Chapter 2
Alexander had come in from the cold outdoors, looking worn out and still wrapped in his coat. The chill had left a faint flush on his cheeks.
He flipped through the invitation card with a warm smile.
Looking at the cheap, rough-edged invitation card, Alexander let out a low chuckle.
Alexander said, "Have your standards really dropped this low?
"Even if you're not with me, you don't have to sell yourself short and settle for anyone."
"I'm not picking anyone," I whispered.
I held onto my coat, whispering.
"He's a friend from the orphanage. He's really smart and treats me well. He's broke right now but I believe he'll make it someday," I said softly.
Alexander flashed a nonchalant smile.
With a snap, he tore the invitation card in half right in front of me.
"Alexander!" Aunt Grace shouted, her voice a mix of shock and anger.
"What are you doing?" Aunt Grace demanded, her tone trembling with both surprise and anger.
Alexander ignored Aunt Grace's question and stared at me, his eyes cold and distant:
He said, "If you're leaving, then make it clean. Don't take a single thing with you.
"All the jewelry, clothes, the house my mother gifted you last year, and the shares, leave them all behind.
"If you want to go through hardship with another man, then don't let even a hint of the Ford Family stay on you. Got it?"
I'd seen this coming.
I nodded. "I know."
"If I'm not mistaken, that outfit you're wearing was bought by me," Alexander said, his voice icy.
He pointed lazily toward the door, not rushing at all.
"Take it all off and get out," he said coldly.
*****
My face went ghostly pale in an instant.
Aunt Grace tried to argue, jumping to her feet, but she wilted under Alexander's icy stare.
The maid, respectful but insistent, showed her to the door.
Aunt Grace's lips trembled as she turned to me, her eyes full of guilt.
She and Alexander had never been close.
To be exact, Alexander wasn't close to any of the family elders.
Now that Alexander was in charge, Aunt Grace was powerless against him. All she could do was repeat herself over and over.
"Don't be so harsh. If there's something wrong, let's talk it out," Aunt Grace pleaded.
Alexander gave a soft laugh.
He leaned back on the sofa, legs spread wide, and looked at me with a taunting smirk.
Alexander asked, "So, why aren't you stripping?
"Weren't you so sure about leaving? What's got you hesitating now?
"Can't let go of the Ford Family's riches, or is it me you're hung up on?
" say it if you can't let go. Nobody's forcing you out."
Alexander's words caught in his throat.
I was already trembling as I stood up, my eyes shining with unshed tears, my fingers fumbling with the buttons of my shirt.
Piece by piece, my clothes slipped to the floor, gathering in a heap around my bare toes.
Alexander's expression grew even darker.
His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he let out a cold, derisive laugh.
"What a piece of work you are," he sneered.
He was genuinely pissed off.
He swiped the coffee service off the table, sending it crashing to the floor.
He strode over, grabbed the blanket from the sofa, and roughly wrapped me up in it.
He pointed at the door, roaring at me in anger.
"Get out!" he barked.