Selena was speechless for a few moments, unable to find the words to reply or even an appropriate way to react. The words from Sarah were hanging in the mind like a heavy fog, refusing to dissipate.At first, Selena's mind went completely blank. She could picture it, the way her cousin had described: Alex laughing with another woman, spending late nights talking to her, rushing to her side whenever she called. Just the thought of it made something sharp twist inside her chest, like she had been stabbed with a knife. Is that how Alex has been feeling…?But she quickly pushed away that question. No, that was different. She wasn't going to let this reverse psychology get to her.So, on the outside, she still tried to act dismissive. She refused to admit that the thought bothered her at all. "He can talk to as many women as he wants. I'm not insecure like him. I won't doubt every woman in the world just because he's friendly with someone. I'm confident in our marriage. Or at least I w

Seeing Selena make such a statement, with her eyes shining with tears and her voice full of sincere pleading, Alex decided to give her one more chance. His heart, which had grown so cold over the past days, felt a small crack in its icy walls. He remembered all the good times they had shared over three years — the laughter, the quiet evenings, the way she once made him believe in a normal life. Maybe she truly wanted to change. Maybe this birthday could be the start of something better.Besides, today was not only their birthday, but also the anniversary of his mother's death. The realization brought a deep wave of sadness over Alex. He thought about his mother’s gentle face, feeling the heaviness that always accompanied his birthday. A day for remembering the past and perhaps hoping for a future where he might be happy. And if happiness was what he was hoping for, then why not give her a chance? After a few silent minutes, where Selena was feeling her heart racing at the speed of l

Alex's heart wasn't ready to settle with this explanation at all. Over the weeks and months that passed, he protested and caused trouble countless times, thinking that this time, hell get an answer. But it was all useless. No matter how many tantrums he threw at home, refuse to eat, skip school, and even break things in his room, nothing changed. He shouted at servants and locked himself away for hours, demanding answers that never came. One evening, after another sleepless night haunted by nightmares of blood and gunshots, he confronted his father in the grand study once again. “Father, why won’t you tell me anything?” Alex yelled, his voice cracking with pain. “I saw those men! They weren’t normal shooters. Tell me who really killed Mom! I deserve to know!” His father sat behind the large wooden desk, looking older and wearier than before. He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. “Alex, my son… it’s complicated. You are still too young to understand these things. Let it go. Your m

Alex frowned, sensing that something was off. He stared at the neatly arranged bouquet already resting against the gravestone. The flowers were fresh, carefully chosen, and placed with obvious care. Only he and his trusted subordinates knew about his mother’s grave. Could one of them have come here? The thought crossed his mind slowly. Voss or another loyal subordinate might have visited to show respect on this day. Thinking this, the suspicion in his heart faded. It was possible. His people were careful and discreet. They would never leave traces that could lead outsiders here. He gently brushed his fingers across his mother’s gravestone and softly said, “I’m sorry.” The words felt heavy in the quiet air of the cemetery. Alex remained kneeling, his hand resting on the cold stone. “I planned to bring her today,” he whispered. “I wanted her to meet you. I wanted to tell you that I found someone. That I was finally happy. But I broke that promise.” He had originally planned to brin

Tick! Tick! Tick! Serena was tapping her push-nib pen on the desk, popping the tip of the pen in and out with every alternate click.She had indeed come to work today, but her heart wasn't in it at all. As for her mind, it was busy turning and turning the promise she had made to Alex that morning, flipping the words like she was trying to find a loophole. ​She’d promised him she’d draw boundaries, and turning Dennis down on those reports was a start. A small, miserable start that had made her feel sick to her stomach. But one refusal wasn't going to fix anything if Dennis kept coming into her office every hour, bringing her coffee and checking on her with those worried eyes. She needed a real solution. Something permanent enough to satisfy Alex, but gentle enough that it wouldn't look like she was cutting Dennis off entirely.​An idea began to form. She turned her chair toward him.​"Dennis. Do you have a second?"​Dennis looked up from his stack of files, surprised that she had ini