ELLA.

Lurgard’s words hit me harder than I expected.

So hard that for a brief moment, everything else blurred out, his voice, the room, even my own thoughts.

And before I could stop myself...my hand moved. The sharp sound of the slap echoed in the air, and only then did I realize what I had done.

My chest rose and fell unevenly, my fingers trembling slightly as I stared at him.

Why couldn’t he just speak nicely for once?

Was it so hard?

Did everything have to come out harsh... cold... dismissive?

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself, but the anger and fear swirling inside me refused to settle.

I might not have anywhere to go right now...but I meant every word I had said. I would rather sleep on the streets, or worse under a bridge, just anywhere than stay in a house filled with men who thought like this.

Men who could casually talk about getting rid of my child like it meant nothing.

Who knew what they were capable of?

What if one day I woke up and my child was gone... and I didn’t even realize how it happened?

The thought alone sent a chill down my spine.

No.

It was safer without them—much safer.

Lurgard didn’t say anything more. He just... left and walked out of the room like I meant nothing.

And just like that...I was left alone with the remaining two.

Lawrence and Leonard.

I exhaled slowly, exhaustion creeping into my bones as I avoided their gazes. Honestly, I wished they would just leave too.

"Theresa, you were too harsh on Lurgard just now," Lawrence said softly, stepping closer.

Before I could react, his hands wrapped around mine, his fingers gently caressing my skin as though trying to soothe me.

I rolled my eyes instantly because I wasn’t in the mood for this, not his soft tone, and definitely not his attempts to play peacekeeper or anything at all.

"We’ll talk about this once you are calmer," Leonard added, his voice more controlled, more distant, as he turned toward the door.

"There is nothing to talk about anymore, Alpha Leonard," I said firmly, my voice cutting through the air. "I’m leaving."

His steps halted for a brief second, I thought he might turn back...say something...argue.

But he didn’t, he just simply opened the door and walked out without uttering a word.

The silence he left behind felt heavier than any argument.

"Theresa, let me try talking to them," Lawrence said quietly, his hands finally leaving mine as he stepped back.

And then, just like that he followed after his brother.

The door shut behind him with a soft click and just like that, I was alone.

The room fell into a suffocating silence, so quiet... it almost felt loud.

My chest tightened as I stood there, unmoving, the weight of everything pressing down on me all at once.

I had barely begun to steady myself, barely managed to breathe through the suffocating silence that had taken over the room when the door suddenly burst open again.

The sound was sudden and volent, and it made my entire body jolt. But like those scenarios in a movie, he walked in.

The least person I did expected to see, the same person who had caused me to fall.

Alex.

I froze instantly.

Every muscle in my body locked in place as my eyes fixed on him, my heart beginning to pound unevenly against my chest.

"Ella... my love," he said softly, taking a slow step toward me.

That voice and that slutry tone. The same one he always used, the one that used to melt me so easily, the one that once made me feel safe... cherished.

"How are you doing now?" he asked, his expression shifting into something gentle, almost concerned.

For a split second, it almost felt almost familiar.

"Stay away from me!" I snapped, my voice rising sharply as I took a step back.

But Alex didn’t stop, because as always, he never did. Only now did I realize, he had never for once truly listened to me.

"Listen, baby... I’m so sorry," he continued, his face twisting into something pitiful, something that would have once made me soften.

"I was bewitched... forced," he added, pausing briefly as his eyes searched mine, as if trying to measure my reaction.

"Thomas threatened me with your life," he went on quickly. "So I had to do all that."

Before I could pull away, he reached for my hands, holding them gently, his thumbs brushing against my skin in a familiar, practiced motion.

"Can we not get a divorce?" he asked softly.

And I laughed, a hollow, disbelieving sound.

"Alex... do you take me for a fool?" I asked, raising my brows as I stared straight at him. "Did Thomas force you to be in bed with Eva?"

His expression faltered.

"That was..."

"That was what?" I cut in sharply, my voice rising. "I’m not stupid, Alex."

"It was staged, okay?" he said quickly, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I needed to make it believable to you," he added, letting out a deep breath like he was exhausted by the explanation.

"I love you, Ella," he said again, his voice softer now, more deliberate. "There’s no way I would do that on purpose."

I let out a short chuckle, shaking my head slightly. "How about the order to kill me?" I asked.

And the moment those words left my mouth, it wiped the expression off his face.

"That..."

"Shut up, Alex," I snapped, cutting him off completely."I don’t want to hear anymore." I took a step back, pulling my hands away from him. "Just get out."

But he didn’t move.

"No, Ella... I won’t," he said slowly, and then, there was that smile, that familiar, unsettling smirk spread across his lips. "It’s too late for that," he added, his eyes darkening slightly. "I’m taking you out of here now."

My breath hitched.

"What...?" I whispered, panic rising instantly in my chest.