Chapter 232: You're So Damn Stubborn

Chapter 232: You're So Damn Stubborn
Alexander’s POV

Did I want her to leave? Hell no. Every damn cell in my body screamed for her to stay, to wrap her arms around me and never let go. But what I wanted and what she deserved? Those were worlds apart.

"You should head back to Highcrest City," I said, keeping my tone steady, like I wasn't dying inside. "That's your home now."

Her eyes narrowed, sharp as knives. "That's not what I asked. I asked if you want me to leave."

"What I want doesn't matter."

"We're still legally married, Alexander," she shot back, her voice turning to steel. "Whether you like it or not."

I set down my spoon, the porridge turning to sawdust in my mouth. "We can fix that. If you want your freedom, we can start the divorce papers today."

The word "divorce" hit like a sucker punch. Nora's face froze, like I'd just slapped her across the cheek.

"Say that again," she whispered, her voice barely holding together.

I locked eyes with her, steeling myself. "We can get divorced. I won't chain you to me anymore."

Nora's gaze flicked to the staff hovering like ghosts around us. She lifted her hand, signaling the head waiter with a polite but no-bullshit wave.

"Could you all give us the room?" she asked firmly. "We need some privacy."

They exchanged quick looks but nodded, filing out like pros. In seconds, the massive dining room was ours alone, the door clicking shut behind them.

Once they were gone, Nora's mask cracked. "Have you forgotten we have a son together?" she said, her voice trembling just a bit. "Aiden needs both his parents. We can't just... cut each other out."

I stayed silent, which only lit the fuse on her frustration.

"Do you ever think about what I might feel?" she pressed, leaning in closer. "Or do you just call all the shots yourself?"

When I didn't bite, something in her snapped.

"Do you have any clue what this last month has been like for me?" Her voice climbed, raw and edged with pain. "Waiting for a call, a text—anything. Crying myself to sleep every night, replaying what I did wrong."

The mental image of her alone, tears soaking her pillow, gutted me. But I kept my face blank, a wall of ice.

"You just vanished to Kingsley City without a word," she went on, her words like daggers. "Like I was nothing. Like we were nothing."

"Nora—"

"No, you listen," she cut in, fierce. "I know you love me, Alexander. I know it. But you can't keep treating me like this."

I turned away, staring out the window as my eyes burned. No way was I letting her see me crack. Not like this.

"Say something," she demanded. "Talk to me, damn it."

When I didn't, she slammed her palm on the table, the sound echoing like a gunshot.

"I didn't come to Kingsley City just for the Lunora deal," she confessed, her voice dropping. "I came to ask you one thing: What happens to us now?"

I finally faced her, my control fraying at the edges. "I only love you, Nora. It's only ever been you."

"Then why leave me?" The hurt in her voice was a knife twist.

I opened my mouth, but the words stuck. How the hell do you explain that loving someone means setting them free? That every time I looked at her, I saw the wreckage I'd caused?

Nora watched me struggle, her expression softening as it clicked. "You're hurting too," she said quietly. "I see it. But my pain? It's a hundred times worse because I'm the one left hanging, wondering, hoping."

She leaned forward, her eyes locked on mine like a lifeline.

"You know what's really messed up? You're basically pushing me straight into Charles's arms."

Smith's name made my jaw clench like a vise, but I swallowed the rage. "I don't deserve a life with you, Nora."

"Is that what this is?" she asked, incredulous. "You don't 'deserve' me?"

"Remember what I did?" I said, my voice rough and harsh. "After the accident, when I lost my memory? The shit I said, how I treated you? That fake-ass game with Vivian that drove you away—while you were pregnant with our kid?"

"So you're punishing yourself by punishing me?" Nora shook her head, disbelief written all over her face. "That's not how love works. If you want to fix this, you fight for it—not run."

"I thought..." I trailed off, hesitating. "I thought you'd be disappointed in me. That you'd look at me different."

"I was pissed, yeah," she admitted. "Beyond furious. But I'm here now, aren't I? I chased after you."

She reached across the table, her fingers inches from mine—close enough to feel the heat. "I don't need more 'I'm sorry's, Alexander. I need 'I love you.'"

My throat tightened as I stared at this incredible woman who still wanted my broken ass. "Nora," I rasped, emotion choking me, "I love you. That'll never change."

Hope lit up her eyes, and it nearly shattered me—because I knew what came next.

"But the accident changed everything," I pushed on. "It changed our story's end."

"No," she fired back, fierce as hell. "It just rerouted our path. We're still here, damn it."

"You lost a child because of that crash," I said, the words ripping me apart. "You carved into your own body to save my sorry life."

Realization hit her like a wave. "So that's it. That's why you're bailing."

"You deserve better than a guy who only brings you pain," I muttered.

"That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard," she snapped, anger flashing hot. "You're Alexander Claflin. When did you turn into a quitter?"

I didn't answer, and her voice softened, pulling at me. "The happiness we had before the accident? That was real. It got me through the hell that followed. I dreamed of building a life with you—raising Aiden, maybe more kids someday."

The future she described was everything I craved, but I couldn't grab it. Not when I was poison.

"I'll give you one last shot," she said, steady even as tears welled up. "Do you want me and Aiden in your life? Yes or no? Because if you say no, I'll take Charles up on his offer. And we'll be strangers."

The idea of her with him made me want to tear the world apart, but I clung to the reason: This was for her. Always for her.

"I'm sorry, Nora," I whispered.

Her face crumpled, but she pulled it together fast. "Is that your final answer?"

"Even if you can forgive me," I said, the words scorching my throat, "I can't forgive myself."

The light in her eyes died, leaving devastation.

"You'll be happy," I lied, the bitterness choking me. "Smith will treat you right. You'll have a good life."

Nora stared at me, a storm of hurt and disbelief swirling in her gaze. Then, without a word, she bolted from the room, her footsteps echoing like a fading heartbeat.

I jumped up instinctively, taking two steps after her before freezing. This was for the best. It had to be.

Instead, I staggered to the window, watching her burst out of the estate, tears streaming as she sprinted to her car. Each step away from me twisted the knife deeper.

I didn't hear my mom until she intercepted Nora at the gate. They traded quick words, Nora's face a mask of raw pain even from afar. Then Nora shoved past and slid into her car.

"Edward," I barked, knowing my butler was lurking.

He appeared like a shadow. "Sir?"

"Send security after Nora. She's upset—don't let her drive alone."

"Immediately, sir."

Seconds later, the front door slammed, followed by furious heels clicking toward me. My mom stormed in, eyes blazing like wildfire.

"What the hell did you do?" she demanded. "I just saw Nora bawling her eyes out!"

I turned back to the window, avoiding her stare. "It's over between us."

"Over?" she echoed, like I'd lost my mind. "What are you talking about?"

"Nora and me," I said flatly. "It's not happening anymore."

"You're gonna regret this, Alexander," she warned, voice sharp.

"I already do."

"Is there someone else?" she asked, suspicion creeping in. "Is that it?"

"No," I said firmly. "There's no one. There never will be."

She studied me hard, then shook her head in disgust. "You're being a stubborn idiot, destroying yourself—and her—in the process."