Chapter 15
“You finally came to see me,” Alexander croaked, lying on the ground, soaked in blood and rain. “Allie, let’s go home, please…”
Allison stood above him, arms crossed, her voice cutting like a blade. “Home? What home? You burned that bridge a long time ago.
“What are you talking about?” Alexander’s heart skipped a beat. He’d been so focused on getting back to her, he hadn’t even stopped by the Rockwood estate yet. “We’ll go back together. To the Rockwood estate.
…or our villa.‘
But when he saw the flicker of amusement in her eyes, panic set in.
“Oh, the villa?” Allison tilted her head mockingly. “I sold it. As for the Rockwood estate–it’s about to be repossessed. Try checking with the bank”
She paused, letting the words sink in.
“So, faking your death wasn’t dramatic enough? Now you’re going for the whole ‘back from the dead‘ storyline?”
Her voice dropped an octave. “Do you really think people are that gullible, Alexander?”
He shook his head frantically. “You know everything already? Allie, I was wrong–I’m here to admit it. After I left with Sarah, I realized the one I love has always been you,”
“I was out of my damn mind. What I did was insane, I know. But I’m back now. We can start fresh. We’ll get married again, have a kid, travel the world
The words tumbled out too fast, too desperate. Before he could finish, blood burst from his mouth.
Allison immediately stepped back, repulsed, her expression unreadable but her disgust clear.
Their eyes met—and in that instant, something inside him shattered.
This woman used to panic at the smallest cough he had. Once, when he came down with a mild fever, she stayed up the entire night nursing him.
She had loved him. Deeply. Madly.
How did that love disappear so easily?
“Allie… please, don’t do this. I’m sorry. I mean it.”
But her face stayed cold. “I told you already I don’t know you. Stop bothering me. My fiancé wouldn’t like it.”
His face twisted. “At the very least… give me back my assets
He tried to get up, stumbling toward her,
Allison stepped behind the gate, her tone merciless. “Everything you had? My ex–husband left it to me in his will. You? You’re just some guy off the street now!!
Alexander’s expression darkened
He lunged forward, grabbing onto the gate–then his vision went black
He collapsed, right there on the Vanderbilt driveway.
Thunder rolled overhead as the rain came down harder, ice–cold drops soaking his already battered body.
It took a while before he came to.
Still sprawled outside that Iron gate, completely ignored, entirely alone.
He dragged himself off the ground and stumbled toward what used to be home.
Alexander told himself that once he reclaimed his identity, once he reminded Allison who he really was, she’d forgive him. Chapter 15
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He half–crawled, half–staggered his way back to the Rockwood estate–only to pass out right at the front door before he could even
knock
When he opened his eyes again, it was to the tear–streaked face of his mother.
She looked nothing like the graceful matriarch she used to be–her features were pale, sickly, hollowed by grief.
His father stood nearby, visibly thinner, weighed down by exhaustion.
“You ungrateful bastard!” Russell roared, his voice cracking with rage. “You faked your death for what? A woman?”
He stormed over and slapped Alexander so hard the sound echoed.
“You should’ve died out there. Why the hell did you come back? The Rockwood name is ruined–everything’s gone!”
Russell broke down as he beat his son with shaking fists. “Everything! All of it!”
Through his parents‘ angry cries, Alexander learned the truth.
After his disappearance, his grandfather’s health took a nosedive. He passed away not long after.
Rockwood Holdings plummeted. Key partners cut ties. The company defaulted on several major contracts and had to pay astronomical penalties.
They were forced to sell off real estate just to keep the lights on.
And the one pulling the strings behind it all?
The Vanderbilt family.
The same woman you discarded like trash?” Russell sneered. “They treat her like a damn queen. You think this isn’t payback?”
“You absolute fool.”
Alexander stood frozen, reeling
No way, Not Allison.
He had her wrapped around his finger. She’d been so easy to control.
“She’s just mad at me,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “Once I talk to her, once I calm her down… things will go back to the way they were.”
He forced a smile, clinging to the fantasy.
“Allie just needs time. She’ll come back to me.”
