Alexander, Release Me!

Evelyn’s heart hammered against her ribs.

She sprinted toward Alexander, a cold dread washing over her.

Her hands shot out, grabbing his arms to pull him upright.

"Alexander! Are you hurt?"

His fingers closed around her wrist like a steel trap.

A slow, triumphant smile spread across his face. His gaze was intense, unwavering. "Evelyn. I have you now."

She went rigid. The realization hit her like a physical blow. The fall was a ruse. A trick to lure her back.

A sharp breath hissed through her teeth. "You absolute bastard! How could you do that? Let me go!"

She twisted and pulled, putting all her strength into breaking free.

It was useless. His grip was immovable.

With a single, powerful tug, he dragged her against his chest.

The air left her lungs in a gasp.

He held her locked in his embrace, leaving no room for escape.

He was so close. The heat of his body seeped into hers. His familiar, clean scent was there, but it was buried under a cloying, expensive feminine perfume.

Her skin flushed with hot anger. A wave of sickness twisted her stomach. She planted her hands on his chest and shoved with all her might.

"Alexander, I said let me go!"

Her mind was a broken record, replaying the image on a loop: Alexander and Cassandra, wrapped in each other's arms.

He held her tighter, his voice a desperate rush against her ear. "Evelyn, please. It was a misunderstanding. There is nothing between Cassandra and me. We were talking, and she just… hugged me. I didn't expect it."

Her face was a cold, emotionless mask. His words sounded hollow. Absurd.

She had heard this script before.

From Julian.

He had begged just as desperately, sworn there was nothing between him and Isabella.

And on their wedding day, he had chosen Isabella without a backward glance.

"Alexander, I can't trust you," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You know my history. The things you're saying… they're the same words he used. I can't go through that again."

Tears welled in her eyes, blurring his face.

Alexander fell silent, his mind reeling.

He knew his mistake. He never should have allowed Cassandra to get so close.

He should have established boundaries from the moment she arrived.

Evelyn had been uneasy last night, and now his carelessness had shattered everything.

Guilt and frustration warred inside him. He pulled her even closer, refusing to relinquish his hold.

"Evelyn, believe me," he implored, his voice low and urgent. "I swear on my life, it will never happen again. From this moment on, no other woman exists for me. Only you."

The pressure of his arms was suffocating. His scent, now tainted, made her head spin. She couldn't think.

"Alexander, don't make me say it again! Release me!" she cried out, her voice trembling with raw fury.

"Not a chance. If I let go, you'll just run," he stated, his tone final and unyielding.

Rage, white-hot and blinding, consumed her. Gritting her teeth, she acted on pure instinct.

She leaned forward and sank her teeth into the hard muscle of his forearm.

He jerked, a low grunt of pain escaping him. His breath caught.

At first, it was a warning bite. When his arms didn't loosen, she bit down harder, determined to make him feel her pain.