The Broken and the Betrayed

A Love Torn Apart

"I never loved you."

The words still rang in Alexander Kingston's ears, each syllable a knife slicing through his chest.

He stood frozen in his office, his broad frame illuminated only by the dim glow of the computer screen that had just gone dark. Emma's face had disappeared from the monitor, but her words lingered, suffocating the air around him.

No.

It wasn't possible.

She was lying.

She had to be lying.

Alexander had seen love before—women fawning over him, desperate to win his affection, drawn to his wealth and power.

But with Emma, it had been different.

Real.

She had looked at him with raw, unfiltered emotion.

Held onto him as if he were her anchor in a storm.

Told him in whispers, in soft touches, in stolen moments that he was her world.

And yet, she had just ripped that world apart in seconds.

His hands curled into fists, his knuckles turning white.

Beside him, Derek shifted uncomfortably.

"Boss..." His voice was cautious, but Alexander didn't acknowledge him.

Instead, he turned slowly, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Derek's.

"Get the team ready."

Derek hesitated, his brows furrowing. "Alexander, we need to think—"

The chair scraped against the marble as Alexander stood, the sound cutting through the thick tension in the room.

"We move tonight," he said, his voice deadly calm.

Derek exhaled sharply but gave a single nod. "Understood."

Alexander turned back toward the dark screen, his fingers tightening at his sides.

He didn't know what Moretti had done to make Emma say those words.

But one thing was certain—

Moretti was about to pay.

—

The Weight of a Lie

Emma sat curled in the corner of her cold, damp cell, her body trembling.

Not from the cold.

Not from fear.

But from what she had just done.

"I never loved you."

Her own words echoed in her mind, making her stomach twist painfully.

She wanted to scream.

To take them back.

To tell Alexander the truth.

That she loved him.

That she would always love him.

But Moretti had left her no choice.

His threats still rang in her ears.

"Tell him you never loved him, or I'll make sure he dies painfully."

Emma knew Alexander was powerful, untouchable in many ways.

But Moretti was a monster.

He played dirty.

And she couldn't risk Alexander walking into a trap because of her.

Her fingernails dug into her palms as she took a shaky breath.

It didn't matter if Alexander hated her now.

As long as he was safe.

—

Preparing for War

Midnight.

The world outside was silent.

But inside Alexander's private estate, war was brewing.

His men stood in formation, armed and ready.

Alexander adjusted the cuff of his black tactical shirt before grabbing his gun and sliding it into the holster.

Derek approached. "We have the layout of Moretti's compound. It won't be an easy infiltration, but we can—"

"We're not infiltrating," Alexander cut in, his voice like ice.

Derek hesitated. "Then what are we—"

"We're destroying it."

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Derek's face.

"Got it, boss."

—

The Night of Reckoning

They moved swiftly through the city, unseen shadows against the darkness.

Alexander didn't speak.

Didn't hesitate.

Every step brought him closer to Emma.

To her.

And to the man who dared take her from him.

The second they reached the compound, Alexander gave a single nod.

Then—

Hell broke loose.

Gunfire. Explosions. Screams.

And in the chaos, Alexander moved through the halls with one goal in mind.

Find Emma.

Save her.

And never let her go again.