Chapter 0172 Chapter 0172 Alexander POV Ella lay quiet and still beside me , her breathing steady but her body tense .
Despite her insistence that this arrangement was fine , I knew she was uncomfortable .
I couldnt blame her this situation was awkward , to say the least .
As I lay there , the memory of that night crept into my mind unbidden and unwelcome .
The night David had poisoned her .
I clenched my jaw , pushing the thought away but it lingered , as it always did .
That night had been a mistake .

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Not because of my being there for her , but the way I handled it after .
E I should have known better than to let things escalate the way they had .
Ella had insisted she wanted me to stay , and Id been unable to resist .
Something about her vulnerability , her raw honesty , had shattered my resolve .
Walking away from her then had been impossible , and now regretted it not because of the moment itself , but because I couldnt stop thinking about it .
I couldnt stop imagining what it would be like to be with her again .
This time , without desperation , without the weight of danger hanging over us .
My attraction to Ella wasnt something I could ignore or push aside it was persistent , undeniable , and , at times , maddening .
I lay still in the dark , watching her back as she lay on her side .
Her breathing had softened , a sign that she might finally be asleep .
I waited , unwilling to disturb her .
This arrangement was never going to work for me , not because I didnt trust myself , but because I couldnt sleep beside anyone .
Not anymore .
Not since … I pushed that thought away too , focusing on the present .
After several minutes , I whispered her name into the darkness .
Ella .
No response .
She didnt stir , didnt make a sound .
Satisfied that she was asleep , I carefully slipped out from under the blankets , moving as quietly as I could .
I crossed the room with measured steps , avoiding the furniture in the dim light .
Reaching the recliner , I grabbed the quilt draped over the back and settled into the chair .
It wasnt comfortable , but comfort wasnt the point .
I wasnt expecting to sleep much tonight anyway .
I pulled the quilt over me , closed my eyes , and tried to relax .
Morning would come soon enough , and I needed to rest , even if only for a few hours .
Ella POV Having Alexander beside me felt far more comfortable and peaceful than I had imagined .
The steady warmth of him behind me was soothing , but it also left me hyper aware of his presence .
My heart seemed to beat louder in the quiet of the room , and no matter how I tried , sleep eluded me .
I closed my eyes and focused on steadying my breathing , hoping to lull myself into rest .
Even if I didnt fall asleep right away , at least calming my body might help me feel less restless .
I was hovering on the edge of consciousness , my mind finally beginning to quiet , when Alexander softly said my name .
My heart jumped at the sound , and I immediately wondered what he could possibly want at this time of night .
I hesitated , unsure if I should respond or pretend I hadnt heard him .
My indecision stretched too long , apparently , because Alexander shifted quietly , slipping out of the bed .
I listened , expecting to hear him head toward the bathroom , but instead , I heard the creak of the chair across the room as he sat down .
7/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0172 Confusion swirled through me , followed quickly by a pang of hurt I hadnt expected .
Why would he choose not to sleep beside me ? It was silly to feel this way I scolded myself silently for reading too much into his actions .
There could be a dozen practical reasons for him moving to the chair .
But logic didnt erase the sting .
I lay there , eyes open in the dark , my breathing steady but my thoughts anything but .
I told myself it didnt matter , that this arrangement was only temporary and it didnt mean anything , but I couldnt stop listening .