Chapter 72
Alew minutes later
GRAVES VILLA
12:06 AM
I
Alexander brought me to his place. I didn’t have the strength to object. Besides, I have nowhere else to go.
A tear runs down my cheek, and others follow quickly. I’m overwhelmed with sadness. Alexander watches me, surprised, not knowing what to say. He seems out of his depth.
I’ve never cried in front of him.
I feel relieved knowing I’m no longer under Khalid’s control–and at the same time, it makes me sad. Sad to know my father never loved me. My only blood family was about to take my life. He’s always hated me–since I was born, he’s hated me.
“Why are you crying, doll?”
Those words make me sob harder. I hide my face in my hands so he won’t see me cry. I feel ashamed to appear this weak in front of him, but I desperately need to cry to feel better. I’m hurting on the outside–and even more inside.
“Can you leave me alone?”
I walk toward the bed, but Alexander grabs me firmly. I try to break free from his grip, but he only holds me tighter despite my
protests.
He turns me toward him and stares at me. Without warning, he wraps his arms around me in a gentle, comforting embrace. I sniff hard and hug him back.
“Stop crying.”
“You don’t understand! I lost everything in just one night. I lost my father, my reputation, and my honor! I lost everything. All my bearings! There’s nothing left! It’s like I never existed!”
“That’s bullshit. Family is bullshit. Believe me–you’re better off alone. You don’t need that crap. You’re going to rise from your ashes like a phoenix”
1 stifle a sob and bite my lip.
“I’m not as strong as you think.”
My voice sounds like a faint whisper.
“Wasn’t it you who threatened me in my own place with a gun? You also threatened me with a knife in prison, didn’t you? You also broke into a prison surrounded by dangerous criminals, right? I’ve got tons of examples like that.”
I don’t know what to say as he stares at me with his brown eyes. He gives me a reassuring smile that makes me want to believe the future will be better.
“Thank you… Thank you for coming.”
“I’m the only one allowed to bust your balls, doll. The rest–I’ll make them regret every one of your sufferings. No one has the right
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to break my little doll.”
He gives me a shy smile while my heart races. I gradually wipe away my tears, trying to hide my unease. He keeps staring at me.
“You should go to sleep.”
4:46 AM
I hear voices coming from the hallway. I sneak out of bed and press my ear to the door.
“That girl’s got no luck. She always ends up in insane messes.”
“You’re telling me.”
Alexander and Aymen.
“What are you planning to do with her? Kill her in her sleep?”
A gasp escapes me, but I pull myself together.
“Are you stupid or what? I’m not laying a finger on her, got it?”
“I’m joking, we got it–you’re not to touch your little doll.”
“Yeah, better for you. Besides, if you tried anything, she’d break you in half.”
“So what are you going to do with her? Keep her here like a prisoner?”
“I already know what I’m going to do with her. For now, she’s staying here with us. She’s not going anywhere–until all my plans are fully in place.”
The next day
GRAVES VILLA
12:36 p.m.
I get out of bed, staggering slightly, and head to the bathroom. I raise my eyebrows when I see clothes laid out on the edge of the sink along with a pair of black ankle boots.
How did he manage to enter my room without me hearing? Then again, I was so tired.
Where did he find women’s clothes? And those shoes? He couldn’t have bought them last night after the party, considering the time we got home.
I take off my underwear, which is all I have left. I step into the shower, turn on the water, and its touch immediately soothes me, as if I’m washing away all my sins.
Memories from the previous night resurface as the water runs down my body. It wasn’t a nightmare — Khalid really did disown me.
How did it get to this point of no return between us?
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Chapter 72
had to happen someday, didn’t it?
He must be cursing me with every fiber of his being and planning his revenge. He’ll probably try to fuel hatred toward me among rival gangs. He won’t have any trouble doing that.
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I feel empty inside. There’s nothing left tying me to this world except Maria, Mathieu, and Sam. I absolutely have to protect Maria before Khalid takes out his frustration on her. If anything happens to her, it will be like tearing out the last sliver of heart I have left.
There’s no more room for being noticed I have to stay under the radar. I’m already the target of Mister X, whose identity I still
don’t know.
Now I also have to be wary of Khalid, who won’t be satisfied with just humiliation.
And I haven’t forgotten the conversation between Alexander and Aymen last night. Alexander is not someone I can trust; he seems to have a plan’l know nothing about. I don’t know what role I play in it.
Once I’m ready, I step out of the bathroom and my eyes land on Alexander, sitting on the bed.
His eyes scan every part of my body – not a single curve escapes him. I remain indifferent.
“Thanks for the clothes.”
“You should thank Erika. They’re all hers. She’s also the one who left them in your bathroom.”
Erika spends a lot of time here. She must mean a lot to Aymen.
“Thanks for your help. I’ll pay you back one day.”
As I head toward the door, he grabs my wrist – gently, without squeezing.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I don’t know. I have to leave this villa.”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that? You have no money, no phone, no belongings – not even your ID.”
I’d forgotten all that crap, probably being burned by Khalid’s men right now. I can’t leave the country without papers or money — not even the city,
I didn’t bring a single weapon. I’m vulnerable.
“I need to leave and get to Maria before Khalid takes out his anger on her.”
Alexander stands up, a sly smile on his face, and walks toward the door, still holding my wrist.
“Come on, let’s go.”
I look at him in confusion.
“What do you mean? Where are you taking me?”
“We’re going back to your place to collect everything that’s yours.”
I expect him to say he’s joking – but he doesn’t.
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Chapter 72
“Tell me you’re joking!”
“You need all your girly crap, don’t you?”
“How can you even consider going back there when you beat up the master of the house?”
He shrugs.
“Just a minor detail.”
“You risk pissing Khalid off even more, and he could lose control!”
“You think I’m scared of that crazy old man?”
“I didn’t say that, but it’s better not to stoke the fire for no reason.”
“I’m going with or without you. I suggest you come along if you don’t want me to accidentally burn that villa to the ground.”
He smirks. I sigh at his recklessness.
Of course, he’s completely serious.
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