The silence in the room felt heavier than before.
Alexander didn't speak immediately.
He just stood there… watching me.
Like I was a puzzle he was slowly figuring out.
And that terrified me more than anything.
"We need to talk."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
My fingers tightened slightly around the edge of my robe.
"About what?" I asked, trying to sound normal.
Trying not to shake.
He took a step closer.
Then another.
Until the space between us disappeared.
My heart started racing again.
"About you."
My breath caught.
"I don't understand—"
"Don't lie."
The words cut through me instantly.
Sharp.
Direct.
Deadly.
His eyes locked onto mine, searching… digging… exposing.
"You've been nervous since the moment you saw me," he continued.
My chest tightened.
"That's not true—"
"Your hands shake," he said calmly.
"You avoid eye contact."
"You keep touching your stomach."
My heart skipped.
No…
No, no, no.
He noticed.
I forced a small laugh.
"You're overthinking."
But even I could hear it.
Weak.
Unconvincing.
Alexander's expression didn't change.
If anything…
It got colder.
Suddenly—
His hand shot out.
Grabbing my wrist.
Firm.
Unyielding.
I gasped.
"A-Alexander—"
He pulled me slightly closer, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Let me make something very clear," he said quietly.
The calmness in his voice was dangerous.
"I don't like secrets."
My pulse pounded loudly in my ears.
"And I hate being lied to."
"I'm not lying," I whispered quickly.
Another lie.
And we both knew it.
His grip tightened slightly.
Not enough to hurt.
But enough to warn.
"Good," he said.
Then suddenly—
He let go.
Just like that.
Like I meant nothing.
The sudden release made me stumble slightly.
But before I could recover—
He turned away.
Walking toward the window.
For a moment…
I thought it was over.
Then he spoke again.
Calm.
Cold.
Calculated.
"I'll give you one chance."
My breath caught.
"Tell me whatever you're hiding… now."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
My heart pounded so loudly it felt like it would expose me on its own.
Tell him.
Just tell him.
End this.
But I couldn't.
If I did…
Everything would fall apart.
My father.
This marriage.
My life.
"I have nothing to say," I whispered.
The moment the words left my lips—
I knew I had made a mistake.
A big one.
Because when I looked up—
Alexander was no longer calm.
Something dark had entered his eyes.
Something dangerous.
"Fine," he said quietly.
Too quietly.
Then he picked up his phone.
Dialed a number.
My heart dropped instantly.
"Start digging."
My breath stopped.
"I want everything about her," he continued.
His eyes slowly