THE UNBREAKABLE BOND

Chapter Four: The Unbreakable Bond

Isabella's world was crumbling around her, yet in the midst of the chaos, one thing remained clear—her heart had never truly let go of Alexander.

After Nicholas stormed out, leaving behind an air of tension and finality, Alexander remained. His presence was steady, his gaze unwavering, as if waiting for her to acknowledge the truth that neither of them could deny.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, stepping closer.

Isabella's breath hitched. She wasn't okay. She was drowning in emotions too deep to control. But somehow, standing in front of Alexander, the weight on her chest felt lighter, as if he alone could breathe life back into her.

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander took another step, closing the distance between them until she could feel the warmth of his body radiating toward her. He reached up, brushing his fingers against her cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was electric, sending shivers down her spine.

"You're trembling," he murmured.

"It's… it's just a lot," she whispered.

His fingers lingered, tracing the curve of her jaw. "Then let me take you away from it all. Just for tonight."

Her eyes darted to his, uncertainty flickering in their depths. "Alexander, I—"

"No pressure, no expectations," he interrupted, his voice as gentle as the night breeze. "Just you and me. Like old times."

The memories of their past washed over her—nights spent sneaking away together, stolen kisses under moonlit skies, whispered confessions of love. He had been her greatest love, her deepest wound.

And yet, she still wanted him.

Nodding slowly, she whispered, "Okay."

A slow smile spread across Alexander's face before he gently took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers as if they had never been apart. Without another word, he led her out of the office, away from the weight of responsibility, away from the life that had kept them apart for so long.

The drive to the secluded villa by the lake was filled with a comfortable silence. Isabella stared out the window, watching the city lights fade into the darkness as they neared the familiar place where so many of their memories had been made.

When they arrived, Alexander parked the car and turned to face her. "You remember this place, don't you?"

She swallowed hard, nodding. "How could I forget?"

This was where they had shared their first kiss. Where they had whispered dreams of forever.

Alexander stepped out and opened the door for her, taking her hand as he led her inside. The villa was just as she remembered—warm, intimate, filled with echoes of a love that had never truly died.

As they stepped onto the balcony, overlooking the moonlit lake, Isabella let out a shaky breath. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you," Alexander murmured.

Her heart clenched at his words, at the sincerity in his voice. She turned to him, her breath catching as she met his gaze—intense, filled with longing.

"I don't know what to do," she confessed, her voice breaking. "I don't know how to choose between my heart and my mind."

Alexander cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing against her bottom lip. "Then don't think," he whispered. "Just feel."

And before she could stop herself, before she could remind herself of all the reasons why this was wrong, she leaned into him.

His lips met hers in a kiss so tender, so full of aching need, that she felt herself unraveling in his arms. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss until there was no space left between them.

Time slowed. The world melted away.

It was just them, wrapped in the warmth of each other's love, lost in the passion that had been waiting to be reignited.

As the night stretched on, Isabella knew one thing for certain—no matter what happened next, no matter the choice she had to make, she could never deny the way Alexander made her feel.

Alive.

Loved.

Complete.

To be continued…