Chapter 16
Elizabeth paused, surprised he actually checked the surveillance footage. But for her, it didn't matter anymore. She slapped on a band-aid. "All done."
Alexander frowned, not liking her indifferent vibe. "Elizabeth, I said I watched the surveillance," he repeated.
Elizabeth looked up and smiled. "Yeah, I heard you."
Alexander frowned harder. Just "I heard you"? No apology or anything?
Seeing his confusion, Elizabeth stood up, put the medical kit away, and said calmly, "I used to love you and cared about what you thought. But now..." She turned around, "I don't care."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Alexander's face, a half-smile tugging at his lips. "You don't love me anymore?"
"Mr. Tudor, you're sharp," Elizabeth said, leaning casually against the cabinet, her smile enchanting. Loving Alexander had left her heart in pieces; what more did he want?
Alexander walked toward her, step by step. Elizabeth stayed cool, watching him get closer.
When he reached her, he placed his arms on the cabinet, a handsome smile forming. "You sure fall out of love quickly."
Elizabeth smirked, her voice dripping with charm, "Mr. Tudor, you must be joking. I loved you for seven years before I moved on. Is that really quick?"
Alexander narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on her red lips. He couldn't help but ask, "Do you regret loving me?"
Elizabeth locked eyes with him and said, "Yes."
She wished she could cut all ties with Alexander for good.
Alexander's pupils shrank, and he felt a strange tug at his heart.
"Let's get a divorce tomorrow morning," Elizabeth said flatly.
Alexander's face darkened. The mention of divorce made him anxious and irritable. When he saw Elizabeth about to leave, he instinctively grabbed her wrist.
Elizabeth turned to him, her tone growing colder. "Mr. Tudor, got something else to say?"
Hearing "Mr. Tudor" made Alexander snap. He yanked her into his arms, pinned her against the wall, and kissed her hard.
Elizabeth's body shook. She shoved him away and demanded, "Alexander, how are you any different from Brady?!"
He stared at her, eyes deep and slightly red at the corners. "There's a huge difference. What Brady did was attempted rape. We're married; being intimate is natural!"
He kissed her again. Elizabeth clamped her lips shut, trying to dodge him. He grabbed her waist, pulled her close, and bit her lower lip, kissing her like a madman.
Footsteps echoed outside the lounge. Elizabeth frowned and tapped the door. Alexander quickly shut and locked it. He raised her hands, pinning her wrists against the door with one hand.
Elizabeth felt nothing but shame. He hadn't wanted her before, and now, with divorce looming, he was forcing himself on her. Did she deserve no respect? Did he need to see her broken to feel satisfied?
Tears welled up as she thought about it. Just as Alexander was about to go further, he felt her bitter tears on his lips. He paused, looking up to see her crying.
Seeing her swollen lips, he realized how rough he'd been.
Elizabeth wiped her tears, eyes full of hatred. "Does Esme know what you're doing?"
"Do you care about Esme's thoughts?" Alexander's voice was rough.
"I just pity her," Elizabeth laughed bitterly. "She's waiting for you to marry her, while you're here with your ex-wife."
Alexander's eyes went dark, and he let go of Elizabeth. Her words hit him hard. Wasn't she the one he was supposed to care about?
"Alexander, if you don't love me, let me go. Stop with the mixed signals. It's gross."
With that, Elizabeth walked out, leaving Alexander standing there, stunned. Her word "gross" echoed in his mind. He never thought the words he once threw at her would come back to bite him. Now, he was the gross one.
As soon as Elizabeth stepped out, she bumped into Kieran, who was looking for Alexander. Her eyes were red, and Kieran asked carefully, "Elizabeth, you okay?"
Elizabeth shook her head. Kieran then asked, "Seen Alexander?"
She pointed toward the lounge and headed to the restroom. Kieran went to the lounge door and peeked inside. Alexander was sitting alone, head down, lost in thought.
"What are you doing?" Kieran asked.
Alexander frowned. "Got a cigarette?"
Kieran was surprised. He pulled one out of his pocket and handed it over. "Well, now that you and Elizabeth are divorced, no one's stopping you from smoking."
Alexander paused. Kieran noticed his messy collar and thought of Elizabeth's red lips.
Then he asked, "Alexander, be real. Do you regret the divorce now?"
Alexander couldn't stop coughing. Kieran crossed his arms, smirking. "Man, you're such a mess. When she loved you, you didn't care. Now that she's moved on, you can't let go."
Alexander shot him a glare, crushed his cigarette in the ashtray, and snapped, "Shut up!"
"You're a real piece of work, Alexander," Kieran shot back.
Alexander chuckled darkly. "Look who's talking."
Kieran just laughed. "You idiot, you gotta choose between Esme and Elizabeth. Time to decide."
"Esme," Alexander said without hesitation.
Kieran's smile vanished, and he got serious. "Do you really feel nothing for Elizabeth?"
Back in high school, he might've had a thing for Elizabeth. Why else would he quit smoking just because she hated the smell?
Alexander walked off, taking long strides. Kieran watched him go, sighing. They could only blame that kidnapping for screwing up all their lives.
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