Chapter 150

Scarlet's POV

Alex was trying.

I could see it in the way he hovered around me, making sure I had everything I needed, the way his hand would linger near my back as if he wanted to touch me but knew better than to try. He cooked for me, even though I barely ate. He brought me warm blankets, placed pillows under my feet, ran his hands over my stomach when he thought I was asleep.

I let him.

Not because I forgave him, but because I was too tired to fight.

The baby took so much out of me, and I hated that he was the one making sure I was okay. Hated that even when I wanted to scream at him, my body leaned into the comfort he gave.

But I would never love him.

I reminded myself of that every time he looked at me like I was his whole world.

I didn't care how much he tried. It didn't change what he did.

I was resting on the couch, rubbing small circles over my belly, when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen. My brother.

I hesitated before answering. "Ryan?"

"Did you know about this?" he demanded, not even bothering with a greeting.

My brows furrowed. "Know about what?"

"The shares, Scarlet. He gave them back."

My stomach tightened. "What?"

"He called a meeting, did it in front of everyone. Even gave up his own shares. He's walking away."

I gripped the phone tighter.

Why?

Why was he doing this?

Alex walked into the room then, carrying a plate of sliced fruit. He paused when he saw my expression, his own face guarded.

I stood, ignoring the slight dizziness that hit me. "Ryan, I'll call you back."

I hung up before he could say more, my eyes locked on Alex's.

"You gave the shares back?"

He nodded, setting the plate down on the table. "Yes."

I took a step closer. "And your own?"

Another nod.

I stared at him, searching his face for an answer. "Why?"

His jaw tightened. "Because it was never mine to take. Because I ruined your family. Because I-" He exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. "Because I needed to make it right."

I hated how my heart clenched at his words.

I hated that a part of me wanted to believe him.

I crossed my arms. "You think giving back the company will change anything? That I'll suddenly love you for it?"

Pain flashed across his face, quick but unmistakable.

"No," he said. "I know it won't."

"Then why?"

"Because I don't want to be that man anymore."

I scoffed, shaking my head. "It's too late, Alex. You can't undo everything you did."

He nodded, his eyes dark and heavy. "I know."

Silence stretched between us.

He looked exhausted.

I should have been happy. This was what I wanted, wasn't it?

For him to suffer the way I had?

To feel the loss, the regret, the pain?

But why did it feel so empty?

I turned away. "Giving up your shares doesn't change anything. I'll never love you, Alex."

I felt him tense behind me, but he didn't argue.

"Even if you never love me," he said quietly, "I'll still take care of you. And our baby."

I closed my eyes, willing the ache in my chest to disappear.

I wouldn't let myself fall for him again. I saw the way his face fell when I told him I'd never love him.

The way his body tensed, his hands curling into fists like he was bracing for the pain.

But I pretended I didn't care.

It was easier that way.

If I acknowledged it, if I let myself feel bad, I might start softening toward him. And I couldn't let that happen.

Not after everything.

But then I saw it-the slight wince as he shifted, his hand pressing briefly against his side.

Where I stabbed him.

A sharp pang of guilt ran through me, unexpected and unwelcome.

I shouldn't feel bad. He deserved it.

Didn't he?

Yet, he never mentioned it. Never threw it in my face or used it as an excuse to punish me.

Instead, he still treated me well.

Too well.

It made it harder to hate him.

"Are you okay?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

He looked up from where he was folding a blanket over the couch, his brow furrowed like he hadn't expected me to ask.

"I'm fine," he said, but his eyes searched mine, like he was trying to find something in them.

I looked away.

"Do you need anything?" he asked, stepping closer.

I sighed, pressing a hand to my stomach. "You've done enough."

"Not enough," he murmured. "Tell me what I can do, Scarlet. Anything."

I didn't know why I said it. Maybe I wanted to test him. Maybe I wanted to hurt him the way he hurt me.

"Let me go."

Silence.

His whole body stiffened, his expression closing off.

"No."

"Alex-"

"I can't." His voice was strained, as if the thought alone was unbearable. "I can't live without you."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "You don't get to say that. You didn't care when you were destroying my life. You didn't care when you-"

"I did care," he cut in, his eyes dark with something raw, something desperate. "I just didn't know how to stop."

I shook my head. "You can't keep me here forever."

"I know." His hand clenched at his side. "But I'll do anything, Scarlet. Anything but that."

Frustration swirled inside me. "Why? Why are you doing all this now? Why not just let me go and move on?"

His gaze burned into mine.

"Because I love you."

I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart pounding against my ribs.

No.

No, he didn't get to say that.

Not after everything.

Not when I was trying so hard to keep my heart closed off from him.

Before I could speak, before I could push him away, he stepped forward, closing the distance between us in one swift movement.

And then he kissed me.

I gasped, my body stiffening, but he didn't stop. His lips moved against mine, desperate, pleading, like he was trying to pour every unspoken word into the kiss.

I should have pulled away.

I should have slapped him.

But I didn't.

For one brief moment, I let myself feel it.

The warmth of his hands on my waist. The way his body trembled against mine, like he was barely holding himself together.

And worst of all…

The way my heart ached, not from hatred, but from something I refused to name.