THE SUBSTITUTE HUSBAND’S RISE TO POWER.

003.

Alex froze on the spot. He no longer loved her—that illusion had shattered like brittle glass three days ago—but if Marcus had hurt Elena, basic fucking humanity demanded he move.

Old instinct as a doctor, as the man who had once loved her, he put one foot in front of the other. There was no way he could ignore that loud cry of hers.

He moved as quickly as he could, bursting into the room, breath ragged, and the scene in front of him slammed into him so hard that he blinked as if trying to convince himself that he wasn’t seeing things correctly.

Marcus sat slumped against the marble tub, half-naked, water and blood streaking his toned torso from a nasty gash along his side.

Elena crouched beside him, her fingers trembling as she dabbed antiseptic on his skin with a tenderness that clawed straight into Alex’s soul.

For the longest moment, Alex couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Elena’s eyes—the same eyes that had looked at him with nothing but indifference—were soft, glistening with raw panic and devotion.

There was a tenderness in her eyes that he had never for once seen directed at him. It was almost as though she’d thought she was going to lose Marcus, and she couldn’t bear that thought.

But he…. He had spent five years utterly devoted to her, and not once had she looked at him like she was scared to lose him.

The air thickened, heavy with the metallic tang of blood and the sweet, floral scent of her perfume. Alex’s heart hammered, each beat a thumping throb of humiliation and rage.

It was clear as day. Elena’s screaming had come from the sheer panic over someone she truly cared about. The sound of his laugh brought a halt to the moment as Elena’s head snapped up.

There was something in her eyes when she saw him, something that seemed to tell him that she thought he was a bother. “Alex—” She called, but he didn’t move or respond.

Marcus winced theatrically, but his eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction. “I’m so sorry, Alex. Please, don’t misread this. I just slipped in the tub like an idiot. She’s only helping with the medicine.” His voice was smooth, laced with that fake humility, but Alex caught the undercurrent of triumph.

Alex’s jaw tightened, the muscles jumping as he fought the urge to drag Marcus up by the throat. “Why didn’t you call me then?” Alex’s voice came out low, dangerous, and raw.

“I used to be a doctor, remember? If you needed help, I would be in the best position to help you, is this….” He paused, drawing in a sharp breath as he stared at them. “… is this appropriate?”

Silence settled in the room as Alex waited for an answer he knew he wouldn’t get in all honesty from Marcus. Elena, on the other hand, was already starting to look angry.

“Look, Alex, you—”

“It’s okay, Elena.” Marcus cut in before Elena could finish talking. His face fell as he played the repentant victim. “Alex is not at fault, this is all my fault. I’m to blame for all of this.”

Alex scoffed, not buying the act for even a second. Marcus slowly lifted his gaze to look at Alex. “I shouldn’t have let her help. I’ll stop right now, and get dressed.” He swallowed, his throat bobbing.

“And now that I know how you feel, I certainly won’t ask her to help me finish bathing.” The words hung in the steamy air, deliberate, provocative.

Alex stared, disbelief and anger coiling tight in his chest like a rope ready to snap. Finish bathing? The bastard had actually planned to have Elena’s hands sliding over his wet, naked body?

Heat flooded Alex’s face, but not from any form of jealousy, but from the soul-deep exhaustion of being the eternal outsider in his own marriage.

Elena shot to her feet, cheeks flushed, eyes blazing. “I was the one who offered to help with the bath, Alexander!” Her voice rose, sharp and defensive, echoing off the tiles.

“WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!” Her voice was getting louder and angrier. “We’re completely innocent. Can you stop being so suspicious and jealous?” She sighed as if she’s the one that was exhausted.

“Marcus is injured… Does an injured person not deserve to bathe? What’s wrong with me helping a friend?” She finished.

The words sliced into him, each one a fresh lash across raw nerves. Jealous? As if his pain was some petty emotion. Alex’s breath came short and hot, his body vibrating with the effort to contain the storm inside him.

He could feel the phantom ache of every sacrifice, every night he’d chosen her over his dreams. And here she was, defending whatever sick thing was going on between her and Marcus.

He wasn’t surprised. He was just disappointed in her.

“If you put it that way,” Alex said, his voice dropping into an indifferent calm, “then I’ll leave now. Let the two of you live your lives.” He finished with a sad smile.

Elena’s eyes widened, then narrowed in sheer, brutal. “Are you trying to make me feel guilty?” She stepped closer, voice flat and cutting. “Is that what you’re trying to do?”

“I’ve spoiled you rotten, Alexander. If you dare walk out that door today, you’ll be on your knees begging to make it up to me before I even consider forgiving you.” She said through gritted teeth.

The threat should have stung him, and maybe hurt, but instead, it felt stale. Alex felt something inside him finally break free. It felt as though he was no longer in chains.

“I don’t care.” He replied softly with a shrug, the words and his voice steady, despite the raging storm in his veins. He turned on his heels, thankfully, she’d signed the divorce papers.

He made his way back to his room to pick up the things he had packed together. He was done, and he was leaving…. Forever.

He had barely stepped outside when his phone rang, the sound jolting him out of his thoughts, and when he looked at the caller ID….

It was Julian.