Friends to foes

Alex arrived in New York with a singular purpose: to protect Isabella from the web of deceit and lies that Ethan had spun. The truth he had uncovered about Ethan's father—the real traitor behind the betrayal of his family—was explosive enough to destroy everything. But it wasn't just about revenge anymore; it was about keeping Isabella safe from a man who claimed to be her friend but had darker intentions.

As he walked through the bustling streets of New York, Alex felt a growing sense of urgency. He couldn't allow Ethan to manipulate her any longer. He had already arranged a private meeting with Victor's team, who had been tracking Ethan's movements, and now, he was ready to confront the man himself.

But first, he had to see Isabella.

That evening, Alex made his way to Isabella's apartment. He had decided against staying in a hotel this time—he needed to be closer to her. As he stood at her door, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever reaction she might have. He hadn't seen her in days, and with everything that had happened between them, he wasn't sure how she would respond.

He knocked.

A few moments later, the door opened, revealing Isabella standing there, looking surprised to see him. For a brief second, her eyes softened, but then the cool distance she had been maintaining resurfaced.

"Alex," she said quietly, stepping aside to let him in. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I couldn't stay away any longer," he admitted, stepping inside. "I needed to talk to you, Isabella."

She closed the door and crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "About what?"

Alex could see the hurt in her eyes, the way she had put up walls since she had left Tokyo. But there was something else—something that made him feel uneasy.

"I know you're upset with me," he began, his voice measured. "But there's something you need to know, and I didn't want to tell you over the phone. It's about Ethan."

Her brow furrowed. "Ethan? What about him?"

"He's been lying to you," Alex said, cutting straight to the point. "His father was the one who betrayed my family, not yours. He's been using you this whole time to settle an old score. And he's having you followed."

Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's not possible. Ethan wouldn't—"

"He would, and he has," Alex interrupted, his tone more serious. "He's not who you think he is, Isabella. He's dangerous, and he's been manipulating you."

Isabella stood still, her mind racing. She wanted to deny it, to believe that Ethan had been nothing but a good friend. But something inside her stirred—a deep-rooted doubt that had been growing over the past few weeks. Ethan had been too eager, too persistent, and now it all made sense.

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I didn't want to hurt you," Alex said softly. "I thought I could handle it, that I could keep you safe without dragging you into all of this. But now… I can't stand by and let him deceive you any longer."

Isabella looked away, feeling a mixture of anger and confusion. Everything she thought she knew about Ethan had been a lie. But there was one question still haunting her.

"Why didn't you trust me enough to tell me?" she asked, her eyes locking with Alex's. "I could have handled it. I deserved to know the truth."

Alex stepped closer to her, his expression pained. "I know. And I'm sorry. I was trying to protect you, but I realize now that I should have told you everything from the start."

The room fell silent as Isabella processed everything. She didn't know who to trust anymore. Alex had kept things from her, but Ethan had betrayed her in ways she hadn't even imagined.

"I need time," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex nodded, respecting her need for space. "I'll give you that. But please, be careful. Ethan isn't who he says he is."

Meanwhile, Ethan had begun to sense that his plan was unraveling. His men reported back to him that Alex had arrived in New York, and the tension in his chest grew. He had underestimated Alex's determination and underestimated how much Alex cared for Isabella.

He needed to act fast.

Ethan sat in his office, plotting his next move. He knew that Alex wouldn't be able to hold onto Isabella for long if he pushed the right buttons. He had to get her away from Alex, once and for all.

But this time, he wasn't going to rely on subtlety. He needed something more drastic, something that would force Isabella to turn her back on Alex completely.

He picked up the phone and dialed another number—a contact from his darker days.

"I need a favor," Ethan said into the phone, his voice cold. "I want you to cause some trouble for Alex. Nothing too serious, but enough to keep him occupied."

The voice on the other end agreed, and Ethan hung up, satisfied that his plan was in motion. If he could distract Alex long enough, he could get closer to Isabella—closer to winning her over.

The following days were tense. Alex gave Isabella the space she needed, but he kept a close eye on Ethan, waiting for his next move. He knew that the man wasn't going to give up easily, and he wasn't wrong.

Isabella, on the other hand, found herself torn between the two men. She had loved Alex deeply, but the lies and secrets had made her doubt him. Ethan, who had been her friend and confidant, now seemed like a stranger—a dangerous one.

One evening, as she sat alone in her apartment, she thought about the future. Could she forgive Alex for keeping the truth from her? Could she ever trust Ethan again?

Her phone buzzed, and she saw a message from Ethan: "Dinner tomorrow? Let's talk."

She stared at the screen, conflicted. She had to make a choice—one that would change everything.

But deep down, Isabella knew that the truth had already made the decision for her.