very corner of the city. Ella was now in the public eye, her every move scrutinized and dissected b

collapsed onto the sofa in her apartment. She didn't bother to change ou

ture of their engagement? Ella had started to realize that the closer she

exandro." She stared at it for a moment, wondering whether she was ready

ne, smooth yet guarded. "I need to see you. T

g feeling that something was off. "Wha

to my office tonight." His tone was firm, bu

t understand. Why no

" he insisted, his voice softening ju

tly, Ell

-

walls of his penthouse were pristine and polished, but now the air felt heavy with unspoken tension. Alexa

this?" Ella said, unable

s eyes full of a storm she hadn't seen bef

caught. "Wh

upposed to be a simple arrangement, but now-

wave of fear that washed over her.

regret deeply." His eyes darkened, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "I h

g cold. "Who? What do you me

sn't just to silence rumors. It was meant to protect you. I neve

he truth hit her like a wav

g clear in his eyes. "A deal with my past. A deal with peop

e one she'd known for years, was now hangin

e breaking. "I don't understan

didn't leave. "I don't know. Bu

h. She wasn't sure if she could trust him anymore-or if