Chapter 4

I sat alone in the darkness of our penthouse, staring at the Manhattan skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city lights blurred through my tears, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that matched the chaos inside my heart. It had been hours since Alexander left me at the gala, hours of silence with no word about his return or Maya's safety.

The sound of the elevator doors sliding open broke through the stillness. Heavy footsteps stormed across the marble floor, growing louder until Alexander appeared in the doorway. His tie was gone, his tailored jacket rumpled, and his eyes—those eyes I…