Chapter 118 Not Alone Anymore

Chapter 118 Not Alone Anymore
Days passed.

But nothing was changing.

My life had stopped the moment I found out Vince’s true nature.

How could he manipulate me?

Did everything mean nothing to him?

And me? 

Why did my heart still ache for him?

“Vince…” Calling his name brought moist in my eyes as I clutched the sheets.

The sun had risen, morning was calling all people to go to their respective works but as I laid powerlessly, I questioned my very existence.

‘For whom do I live?’

Yet in order to exist, I forced myself to get up.

I didn’t care if I was late for work.

Or my eyeliner did not match. 

I just had to move and not… be lifeless.

When I came down to leave for work, Vince’s voice came from the other side. He was already in his immaculate, untouched form.

“Have breakfast.”

I stopped in my tracks, glanced back at him with my breath catching in my throat, I couldn’t speak.

My heart already began to race and hurt at the same time.

Not a single greeting or word could escape my tongue. 

“Alyssa.” 

He pressed on his word, placing his coffee down and narrowed his eyes at me but I walked away.

I needed to be away, far away from him.

I needed… ‘What do I actually need?’ 

What was happening to me?

Why couldn’t this stupid heart understand we shouldn’t be desiring a man who lied to us!?

In order to ensure I remained functional, I poured my mind into work.

“Are you sure you are alright, Ma’am?” Wick asked.

He saw, of course, everyone had seen.

The bangs under my eyes, the lack of appetite, the weakness, the grief of my father’s death. 

“Hmm. You may leave.” I replied coldly, not lifting my eyes from the documents.

He opened his mouth but closed it.

He knew it was futile. 

With a loud sigh, he nodded and walked out as I continued working.

I didn’t know for how long I did. 

Maybe I passed the lunchtime as well yet my hands—that were aching by now from typing and working—refused to stop.

Until—

The doors of my cabin clicked open softly without a knock and I hated my mind thought it might be Vince.

Why would he?  

I didn't look up immediately, assuming it was Wick returning with the project files.

“Wick, just leave the reports on the table,” 

My hand still glued to the keyboard, my reading glasses perched on my nose until the familiar voice reached my ears.

“I don't think Wick can help you with what I came to say, Alyssa.”

My breath caught in my throat as my head snapped up instantly.

Only to find Arden standing.

He closed the door slowly behind him, his eyes cautiously reading mine while I was utterly frozen.

I no longer knew what to do.

How to react.

I left him. I choose Vince right at his doorsteps. 

How could I look him in the eye after that?

“Alyssa?” 

He looked different—softer, leaner. Maybe it was a blend of compassion and pity for the loss of my father.

Maybe he was here to pay condolences for my father.

But I couldn't feel anything but to remember my last meeting.

Every word. The pride I once had.

Now, all of it has turned to ash.

“Arden…” I breathed out, my voice barely a whisper. 

“What are you doing here? If Vince finds out—” I was already rising from the seat, taking off the glasses.

“I don't care about Vince right now,” Arden interrupted softly, taking a slow, hesitant step into the office. 

“I heard about your father. I... I came to tell you how deeply sorry I am, Alyssa.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening as fresh tears stung the back of my eyes. 

“Thank you…. For the flowers, too.”

Arden walked closer, but unsure if I would let him, he stopped. 

His dark eyes searched my pale, exhausted face, filled with a gentle, painful concern that made me feel awkward and ashamed.

I couldn’t look him in the eyes and proudly tell him I am with the man I love...

“You look like you haven't slept in days,” His voice was laced with genuine worry. 

I waited for a mock that never came.

“Alyssa. You don’t have to carry all the pain.” 

I looked down more.

“You are not alone or without support anymore.

My shoulders began to shake.

“It's okay to break down.”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

In a world where I found myself utterly alone, I broke.

The wall of composure I had tried so hard crumbled instantly. A single tear escaped.

Seeing it, Arden bypassed the desk entirely. 

He stepped up beside my chair, reaching out hesitant arms before gently pulling me up and drawing me into a warm, careful embrace.

“I'm here,” Arden whispered softly into the quiet room, his hand gently patting my back as he held me. 

“I'm so sorry for everything you've had to go through.”

For a second, I didn't pull away. 

“I… I don’t know what to do, Arden…”

I let my forehead rest against his shoulder, closing my eyes, letting the familiar scent of his cologne wash over me as a broken cry left my lips.

“Do you—” 

His voice became a dark whisper that sent a cold shudder straight down my spine:

“—still think your husband is a saint... after overhearing everything?”

My eyes widened in appall along with a shiver going down my spine.

“Wh–what…?”

Arden leaned down, his lips stopping mere inches from my ear.

“I know you were there, Alyssa.” 

His grip on me tightened and I found myself completely numb.

“I know you heard everything. Yet here you are, still with him?” 

He pulled back enough to stare in my eyes.

“Why, Alyssa? Why?”

“Arden… I.. I…” I gulped, my fingers unintentionally digging into his shirt.

“I don’t know what else to do… Where else to go.”

“I am no longer in Germany, Alyssa. I am here. Right here.” 

He placed his large hand over my shoulder, locking his eyes intensely with mine.

“Let me make one thing right in my life.” 

“What do you mean?”

“I had made too many mistakes. I carry a heavy weight of regrets.”

Before I could ask what regrets he was talking about, he inhaled sharply and gave my shoulders a squeeze of assurance.

“But if I let you drown you, I won’t be able to look at myself in the mirror.” 

“Why would you do that for me?”

“To at least save one soul.”  

My eyes narrowed only to find a broken smile coming to his lips.

“Let me help you, Alyssa. Let me show you what a bastard your husband truly is. Let me show you….”

His hand slowly reached my hands, holding them firmly as he enunciated a reality I was not prepared for.

“The blood on his hands.”