Chapter 20

"Give me your phone," I demanded

He handed me Max's phone after a long stare. I didn't care whose phone it was. "Mom, how could you leave without finishing your treatment? And who's this friend of yours?" I asked, my voice trembling.

I clutched my shirt tightly, glancing at Alexander, who was busy on his own phone.

"Teal, my darling," my mother's cheerful voice came through. "I just wanted to see you happy in your husband's home. Give this marriage a chance. Alexander truly cares for you."

Before I could respond, the call dropped. I handed the phone back to Max, ignoring Alexander's burning gaze.

"Teal, get in the car," he said coldly.

Without thinking, my feet moved toward the car. He slammed the door shut before getting in on the other side.

"Take me back to the dorms. I don't want to go to your house. There's no need to keep up appearances now that my mother's gone," I said, staring out the window.

He didn't answer. Instead, with one swift motion, he pulled me onto his lap.

"Have you lost your mind?" I yelled, struggling against his grip.

"You're not going anywhere, Teal," he said firmly. "Your place is here, with me. And this marriage is not a pretense."

His words left me speechless. Why had he chosen me?

The car stopped suddenly, and Max stepped out. I tried to do the same, but Alexander's strong arms held me firmly in place. My short skirt made the situation even more awkward.

When Max returned to the car and started driving again, Alexander pulled me closer, pressing me against his chest.

"I've already lost someone dear to me once. Please, don't leave me, Teal," he whispered, his voice heavy with emotion.

For a moment, the air between us shifted. His arms tightened around me, and I wondered—should I give this marriage a chance?

I wanted to ask about the person he'd lost, but it was nearly midnight, and the dorms wouldn't accept me at this hour. So I stayed silent as he took me to his house.

I immediately went to take a refreshing shower and then sat down to review some of my notes.

I didn't notice when he entered the room. He was sitting on the bed, reading a book. The glasses he wore suited him, accentuating his sharp features. When he caught me staring, he smiled, his expression so warm it made my heart skip.

'Any girl would fall for you, Alex. But me… I'm different,' I thought, turning my face away. I couldn't let myself fall for him. Not while Steven was still on my mind.

"Don't worry, Teal," he said, closing his book. "I'll wait for the moment you fall in love with me. Until then, just give this marriage a chance."

He gestured to the bed, inviting me to sit beside him. My heart pounded in my ears. Could he read my thoughts, or was I just that easy to read?

Steven abandoned you, I told myself. But Alexander—whatever his hidden motives—was willing to wait for you. Maybe he could help you move on.

I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my hair back.

"I can't promise anything," I said softly. "But I'll try."

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my neck, and reached over to turn off the bedside lamp.

As he moved back, his lips hovered near mine, teasingly close.

"Good," he whispered, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'll hold you to your word."

I wasn't sure what he meant, but I never went back on my promises. All I wanted was for him to step away before my emotions boiled over.

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Alexander's Point of View:

"Excuse me," I said as I walked into my office, only to find my uncle lounging in my chair, his feet resting casually on my desk. He stared at me, clearly waiting for an answer.

"I've told you before—stay out of my personal life," I said, irritation sharpening my tone.

He raised an eyebrow and replied, "I'm not here about mafia business or anything like that. I need a favor. Do you remember the girl I was with yesterday?"

Oh, I remember her. "Yes," I replied. How could I not? It was Ayor, Teal's friend. I was a little surprised to see her with my uncle, but honestly, I didn't care.

"You're her professor at the university. I need to stay close to her around the clock. As you know, there are countless enemies out there. I want you to find me a way to work inside the university. Basically... yes, I'm stalking her. I can't stand being rejected."

For the love of God, was I hearing this right? I let out a loud laugh, smirking at him with a sharp gaze.

"And what's in it for me?" I asked.

Standing up, he adjusted his suit and replied, "I'll turn a blind eye to your personal life, including your secret marriage that no one knows about. And I won't pressure you into mafia business for three years. A lucrative deal, don't you think?"

That cunning uncle of mine knew exactly what I wanted. "Deal," I said, glancing at my phone. A message from Max popped up—he was keeping an eye on Teal, as I'd instructed.

"She's quite strange," my uncle muttered as I left the office. I ignored him entirely, heading straight to the location Max had sent me.

On my way out, I bumped into my sister, Mandy, at the door.

"I don't have time for your nonsense. If you've come to talk about Grandpa's inheritance, forget it," I said bluntly as I noticed her tear-streaked face.

"Abain... he's been taken. I don't know how. I went shopping with Bora and left him with the nanny. When I got back, he was gone. Please, Alex, bring Abain back. I'll do anything, I swear," she sobbed loudly.

My uncle emerged from my office, flicking his cigarette to the ground.

"Stay with her. I'll handle this," he said, glancing at Mandy, who looked utterly pitiful.

Oh, Mandy. How could you leave Abain with the nanny? Whoever dared harm the Apex family would regret it.

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Teal's Point of View:

"Finally, my phone is fixed. I don't even know how to thank you for your help," I said to Priya, the girl who hadn't left my side since she learned I rejected the wealthy and charming Samuel.