Chapter 22: Cracks
Day 18 of 365
Elena woke to Alexander's voice drifting through the penthouse, not sharp business calls this time, but quieter. Almost... gentle?
She padded to her door and cracked it open.
Alexander sat at the dining table in sweatpants and a t-shirt, she'd never seen him in anything but suits. His laptop was open, but he was on the phone.
"No, Mom, I'm not discussing this now... Because it's my decision... She's not, Mom, listen…" He dragged a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "I married her. That's final. Either accept it or don't, but stop calling."
He hung up and sat there, shoulders tense, looking more human than Elena had ever seen him.
She should go back to her room, and pretend she hadn't heard anything. But something made her speak.
"Your mother doesn't approve?"
Alexander's head snapped up. For a moment, Elena saw genuine vulnerability before his walls slammed back up.
