hea. Alama had alwissen me as her enemy, her rival, andeven alten met manlage, her skepticism remained
case you being so kind to me, Alec
you mean? You’re my wife
she asked bluntly, causing me to suppress a chuckle. So, it was my kindness that appeared to be an issue for her?
mind to evade with a simple answer, yet I should have known better. She had always viewed me as her adversary, and it seemed that even after our „he suspicións hadn’t lessened.
There has to be an alberi metive Alananarrowed her eyes at me and stopped closer, growing more invested in the conversation. “You haven’t seen me in years. You clearly don’t need mic wealth, and midging be the ring you just bought me, it seems you’re doing exceptionally well in business perhaps you don’t even need my old money family status,” she continued, ularing emphatically, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself. One day, we might look back on this and laugh about it. “So, what’s the real reason you’re being kind to me. Ale?” TT m not sure what you want me to say. Mana, feare about | you,” I sighed, returning my attention to the pasta sauce as it continued to thicken
THow is that even possible? Alana sounded genuinely perplexed as she came closer to me, signaling that the conversation was far from over. “For most of our lives, I bullied you, made fun of you, and treated you terribly,” she admitted, and we were finally getting to the part she had been hesitant to address at first. I turned around to face her, giving her my full attention. Now you waltz into my life and become my light in shining armor? Something doesn’t add up, and you know it,” she huffed.
“Alana, there’s no ulterior motive. I truly care about you,” 1 admitted, my honesty shining through. “Yes, you bullied me throughout high school and part of my college years, but I saw it as mothing more than motivation, continued, watching as her brown furrowed. “I wanted to be good enough for you. You challenged me, and 1 hoped that I’m finally good enough for you confessed. My entue bonnes had been built on the drive for access, both for my personal satisfaction and to finally prove that I was worthy of her attention. I had interpreted her bullying as tough love, something that badultimately spurred on to achieve my goals.
mongondow I’m just being myself with you,” I told her, hoping she would become accustomed to this treatment. I wanted our marriage to be fed with moments like these, bum | achin knew in would require effort from both of us. “A marriage might be a big step, but I’m willing to put in the effort to make this work Hopefully, you can meet me halfway.” Alse,” the whispered, her eyes filled with guilt
You never apologized for the bullying, and I don’t expect you to
to,” I reassured her. I had spent years without an apology, using her treatment as
sorry for how I treated you.” Alana surprised me with her words.
motivation for my su
sucress. An apology
Iflowned, wanting to say more, bur
alked away before I could respond “Lanı—“
“I’ll go take that shower now,” she said. “I’ll see you in the garden then?”
“aarden in la,” 1 per unned. This was a positive step. She wouldn’t have agreed if she wasn’t open to the idea
Fosntinued cooking with enthusiasm, putting some garlic bread into the own and setting up the garden as promised I placed the wine on the table, opting for the one I had noticed she always predeared with dinner leven added some small candestocreate a romantic atmosphere, though they remained unle as I went to my bedroom to get ready
When returned, dissed in kaki pants and a sky blue polo shirt, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Alana was wearing a baby blue sundress. The dress was quite short and held up by Tasy strings on her shoulders. She had her hair up, revealing her bare shoulders, collarbone, and neck Her lips were a glossy, natural pink, different from the vibrant red I was used to
+rana… You look stunning.” I complimented, taking in the sight before me. It was beyond me how some could ever cheat on her, and I meant this in a way that can deeper than just her physical appearance. Despite her hot and cold leluvior, I was grateful for the chance to get to know the real her better.
*↑ krave” Alana smirked, Bereyes roaming over my body as it she, too, were enjoying the view. “Uh, we should take a photo ”
“Sounds good “I followed her lead. She positioned us in front of the reflective backdoor, which provided a subtle view of the fairy lights and dinner setup in the background. It wasn’t the cennia of attention, but anyone looking closely would notice it Alana handed me the camera, andber arm moved around us, the other testing on my chest for the photo. She looked at me sallying dur–like eyes. It might alle an act, but it made me happier than I had been in a long time. When Alama wasn’t looking, I sent myself the inage as a keepsake
