Chapter 38 A Clash of Tempers

Chapter 38 A Clash of Tempers
ELENA

The moment Alexander's fingers curled around my wrist and dragged me out of the cafe, my anger ignited like a lit match struck to a cylinder of gasoline. I didn't have enough time to register the stunned look on Riley's face or the way the other patrons whispered amongst themselves before the cafe doors shut behind us, and I was left alone with the man who had just humiliated me.

Alexander's grip was firm but surprisingly not painful as he led me toward his car. His jaw was tightly set, and his movements were sharp, obviously frustrated. His guards, including Prescott, were already by the vehicle, waiting for instructions.

I yanked my wrist free the second we reached the sidewalk.

"Are you insane?!" I hissed at him, my voice low but seething. "You just dragged me out of there like some caveman in front of everyone! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Caveman," I said; Alexander scoffed and then turned to me slowly, his steely grey eyes burning with something unreadable but intense.

"What's wrong with me?" he repeated in a deceptively calm voice. "What's wrong with you? I gave you an order, Elena. I told you to leave with Prescott, and you—" He took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring angrily. "You disobeyed me."

That was it?!
That was why he barged into the cafe and dragged me out.
I laughed hollowly, folding my arms over my chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I'd signed up for military service, Mr. Commander, sir. I never realized I was meant to be ordered around whenever you please!" I said in a tone of mock apology, then took a step closer as my own temper flared. "You don't get to order me around like I'm your property, Alexander! This whole possessive, overbearing act? It's getting old."

His patience snapped, and he stepped closer, towering over me, then his voice dropped into something icy.

"I am trying to keep you safe, Elena. But you—" He released a sharp breath and raked a hand through his hair in evident frustration. 

"You make it impossible. You're reckless, you're stubborn, and you're acting like a goddamn brat."

I stiffened.

"Excuse me?" My voice was dangerously low, and my entire body shook with anger. I was literally trembling.

"You heard me," Alexander bit out. "I'm risking everything to make sure you're not caught in something you don't understand, and instead of cooperating, you decide to be difficult on purpose."

"Let me repeat this," I said. "I am not your wife. This is a civil surrogacy contract, and you don't own me."

"My child grows inside of you," he said, his breath hot against my face as he stepped closer.

"And that's all there is to this contract. You do not own me, and I am sure I can do whatever I want!"

"Not on my watch."

I was frustrated. I eyed him and slowly stepped forward until I was almost chest-to-chest.

"You arrogant, controlling bastard." My lips curled into a scornful smirk. "Tell me something, Alexander. Do you even hear yourself? Or are you so used to people kissing the ground you walk on that you can't handle the idea of a woman not bowing to your every command?"

Alexander's teeth clenched.

"This isn't about control, damn it. This is about—"

"Oh, spare me," I cut him off, my voice filled with disdain. "You keep saying this is about my safety, but let's be real, Alexander. You're just pissed that I didn't obey you in front of your little soldiers. Your ego is bruised. That's all this is."

Alexander's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, I went for the jugular one more time.

"And let's not forget," I continued, my voice like steel, "this is just a contract, remember? You don't own me. I'm not your wife. You don't get to care."

And then there was silence.
A heavy, dangerous one that settled between us.
For the first time since this argument started, something in Alexander's expression shifted. It was brief—just a flicker—but I saw it.
I saw the way he hesitated, the look in his eyes. A flash of something raw before it disappeared behind his steely gray eyes.
Instantly, I felt like I should apologize to him. But just as quickly, his walls slammed back into place. His expression hardened, and his voice turned glassy.

"You think I don't know that?" he murmured in a voice that was almost too quiet. It made me regret saying the words to him. I had called him other things, so why was this the only thing that hurt him the most? I wondered.

But I refused to back down. If I'd already begun this, I could finish what I started.

"Then act like it," I shot at him, even though I'd instantly lost the energy to keep up with the fight.

Alexander's fingers flexed at his sides like he was resisting the urge to grab something—whether it was me or something to break, I wasn't sure. But before either of us could say another word—

"Alexander?"

The interruption came from behind us. I froze.

Alexander tensed.

That voice was unmistakable and very familiar. Slowly, we both turned.
Victoria was standing just a few feet away, dressed in a sleek designer coat, with perfectly styled, unnaturally dyed dark hair and sharp, inquisitive eyes.
For a moment, none of us spoke. We all just stared at each other.
Then, Victoria's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile.

"I didn't expect to run into you like this," she said, her sharp eyes scanning between us. "And—" She turned her attention to me. "It's been a while, Elena."

I lifted my chin slightly, managing to mask my unease.

"Likewise, Victoria," I said, ignoring how she looked me over in the hoodie and denim I wore. I still hadn't forgotten that Victoria had been rude to me at Alexander's mother's place, and I hadn't told Alexander about Victoria's visit to my apartment right before he appeared and right before the gunmen attacked me.

Victoria hummed and tilted her head, studying both of us.

"Interesting," she said.

Alexander, who had been silent until now, exhaled sharply.

"Victoria, we don't have time for this," he muttered coldly.

Victoria's expression didn't change, but she took a step closer.

"Then I'll make this quick." She lowered her voice, her tone turning sharp. She eyed me for the last time before focusing on Alexander. 

"The other day, at dinner with your Mom, you both mentioned something very interesting."
My stomach twisted.

Alexander's expression darkened.

"Victoria—"

"You told your mother that Elena was your fiancée," Victoria cut him off, speaking ever so confidently. "But that's not true, is it?"
My blood ran cold.

Alexander's entire body went rigid right at that instant.
Victoria's gaze sharpened. She knew she had us by a hook.

"Because I distinctly heard you two just now. And from what I gather…" She smiled, slow and knowing.

"This is all just a contract, isn't it?"

The air suddenly turned suffocating.
My heart slammed hard against my ribs.
Oh shit, what had I done?

Alexander's hands curled into fists.
And just like that—Victoria had us cornered.
She had found out the one thing we had both signed to be a secret!