Chapter 47
Upom my trinom a business hip to New York, I was eagerly looking forward to reuniting with my wife. However, her tone during our recent phone co could’t sell whether it was just a rough day or if there was something more troubling ring on.
tion had been unusual, and I
alde’t wait to get home, handover the rockies she had requested, and, if she was unwell, prepare the best chicken soup to nurse her back to health. I assumed she’d still be at work siner in was a typical weekday morning. As I opened the garage door and parked my car, I noticed her vehicle nearly parked there. With a furrowed brow, I left my luggage by the door and took only
bos of coolden with me aut ventured into the house
tadiumvered Alana in the ting om, het blonde curls gathered in a knot atop her head. She was clad in pajama shorts, a tucked–in shirt, and a blazer, likely remnants from the work meetings the ‘dattended Alana spotted me and managed to force a smile as she closed her laptop and set it aside,
“You’re home.” I greeted her, my brown furtowing with com
“I should be saying the same to you,” Alana replied, a fait smile still on her lips. She shifted as I approached, leaving me puzzled
“Is everything okay? Are you feeling unwell?*1 inqawed, serting the box of cooldes aside. I reached out to touch her neck and forehead, trying to determine if she had a fever or other signs of
“Why do you ask?” Alana inquired pulling away slightly, which was puzzling since she appeared not to have a fever. What could be bothering her?
“You never skip work How are you feeling?” asked taking a seat beside her and placing her feet on my lap.
“I’m not sack, Alec, don’t worry.” Alana assured me, shaking her head and reaching for the box of cookies I had brought her. “Something just happened and I haven’t handled it yet,” she admitted. She opened the box but seemed to stare at the cookies without eating one. This was when I realized that something significant must have happened.
“something” What’s “something? What’s troubling you so much, and what catred here? Lasked, aware that my tone was growing increasingly demanding However, I needed to understand what was bothering he
Hei collas shifted, and I need bruising around her neck Alana instinctively covered the bruises with her hand and muttered an expletive. My gaze wasted on her injuries, and my mnoem deepened.
Alana, did something happen at work?” asked in a more serious tone, narrowing my eyes at her..
Alec.” Alana whispered and hesitated as it still debating whether to share her ordeal.
“Lasked a simple question, I pressed further. My gaze then shifted to her wrist, where her bracelet was missing “And where’s your bracelet?” I questioned, knowing she wouldn’t exactly remove it. She loved it dearly and promised to allways wear it
“It supped.” Alana replied with a pout, appearing genuinely up
“I’m socty; [1 Lake it to the jewelry store Wait, how exactly did it snap? I began, offering to fix the bracelet but realizing that high–quality jewelry wouldn’t just break. My gaze returned to the bruises on her throat, and any concern deepened. “And why are there marks on your throat, Alana? What exactly happened at work?” I gently took her hands in mine, preventing her from pulling away, and pazed at her with earnest eyes
I be,” Alana implored, but I couldn’t let this gone had to get to the bottom of it.
me, on the next phone call 1 make will be to your father, threatened my lane resolute. I meant every word
“Tron, Daniel showed up two nights ago. He broke into the office while I was still there and was just being a petty ex,” Alans replied, her voice soft, and she avoided my gaze. Fury welled up within me, but not toward her.
I couldn’t be angry with her I could never be. Myrag was entirely directed at that asshole
“Dod he put his hands on you? Did he tyto choke you
asked, my voice laced with concern, asenderly tubbed the back of her hands,
and the fight made the bracelet snaps, I handled it, though. Don’t worry,” she assured me. She moved closes, unto her knees, and gently cupped my face in her hands. fitas te teelt fired, at least? I inquired, but that was far from enough. I was ready to take matters into my own hands. I didn’t want it to come to this, but I wasn’t going to
to stand by m
mich
*Not exactly. I threatened him to touch me again, ec, please don’t overra, Alana implored My jaw dropped. That man still had a job? He would remain on her ser? “What exactly did he say to you? I asked, sending to understand the extent of his audacity, though I was struggling to control my anger.
all a bday, sumanhing about you not being enough for me and just spoiling. He believes we should be together again, but his primary concern is his career. Please, don’t think too
was prepared to odlicerate lis career, latt kept Alana’s feelings.
ovie’s importance in mind. Tell me why that man is still on your set?
“Ader, me produced the movie with hate on the posters and was support las tour de lundi,” Alana explained, a list of row in her eyes. This mundo meant the world to
we fire him now, we’d have to replace ble, and it would be a ton of work and risks, given that he has many fans who would
“You did Tihak to tell ine any of this yesterday?” i urodded, feeling a bit hurt that she hadn’t confided in me sounei, “Tei meie long with your meetings and all.” Alata replied, lur eyes filled with guilt
None of that matters to me, not like you, Alana. Next time something like this happens, I want to be your first call after y my lips true inghet deeply and mapped by au
İpeketantly cut sa
Q1 told her, caressing her cheek and lowering her forehead to
ardine, needing a plument of beansui ane.
will eine their wall be a second line
sle pleated Trouda Tightse lui plea.
at Worry filled for gaze. “Aler, de’t do anything reckless, please. This mode is important to me, and I don’t want to advance my career through my father’s connections,
“stay pas; Fll always inspiri yatir
fed joost way of dealing with ass
Lassed headed to handle this situation my way
way while preserving her carver and the
