Chapter 0211 Ella POV I didnt know how long I cried as my mother rubbed my back and whispered comforting words , but it must have been a while .
By the time I managed to pull myself together we were already home .
My emotions still felt raw , but I excused myself and went upstairs to my room .
Sadness gave way to a simmering anger as 1 paced the floor Amanda and David had already taken so much from me , yet they had the audacity to continue .
That Amanda would publicly brag about her schemes not just to hurt me but to parade her actions for the world to see was not only infuriating but outright shameful .
My mother had been right , as she so often was .
None of this made logical sense unless Amanda and David believed they had already won .
On one hand , this was a small comfort it meant our plan to change the venue was still under wraps .
Christopher Slater was proving to be as trustworthy as Alexander had promised .

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But perception mattered , as much as I hated to admit it .
We couldnt let the public believe Id fallen victim to their manipulations again .
Resolute , I grabbed my phone and called Alexander .
Youve read it , he said as soon as he answered , his tone calm but edged with understanding .
I have , I replied , my voice tight with anger .
I think its time we send out our invitations .
I just picked them up from the printer this morning , Alexander said .
August is working on addressing the envelopes as we speak .
How soon can we expect people to receive them ? Ill get them in the post tonight and make sure theyre shipped priority , he assured me .
By tomorrow or the day after , people will start receiving them .
That will have to do , I said , frustration simmering beneath my words .
Going to the media would just make it seem like were publicly arguing with them .
We cant let them think were playing their game .
I agree , Alexander said , his voice calm but with an edge of concern .
} Now , tell me whats wrong , he added gently , almost as if he already knew something was off .
I dont know what you mean , I lied , trying to sound casual , but my voice gave me away .
I can hear it in your voice , he said softly .
Youve been crying .
Has this upset you too much ? I let out a shaky breath , collapsing onto my bed , my fingers instinctively reaching for the stuffed bunny Alexander had gifted to me .
I hugged it to my chest , seeking comfort in the familiar softness .
Its just … I wish they would leave me alone , I admitted , the weight of it finally spilling out .
I know its silly , especially after everything weve been doing , but it hurts that they wont stay out of my life .
There was a pause on the other end , and I could feel the shift in his tone , a softness I hadnt heard before .
I understand , Alexander said quietly , his words full of empathy .
Its frightening , how fixated they are on you .
I could feel his concern through the phone , like he was reaching out to me even though we werent in the same room .
I dont want you to worry about me , I said , my voice softer now , the edge of defensiveness slipping away .
I 1/3 Chapter 0211 know I should be stronger than this .
There was a long pause on the other end of the line , and when he spoke again , his voice was laced with understanding .
Strength doesnt come from denying your emotions , Alexander sald gently .
It comes from understanding them and acting accordingly .
After everything those two have done to you , its natural to feel as you do .
You arent facing this alone .
Just dont lose sight of that .
His words wrapped around me like a soft blanket , offering more comfort than I ever expected .
I had thought I was managing everything , but hearing him say those things made me realize how much I had been holding in .
I dont want you to feel like you have to carry all of this , too , I whispered , feeling vulnerable .
I dont mind carrying some of it , he replied quietly .
Id rather help you face this than see you struggle on your own .
I closed my eyes , clutching the bunny tighter as his words seeped into my heart .
And for the first time , I realized just how much I had come to rely on his strength , not just as a partner , but as someone who truly cared .
Thank you , I whispered , my voice thick with emotion .
I dont think I can thank you enough for just … being here .
Alexander POV Youre welcome , I replied softly .
Silence fell between us , but I didnt feel the need to break it .
I wasnt sure what more there was to say .
Ella was trying so hard to stay strong , to carry the weight of everything she was going through , but I knew she was struggling .
It angered me that people like Amanda and David could do this to her publicly humiliate her , bully her , and still act as if they were the ones in control .
And what upset me even more was that Ella was carrying all of it , hiding the depth of her pain behind her carefully constructed walls .
No one would guess from looking at her just how much she was suffering .
It wasnt just that she was upset , though it was the hurt in her voice .
That soft admission about wishing they would just leave her alone .
It hit me harder than I cared to admit .
All of my protective instincts were kicking in , urging me to do whatever it took to make sure she felt safe , supported , and protected from the people who had no idea what it meant to treat someone with decency .
But there was something else , something deeper that I couldnt ignore .
The way she had sounded when she whispered , Thank you .
It was more than gratitude it was a quiet acknowledgment of the bond we were beginning to form , despite the professional distance we had tried to keep .
I could feel it too , that undeniable connection .
I hadnt expected it.
I hadnt wanted it .
Yet , at every turn I caught myself encouraging it .
Love wasnt something I believed in .
Not anymore .
My past had shattered that belief long ago .
Id learned the hard way that love was fleeting , a cruel illusion that only led to disappointment and betrayal .
So I told myself , over and over , that I couldnt allow himself to feel more than I already did for Ella .
She deserved more than what I could offer .
This relationship was temporary .
Once I had what I wanted , we would part ways .
That was the agreement .
I wasnt the type of man to give her the stability that someone like her needed .
But despite all of that , despite the voice in my head reminding me of my painful history , there was still something stirring deep inside me whenever I thought about her .
Id tried to push it down , to ignore it , but it wouldnt go 2/3 Chapter 0211 away .
And I wasnt so confident that I wanted it to .