Chapter 37: THE WEIGHT OF DOUBT/SELLING THE DEAL

Alex's POV

It'a been long since Freya left and I still could not stand from my seat. I remained seated at my desk, her angry words echoing in my head, the expression she had on her face etched in my thoughts.

The room was quiet apart from the gentle tick of the clock on the wall. My fingers rose to my throat, where she had roughly gripped me mere moments ago. The tenderness remained there, not just from the tightness of her grip, but from the bitter realization that I had failed.

I wasn’t supposed to hesitate.

I had been repeating to myself for months that I needed to take Sarah's twins in order to truly ruin her. But looking at her there in that hospital, in pain, with Spencer looming over her protectively, just snapped something inside of me.

I settled back in my chair and exhaled slowly as my gaze traveled across my desk to the little wooden frame sitting by a stack of documents. I'd kept it hidden from sight for months now, shoved it among the cluster of files in my cupboard, but I had brought it back out now. I picked it up with hesitant fingers, my gaze tracking over the picture, it's edges already work out.

It was an old picture of Sarah and I, taken a long time ago... when we had just engaged. She was smiling, leaning in towards me, her arms around my waist. My old self was smiling too, my hand resting softly on her shoulder, my face a picture of relaxation—one of happiness. It was a portion of myself that I barely knew anymore.

I ground my teeth and flung the frame onto the desk, the glass covering it cracking. That version of me was dead.

Or at least, he was meant to be.

I rubbed my temples, my mind racing with memories that I had spent months trying to keep buried. The twist of Sarah's face in pain as she gave birth. The glance Spencer had shared with her. The way I had lingered outside that hospital room, not wanting to go forward but not wanting to leave.

Was I really going to steal her babies from her?

It... It was just so cruel.

I shut my eyes and I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk. My hands clasped together and pressed against my lips as doubt slowly seeped into my bones. I could still feel Freya's voice in my head, laced with venom and annoyance.

"Put your head back in the game or I'll have you out."

She'd meant it.

Freya wasn't the type to make empty threats. If I backed out now, she wouldn't merely turn on Sarah—she'd turn on me too. And considering her track record, she wouldn't hesitate to throw me under the bus if it could advance her own victory.

My jaw tightened.

I don't know how long I remained seated there, staring at nothing, my mind torn. All I knew was that for the first time since this all started, I wasn't sure about anything anymore.

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Freya's POV

The lounge was dimly lit, the soft hum of jazz music hanging in the air as I stirred the gold gin in my drink. I kissed my teeth as I thought back to the afternoon. I still recalled clearly the expression Alex had on his face when I had him pinned. Former me wouldn't have done such, but seeing that Alex was beginning to go soft, I had no choice but to bring him back to his senses. Still, nothing that I had told him was a lie. I was capable of doing worse.

The sound of soft patter of shows walking toward my direction pulled me out if my thoughts, causing me to lift my head up. A slow smile formed on my lips as I watched Gabrielle approach, her careful stride giving away the tension she was trying to bury. She darted a quick look around the room before her gaze landed on me, her eyes widening for a brief moment before she walked over to me.

I settled back in the plush leather chair, my smile widening as she closed in the distance between us. "Finally," I told myself, putting my drink down on the coaster on the table with a soft clink.

Gabrielle fidgeted, then sat in the chair opposite me, her hands crossed in her lap. "I... I didn't know if I should come in," she whispered.

I arched an eyebrow. "Oh, but you did. That means that you must already know turning me down is not a privilege you have."

She took a hard swallow, shifting uncomfortably beneath my gaze. "Ma, what is it that you want from me?"

"Do you really want to still go over the discussion, Gabby-can I call you Gabby?" She hesitated for a moment before giving me a slow nod. "Gabby, don't tell me you've forgotten about all we discussed back at my car."

Gabrielle's hands curled into a fist on her lap. "You need me to sabotage Sarah."

"Quick girl," I said, leaning forward a little. "You see, Sarah's been spoiled too much. She just prances around as if she's better than everyone else, when we both know otherwise. Everyone has a breaking point, and I want you to find Sarah's."

Suddenly, she stood up, her face uncertain. "Freya, I—I don't think I can do this. Sarah never was mean to me, and—"

I put my hand down on the table with a loud thud, the sound abrupt. Gabrielle stiffened, eyes opened wide as she looked back at me in horror. I cocked my head, observing her squirm.

"Let me remind you of something, Gabrielle," I continued, my voice dropping to a chill whisper. "I know everything about you. I know where your parents live, where your little brother goes to school, and where your fiance works. It would be a shame if something occurred to any of them, huh?"

Gabrielle took a step back, her eyes open in horror. "You... you wouldn't—"

"Try me," I said, my smile slowly returning.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she struggled to get hold of herself. "Why are you doing this?" She asked, her voice trembling. "And why me?"

I leaned back, falling into the seat in a dramatic slump, letting out a breath. "Because Sarah must learn her place. And I must make her lose everything she loves. But I cannot do it alone. I need someone who can gain her trust, someone she will trust." I kept my gaze on her. "That someone is you, Gabrielle."

She shook her head, her eyes traveling down to her hands. "What do you want me to do?"

My smile widened. "Good girl."