Chapter 11: Unsettling Truths

Isabella's POV

My mind raced with a thousand questions, each one more urgent than the last. What could his family have done? What role had he played? And how would it affect our future together?

Before I could gather my thoughts, Alexander began to speak, his voice raw with emotion. "My family... they're not what they seem," he confessed, his words slow and measured. "There are things they've done, things I never wanted to be a part of. But I couldn't escape it, Isabella. No matter how hard I tried."

His words sent a chill down my spine, filling me with a sense of dread. I reached out, grasping his hand tightly in mine, seeking reassurance in the warmth of his touch.

"What things, Alexander?" I whispered, my voice barely audible above the hum of the machines. "What are you trying to tell me?"

He closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his features. "I can't... I can't tell you everything," he admitted, his voice trembling with emotion. "But you need to know that my family... they're dangerous. And now that they know about you, they'll stop at nothing to get to me."

Fear tightened its grip on my heart as his words sank in. I had always sensed a darkness lurking beneath the surface of Alexander's family, but I had never imagined it could be this serious.

"What are we going to do?" I asked, my voice filled with desperation. "How can we protect ourselves from them?"

Alexander's eyes met mine, his gaze filled with determination. "We'll figure it out together," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within him. "But for now, we need to focus on getting you out of here safely. I won't let anything happen to you, Isabella. I promise."

"But Alexander," I pressed, my voice trembling with urgency, "I need to understand. What exactly have your parents done? How are they involved in all of this?"

He took a deep breath, his grip on my hand tightening as if drawing strength from our connection. "My father," he began, his voice low and somber, "isn't just a businessman. He runs an underground network—organized crime. It started small, with illegal deals and smuggling, but over the years, it grew into something much more dangerous. Drugs, arms trafficking, money laundering... he controls it all."

The revelation hit me like a physical blow, leaving me momentarily breathless. "And your mother?" I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"She's just as involved," he continued, his eyes reflecting the pain of his words. "She manages the finances, ensures that everything looks legitimate on the surface. They have connections everywhere, people who owe them favors, who turn a blind eye to their activities."

I swallowed hard, trying to process the enormity of what he was telling me. "But how did they get away with it for so long? Why hasn't anyone stopped them?"

Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair. "My parents are incredibly careful. They've built a network of loyalists, people who benefit from their operations and have no reason to betray them. They also keep their true activities hidden behind legitimate businesses. On the surface, they appear to be upstanding citizens, philanthropists even. No one outside their inner circle suspects a thing."

I shook my head in disbelief. "But you... you've been part of this too? All this time?"

"I never wanted to be," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I was groomed for it from a young age. My father had me involved in the business under the guise of 'family duties.' By the time I realized the full extent of what was happening, I was already too deep. And then I met you... and everything changed."

I felt a surge of anger and frustration. "So all this time, while you were pretending to be my loving husband, you were hiding this from me? You let me believe we had a normal life when in reality, we were living in a house of lies?"

Alexander's expression crumpled with guilt. "I wanted to protect you, Isabella. I thought if you didn't know, you wouldn't be in danger. But I see now that was a mistake. I'm sorry."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "What's the plan, then? How do we get out of this?"

"We need to leave, get far away from here," he said, determination hardening his features. "I have some contacts who can help us disappear, start fresh somewhere else. But we need to be careful. My family has eyes everywhere."

I looked at him, the gravity of the situation sinking in even deeper. "How did they get so powerful? How did they manage to build such an empire?"

Alexander sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It started with my grandfather. He was the one who laid the foundation, making deals with shady characters and accumulating wealth through any means necessary. My father took it further, expanding their reach and solidifying their power. My mother joined him, bringing her own cunning and ruthless efficiency to the operation."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. "And they expect you to continue this legacy?"

He nodded. "They do. They want me to step into my father's shoes, to take over and lead the empire. But I can't. I won't. I want out, Isabella. I want a life free from this darkness, with you."

"Then we have to fight," I said, my voice filled with determination. "We have to find a way to break free from their grasp. And we need to expose them, bring their crimes to light."

Alexander looked at me, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes. "It's dangerous, Isabella. They won't hesitate to destroy anyone who threatens them. But if we can gather enough evidence, if we can build a case with David's help, maybe we can bring them down."

"We have to try," I replied firmly. "For us, for our future."

He nodded, pulling me into a tight embrace. "We'll do it together."

Alexander and I decided to begin our search at the scene of the accident. After a tense car ride in silence, we arrived at the location where Alexander had been found unconscious on the road. It was a desolate stretch of highway, eerily quiet and surrounded by dense trees.

We parked the car and stepped out, the crunch of gravel under our feet the only sound breaking the stillness. The sun had just begun to set, casting long shadows and painting the sky with hues of orange and purple.

"We need to find any clues that might tell us what happened," Alexander said, his voice low and serious. "Look for anything unusual—tire tracks, broken glass, anything that seems out of place."

I nodded, scanning the area with a mix of apprehension and determination. We walked along the side of the road, carefully examining every detail. After a few minutes, I spotted something glinting in the fading light.

"Alexander, over here," I called, pointing to a shard of glass embedded in the dirt.

He hurried over, kneeling down to inspect it. "This looks like a piece of a headlight," he muttered, carefully picking it up and examining it closer. "It could be from the vehicle that hit me."

"Do you think it was intentional?" I asked, a chill running down my spine at the thought.

"It's possible," he replied, his jaw tightening. "Given who my family is, I wouldn't be surprised if someone was trying to send a message."

We continued searching the area, finding more pieces of shattered glass and traces of tire marks that seemed to veer off the road abruptly. It painted a picture of a high-speed impact, deliberate or otherwise.

As we were piecing together the evidence, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I glanced around nervously.

"Do you think someone might be following us?" I whispered to Alexander.

He straightened up, his eyes scanning the tree line. "It's possible. Stay close to me."

We made our way back to the car, the evidence we had collected carefully tucked away. Just as we were about to get in, a black SUV sped past us, tires screeching. Alexander's expression darkened.

"That could be them," he said, urgency in his voice. "We need to get out of here, now."

"Where do we go now?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly with unease.

Alexander's jaw was set, his eyes focused on the road ahead. "We need to find a safe place to regroup and figure out our next steps. Somewhere away from prying eyes."

We drove for what felt like hours, the tension in the car thick enough to suffocate. Finally, we arrived at a secluded cabin nestled deep in the woods, a place Alexander had mentioned before as a potential safe haven.

We got out of the car, the silence of the forest wrapping around us like a heavy blanket. The cabin stood before us, its weathered exterior a stark contrast to the dense foliage surrounding it.

"We should search the area," Alexander suggested, his voice low but determined. "See if there are any signs of recent activity or anyone watching us."

Nodding in agreement, I followed him as we cautiously made our way around the cabin, scanning the surroundings for any indication of danger. 

As we circled back to the front of the cabin, Alexander stopped suddenly, his gaze fixed on something in the distance. I followed his line of sight and saw a set of tire tracks leading away from the cabin, disappearing into the trees.

"Someone's been here recently," Alexander muttered, his expression darkening. "We need to be careful."

With a sense of foreboding hanging over us, we entered the cabin, the door creaking ominously as we stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, dust motes dancing in the faint light filtering through the windows.

"We should lock the door," I suggested, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander nodded, his hand hovering over the door handle. With a firm click, he secured the door, the sound echoing in the quiet cabin. We exchanged a tense glance, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon us.

"Now what?" I asked, my voice barely audible in the stillness of the cabin.

"Now," Alexander replied, his gaze steely, "we gather whatever information we can and figure out who's behind all of this. We won't rest until we have answers."

In one corner, we found a stack of old newspapers, their yellowed pages filled with headlines of past events. Alexander sifted through them methodically, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"These might contain some clues," he murmured, handing me a stack of papers. "See if you can find anything relevant."

I nodded, scanning the articles for any mention of recent incidents or connections to Alexander's family. But as I sifted through the faded print, nothing jumped out at me, leaving me frustrated and no closer to answers.

Meanwhile, Alexander focused his attention on a desk cluttered with papers and documents. He rifled through them, his movements quick and purposeful, searching for any sign of foul play.

Suddenly, he froze, his hand hovering over a folder tucked away in a drawer. With a sense of trepidation, he pulled it out, his eyes narrowing as he examined its contents.

"What is it?" I asked.

Alexander's jaw clenched as he scanned the documents, his expression darkening with each passing moment. "It's a dossier," he replied, his tone grim. "On my family."

My heart hammered in my chest as I joined him at the desk, peering over his shoulder at the documents spread out before us. The folder contained detailed information about Alexander's family history, including their business dealings and associations.

But what caught our attention was a section detailing recent activities, including suspicious transactions and meetings with known criminals. It was clear that someone was trying to dig up dirt on Alexander's family, but for what purpose, we couldn't yet discern.

With a shared sense of urgency, we gathered up the documents and hastily packed them away. Time was of the essence, and we knew we needed to act fast if we were to uncover the truth before it was too late.

Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I turned to Alexander, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "Alexander, who do you think could be behind this? Who would want to hurt you?"

I could see the turmoil in his eyes as he wrestled with his own thoughts. "I don't know, Isabella," he admitted, his voice strained. "But whoever they are, they're playing a dangerous game. And I won't rest until I find out the truth."

I nodded, my heart heavy with worry. "We'll figure this out together," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "We won't let them get away with this."

Silently, we made our way back to the mansion, the morning air tinged with anticipation and uncertainty. As we entered the grand foyer, Alexander turned to me, his expression grave.

"Isabella, we need to gather whatever evidence we can find," he said, his voice firm. "We need to piece together what happened last night, no matter the cost."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation.

Alexander began to methodically search the room, his keen eyes scanning every inch for any sign of foul play. I followed suit, my hands trembling as I sifted through the stacks of papers and files that littered the desk.

Minutes stretched into hours as we painstakingly pieced together the events of the previous night. Every scrap of evidence, every clue brought us one step closer to the truth. And as the sun reached its zenith, we finally uncovered something that sent a chill down my spine.

"Isabella, look at this," Alexander said. I hurried to his side, my eyes widening in shock as I saw what lay before us.

It was a photograph, torn and crumpled, but unmistakably of Alexander's parents. But what caught my eye was the figure lurking in the shadows behind them, a dark silhouette that seemed to blend seamlessly into the night.

"Who is that?" I asked, my voice barely audible. Alexander's expression darkened.

"That's David," he said, his voice filled with bitterness. "My brother."

I gasped, the pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place. David, the long-lost brother Alexander had never spoken of, the one who had disappeared without a trace all those years ago. But what connection did he have to Alexander's accident? And why had he resurfaced now, after all this time?

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I turned to Alexander, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "What does this mean, Alexander? Why would your brother want to hurt you?"

Alexander's jaw tightened, his expression clouded with anger and frustration. "I don't know," he replied, his voice strained. "But David... he's always been trouble. Ever since we were children, he was the black sheep of the family. Always causing trouble, always stirring up trouble."

I frowned, trying to piece together the puzzle. "But why now? Why would he resurface after all these years?"

Alexander shook his head, his frustration evident. "I don't know, Isabella. I wish I had the answers, but David has always been unpredictable. He could be driven by jealousy, by resentment... who knows?"

I bit my lip, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in my chest. "What are we going to do, Alexander? We can't just ignore this. We need to find out the truth, no matter what."

Alexander's gaze hardened, his determination shining through. "You're right," he said, his voice resolute. "We need to confront David, find out what he knows. And if he's behind this... he needs to be stopped."

"There has to be something we're missing," I murmured. "There has to be a clue, something that will lead us to David."

Alexander nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "We need to think like him," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "What would David do? Where would he go?"

I racked my brain, trying to piece together what little I knew about Alexander's elusive brother. "He always seemed to have a taste for the dramatic," I said slowly, the pieces beginning to fall into place. "He liked to make a statement, to leave his mark."

Alexander's eyes lit up with understanding. "You're right," he said, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "He wouldn't just disappear into the night. He would want us to know that he's behind this."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we stumbled upon a clue that would change everything. Hidden away in one of the evidences, we found a scrap of paper, a hastily scrawled note.

"It's a message from David," Alexander said, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's taunting us, mocking us. But it also gives us a clue—a location."

I studied the note, my heart pounding in my chest. "It's an address," I said, realization dawning. "He wants us to find him."

The journey to the address was fraught with silence, broken only by the occasional sound of our footsteps echoing in the empty streets. The darkness seemed to press in around us, enveloping us in its cold embrace as we made our way through the night.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we arrived at our destination—a derelict warehouse on the outskirts of town. The building loomed before us, a silent sentinel in the darkness, its windows boarded up and its doors sealed shut.

"This is it," Alexander said, his voice low and urgent. "This is where David wants us to go."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as we approached the entrance. With a sense of trepidation, we pushed open the door and stepped inside, the darkness swallowing us whole.

The interior of the warehouse was dimly lit, illuminated only by the faint glow of the moon filtering in through the cracks in the walls. The air was thick with dust and decay, and the sound of our footsteps echoed eerily in the empty space.

"Be careful," Alexander whispered, his hand reaching out to grasp mine in the darkness. "We don't know what we'll find in here."

Suddenly, a noise echoed through the darkness—a low, guttural sound that seemed to emanate from the shadows themselves. My heart leaped into my throat as I turned to face the source of the sound, my eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement.

"Who's there?" Alexander called out, his voice echoing off the walls. "Show yourself!"

But there was no response, only silence as we stood there, waiting for something—anything—to happen. And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the noise stopped, leaving us in an eerie silence.

"What was that?" I whispered.

"I don't know," Alexander replied, his eyes darting nervously around the room. "But we need to keep moving. We can't let fear paralyze us."

We pressed on, our footsteps echoing in the darkness as we searched for any sign of David. But the warehouse seemed to stretch on endlessly, its corridors twisting and turning in a labyrinthine maze.

Hours passed as we explored every inch of the building, our frustration growing with each passing moment. It seemed that David was always one step ahead of us, leading us on a wild goose chase through the darkness.

But just as we were about to give up hope, we stumbled upon a door hidden away in a forgotten corner of the warehouse. We pushed open the door and stepped inside, our hearts pounding in our chests as we prepared to face whatever lay beyond.

As we pushed open the door, a dim light flickered to life, illuminating the small room within. It was sparsely furnished, with only a few chairs scattered around and a single desk against the far wall. Sitting behind the desk was a man, his features obscured by the shadows.

"David?" Alexander called out, his voice echoing in the silence.

David rose from his seat, his gaze fixed on us with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. "Ah, Alexander. I've been expecting you. "I believe you have something that belongs to me," he said, his voice low and menacing.

The air crackled with tension as Alexander faced his brother, David. A coldness emanated from David, his smile sending shivers down my spine.

"Don't even think about it," Alexander growled, a low warning rumbling in his chest.

David chuckled, a dark sound devoid of humor. "Playing the protective husband, are we?" he mocked, his eyes flickering to me with an unsettling glint.

Heat flared in my cheeks, but Alexander remained focused on his brother. "What do you want, David?" he demanded, his voice taut with barely contained fury.

David's smile widened, stretching into a chilling smirk. "Isn't it obvious, brother?" he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just a friendly visit, catching up on lost time."

My brow furrowed in confusion. What was David's game? Alexander wasn't buying it. "Cut the act, David," he snapped, his patience wearing thin. "We both know why you're here."

David's amusement seemed to flicker for a moment, but his eyes remained cold. "Do we?" he challenged, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "Enlighten me."

Frustration bubbled within me. "Enough games," I interjected, my voice firm. "Tell us what you truly desire."

David's gaze flickered between us, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. "Very well," he conceded, his voice losing its playful facade. "I've come to reclaim what rightfully belongs to me."

Alexander's jaw clenched, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "You won't get anything from me," he snarled, his voice laced with defiance.

David's laughter echoed in the room, a chilling sound devoid of joy. "Oh, brother," he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous hum, "I believe you'll find I'm far more resourceful than you think."

"What are you planning, David?" I pressed, my voice steady despite the fear that churned in my stomach.

But David merely smiled, his expression enigmatic. "Wouldn't you like to know," he teased, his words dripping with malice.

Confusion swirled in the air like smoke. David's veiled threat hung heavy, a cryptic puzzle piece that refused to fit. We teetered on the edge of a truth he dangled just out of reach.

Alexander's jaw clenched, frustration etching lines on his face. "Cut to the chase, David," he growled, barely containing his anger. "Speak plainly or get out."

David's amusement seemed to twist into something darker. His gaze darted between us, lingering on me a beat too long. "Oh, how dull that would be," he drawled, his voice laced with mockery. "Let's just say, brother, the past has a nasty habit of knocking on your door."

My heart hammered against my ribs, David's words echoing in my head. What past was he referring to? Was it some buried secret of Alexander's, or something more twisted?

"Enough riddles, David!" I burst out, exasperation boiling over. "We need answers, not cryptic games."

He chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Isn't life a game, my dear Isabella?" he countered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And in this little game," he continued, his eyes glinting with malice, "you and Alexander are merely pawns."

David's smirk deepened as he made a beeline for me. Anticipation flickered in his eyes, an unwelcome kind. Before he could get any closer, Alexander materialized between us, a physical barrier and a fierce protector.

"Don't even think about it," Alexander growled, his voice a low rumble that vibrated with barely contained anger.

David's amusement faltered for a moment, but it quickly morphed into something more unsettling. "Now, now, brother," he drawled, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Surely you can spare a moment for your favorite sibling to greet his dear sister-in-law?"

The term sent shivers down my spine. Sister-in-law. It was a label that felt strangely heavy, a constant reminder of the complex web I was now entangled in. I met Alexander's gaze, a silent plea for him to intervene.

Understanding flickered in his eyes, his jaw clenching with suppressed fury. "Isabella is not part of your game, David," he stated, his voice firm and unwavering. "Leave her out of this."

David's chuckle was devoid of humor, a chilling sound that scraped against my nerves. "But isn't she?" he countered, his eyes flashing with a dark amusement. "Family, after all, shouldn't they stick together? Through thick and thin?"

His words sent a jolt of unease through me. David's presence felt oppressive, a storm cloud threatening to unleash a torrent of trouble. Alexander's grip on my hand tightened, a silent reassurance in the face of the gathering storm.

"We're leaving," he declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. He turned, his arm guiding me firmly towards the door, a shield against the growing darkness David embodied.

But David wasn't done. His voice rang out, sharp and laced with venom, stopping us in our tracks. "Why are you so scared of me talking to Isabella alone, scared that I am going to reveal those secrets of yours that she should not know?" He paced back and forth, like a predator circling its prey. "And if she ends up knowing them, then your whole rainbow life full of sunshine will be destroyed, wouldn't it, brother?"

The room seemed to shrink, the air thick with tension. David's words hung heavy, a dark accusation aimed at Alexander. A cold dread bloomed in my stomach, a seed of doubt planted by his sinister words. Secrets? What secrets? I stole a glance at Alexander, his face a mask of strained composure, a flicker of fear betraying his façade.

"Don't listen to him, Isabella," Alexander said, his voice tight. "He's just trying to stir trouble."

"Trouble?" David scoffed. "Or maybe, just a little truth? After all, shouldn't spouses share everything? Shouldn't there be complete honesty?" He turned to me, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "Don't you deserve to know the whole story, Isabella? Don't you deserve to know what kind of man you truly married?"

My heart hammered against my ribs. The world seemed to tilt on its axis.

"What are you talking about, David?" I demanded, my voice trembling slightly.

"Oh, come now, Isabella," David taunted, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "Surely Alexander has told you everything about his past, about the choices he made, the things he did?"

"I told you everything you needed to know," Alexander interjected sharply, his voice laced with desperation.

"Did you?" David challenged, his voice rising. "Or did you just tell her a carefully curated version of events, leaving out the messy bits that might paint you in a less than favorable light?"

Fury battled with confusion within me. My gaze darted between the two brothers, my mind struggling to grasp the situation. Alexander, the man who had promised me complete transparency, who had sworn to never lie to me again, now seemed shrouded in a veil of secrecy.

"Enough, David!" Alexander roared, his voice cracking with a barely controlled emotion. He turned to me, his eyes pleading. "Isabella, please, don't listen to him. He's delusional. There are no secrets."

But the damage was done. The seed of doubt had been sown. "There are no secrets?" I echoed, my voice shaking. "Then why is your brother implying otherwise, Alexander?"

Alexander hesitated, his jaw clenched tight. The room was silent, thick with a tension so heavy it felt suffocating. David watched the exchange with a predatory glint in his eyes, a malicious smile playing on his lips.

"Because he's jealous," Alexander finally forced out, his voice strained. "He's always been jealous of the life I've built, of the happiness I've found with you."

David snorted, the sound devoid of humor. "Jealous? Hardly, brother. I simply believe in honesty. Unlike you, who seems perfectly content building your life on a foundation of lies."

"There are no lies, David!" Alexander roared, his voice laced with desperation.

"Then tell her the truth, Alexander," David challenged, his voice calm but firm. "Tell her everything. Don't you think she deserves that much?"

My gaze darted between them, a silent plea hanging in the air. I craved the truth, no matter how difficult it might be. The longer this charade continued, the deeper the chasm grew between me and Alexander.

The air crackled with unspoken accusations. Alexander's knuckles were white as he gripped my hand, his jaw clenched with barely contained emotion. David remained by the doorway, a predator watching its prey struggle.

"We're leaving," Alexander declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. He turned on his heel, his grip on my arm firm as he guided me towards the exit.

"Don't be a coward, Alexander," David called after us, his voice dripping with mocking amusement. "Face the truth, both of you."

I cast a helpless glance back at David, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. A million questions swirled in my mind, each one more urgent than the last. But the look of raw desperation in Alexander's eyes silenced them for now. There would be time for answers later, but right now, defusing the situation seemed paramount.

The walk back home was fraught with a tense silence. Alexander remained stoic, his face a mask of repressed emotions. I longed to reach out to him, to offer comfort or demand answers, but the words wouldn't come. The weight of David's accusations hung heavy in the air, an invisible barrier separating us.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we reached the doorstep of our home. Relief washed over me, a temporary reprieve from the storm brewing inside. I expected Alexander to pull me into a reassuring embrace, to offer some explanation for David's words. But he simply released my arm, his face etched with a weariness that went beyond the day's events.

"I'll... I'll make some tea," I mumbled, the mundane task offering a sliver of normalcy amidst the chaos.

Alexander nodded curtly and retreated to the living room, leaving me alone with the deafening silence of our home. As I busied myself with the kettle, a cold resolve settled within me. David's words, however cryptic, had planted a seed of doubt in my mind. I couldn't simply ignore what he'd said, not when it potentially painted a whole new picture of the man I loved.

While the tea steeped, I made a decision. Alexander was clearly reluctant to speak, unwilling to offer a full explanation. But I couldn't live in this state of limbo, my trust teetering on the edge of a precipice. I needed answers, and David seemed to hold the key to unlocking them.

Taking a deep breath, I poured a cup of tea and carried it to the living room. Alexander sat by the window, his back to me, his gaze fixed on the street outside. He didn't turn as I entered, nor did he acknowledge my presence.

"Tea," I announced softly, placing the cup on the table in front of him.

He glanced at it briefly, his expression unreadable. "Thanks," he muttered, taking a tentative sip before returning his gaze to the window.

We sat in silence, the tension between us palpable. I watched him, searching for any sign of the man I thought I knew, but he remained closed off, an enigma wrapped in shadows.

Crawling back into bed beside Alexander, the events of the day replayed in my mind like a relentless film reel. Each accusation, each unspoken question, echoed in the silence. A knot of determination tightened in my stomach. Come morning, I will meet David alone. The truth, however unsettling, had to be unearthed.