~Alexander's POV~
"Tell me, Mom, how would you feel if Dad did exactly what you're suggesting? If he went out tomorrow, started a life with another woman, and kept her hidden from you? Would you still call that a 'necessity' then?"
My mother flinched as if I had slapped her. Her face went pale, her lips trembling with indignation at the mere suggestion. "How dare you," she hissed, her voice low and sharp. "Your father and I have a sacred bond. That is entirely different."
"How is it different, Mom?" I pushed, my voice rising with every word. "Because you can produce heirs? Because you fit into the little box society built for you? You are sitting in my house, telling me to betray the man I love, the man I swore my life to, so that you can have a baby to show off to your friends."
"It's about the family legacy, Alexander! The company, the name."
"I don't care about the legacy if it costs me my soul," I snapped, standing up for the final time. "Alis is my husband. He is my family. If you can't accept that he is enough for me, then you aren't just disrespecting him, you're disrespecting me."
She stared at me, her eyes brimming with a mixture of shock and fury.
"Pack your things," I said coldly. "I'll have the driver ready by five. And take Clara with you. I don't want to see either of you in this house when I come down for dinner."
I didn't wait for her to cry or argue. I turned my back on her and started up the stairs, but her voice followed me like a lash, sharp and demanding. "You can refuse now, Alexander, but soon you will do as I say! You have to give me an heir because I gave you life! You owe me that!"
I didn't even turn to look at her. I kept walking, every step carrying me closer to the only person who mattered right now.
When I reached our bedroom, Alis was sitting on the edge of the bed, perfectly still. His posture was calm, but his expression was anything but cold, sharp, and dangerous. His eyes were locked on the door as if he'd been expecting me.
The moment our gazes met, the air thickened with unspoken tension. I knew that look all too well. He was waiting for me to tell him everything my mother had said, every single word.
Terrified of hurting him, I tried to lie, even though I knew I was terrible at it. "She... she was just talking about the company. Just business and some other things related to the firm."
Alis looked at me and let out a dry, hollow laugh. He stood up slowly, his eyes boring into mine. "You know you're a pathetic liar, Alex. You don't even know how to begin."
"Alis, really, she didn't say much beyond business and—"
"Enough," he snapped, cutting me off. He took a step closer, his voice dropping into a tone that chilled my blood. "Listen to me, Alexander. It's been almost seven years since I've been with you. I have never experienced anyone else. I have been yours and only yours."
He jabbed a finger hard against my chest, his eyes burning with a dangerous, desperate fire. "Understand this," he said coldly. "If you ever cheat even once, I'll cheat twice. I won't care whether I enjoy it or not. If your mother ever pushes you to that point, I'll cross that line without hesitation, and I'll make sure you watch. I'll record another man taking me, and I'll force you to watch me fuck someone else. I know you'll cry all night. And I also know you won't dare divorce me. So try me, Alex. Just try me."
I stood paralyzed, a cold wave of shock spreading through my chest. I had never seen this side of him, so cold, so ruthless, as if he would burn everything we had to the ground just to make me understand.
What frightened me wasn't his anger, but the depth of pain behind it, the kind that could twist love into something this cruel.
As he turned to walk away, I lunged forward and caught him from behind, pulling him firmly against my chest. I stayed quiet at first, letting the moment settle before I spoke.
I murmured into his neck, letting each word fall slowly. "My husband is a good man."
He didn't pull away, and I pressed a gentle kiss to his neck, hoping it would soothe him.
"You were meant for me," I said quietly. "This anger isn't the man I know. I can feel how much you're hurting, how overwhelmed you are. Everything around us is weighing on you, making you say things that don't come from your heart, making you speak from pain instead of love."
I felt him stiffen, but I didn't let go. I pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the side of his neck again, my lips trembling against him.
"Please," I said softly. "Don't repeat those words."
I paused, letting the silence settle between us before going on. "They hurt me more than you realize."
"I know you love me," I said, my voice shaking despite my effort to stay calm. "I know you love me so much, Alis. But hearing you speak to me like that… hearing those threats… it frightened me."
I paused, struggling to breathe past the ache in my chest.
"When did my soft husband start talking to me like this?"
"When did you become so harsh with me?"
My voice broke on the last words.
"Where is the softness I fell in love with?"
At my words, I felt his body begin to tremble. A sob broke from his throat.
"I'm not angry about what you said," I murmured, tightening my arms around him as his body shook. "I just… I hope you never feel the need to say something like that again." I swallowed, my voice softening. "I'm sorry I lied to you. I couldn't bring myself to repeat her words. I knew they'd set your anger loose, and I wanted to protect you, from that, from her, from the pain."
Alis turned in my arms, his face streaked with tears. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Alex," he sobbed, his voice breaking apart. "I don't know what came over me. I don't know why I said those things…" His words dissolved as his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"It's okay," I murmured, smoothing his hair as I pulled him into my shoulder. "I understand. I know you better than anyone. Please trust me, Alis. I'm doing everything I can to fix this. It may not feel like it right now, but I'm fighting for us. Please, honey… trust me."
He pulled back, tears spilling as he met my eyes. "I'm such a terrible husband," he cried, gripping my shirt like a lifeline. "I can't control it. I'm so sorry, Alex. When it comes to you, I can't think straight. I lose myself."
I looked at him and gently wiped the tears from his eyes with my thumbs. "You're not terrible," I said softly. "You're human, and you're hurting. I understand everything you're feeling."
I rested my forehead against his. "You might never be enough for everyone else, Alis. You might never be enough for my mother. But you are more than enough for me. You are everything to me. Okay."
Alis nodded weakly, his breathing starting to level out. I wrapped him in a warm, protective hug.
"Let's be kind to each other," I murmured against his ear. "Let's talk without hurting. You don't have to worry… I chose you because loving you means everything to me."
"I love you so much, Alis."
"I love you more," he whispered back, finally relaxing into my embrace.
We stayed like that for a long while, breathing in sync until the world finally steadied around us.
When we pulled apart, I didn't let him go. I cradled his face in my hands, my thumbs gently wiping away the last traces of tears. I leaned in and kissed him slowly, a lingering kiss meant to soothe every pain his heart had carried today.
I looked at him and asked, "Do you want me to take you out later, after my mom leaves?"
Alis blinked, a small, genuine spark of light returning to his gaze. He gave a soft, hopeful nod. "Yes. I'd like that."
"Good," I smiled, feeling my own heart lighten. "Where do you want to go? Anywhere you want, baby. You name it, and we're there."
Alis opened his mouth to answer, his expression thoughtful as he began to suggest a place, but he was cut off by the sharp, persistent vibration of my phone.
"One minute, honey," I said, reaching into my pocket.
I reached for my phone, and we both instinctively leaned in to look at the screen. The name flashing on the display made my breath hitch and Alis's eyes widen.
It was my father.