Chapter 24 – Ex Defends Her
The mansion's sunlit courtyard was buzzing with energy, cameras capturing every laugh, stumble, and awkward flirtation with the precision of a hawk. Contestants milled about in pairs and groups, preparing for the day's main challenge: a "trust and teamwork" relay designed to push alliances, expose insecurities, and—most importantly for ratings—incite drama.
Alexis adjusted the strap of her vibrant red dress, trying to anchor herself in the moment. Her pulse beat a steady rhythm of nerves and anticipation. She had promised herself she wouldn't let anything shake her today—but the moment she caught sight of Vanessa, preening in the corner with that self-satisfied smirk, she knew the day would be anything but simple.
Vanessa was already plotting, of that Alexis was certain. Her eyes scanned the contestants, calculating the perfect opportunity for humiliation, manipulation, or whispered poison. Alexis's stomach twisted at the thought, but she shoved the feeling down and focused on the task at hand.
Her attention shifted to the other side of the courtyard—there he was. Dante. Leaning casually against the fountain, his expression calm yet observant, surveying the group with that effortless charisma that had once made Alexis weak in the knees. He caught her gaze, and for a fraction of a second, something unspoken passed between them. A shared history, an understanding, a tension that neither the cameras nor the competitive chaos could diminish.
Alexis shook her head slightly, trying to redirect herself. Focus. Control the game. Don't let him see anything.
But as Vanessa sauntered closer, gliding with that irritatingly poised confidence, Alexis's concentration faltered. Vanessa had clearly set her sights on making Alexis the day's public target, and from the glint in her eyes, Alexis knew she wouldn't stop until she succeeded.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the host's voice boomed, breaking through Alexis's spiraling thoughts. "Today's challenge is simple: each pair will navigate the obstacle course while balancing a tray of drinks. Drop anything, and points are lost. Work together, but remember—trust is the key."
Alexis's stomach dropped. Simple on paper, terrifying in practice. Balancing, navigating, competing—under the scrutiny of cameras, of contestants, and of the live-streaming audience—was always a delicate act. Especially when Vanessa had already decided she was going to turn Alexis into the star of her little drama.
Before Alexis could fully brace herself, Vanessa stepped forward, mock-sweet grin plastered on her face. "Oh, Alexis, I hope you're ready," she cooed, her voice laced with venom. "Wouldn't want you to trip in front of everyone. That would be… embarrassing."
Alexis clenched her jaw, but before she could fire back with a biting retort, Dante appeared beside her. No words—just a presence so solid it made her chest ache with a mix of relief and longing. His hand brushed hers briefly, not intentionally romantic, just grounding, but the effect was catastrophic for her self-control. She swallowed hard and forced herself to stand tall.
Vanessa gave a small laugh, but it was cut short as the host assigned pairs. Alexis was unexpectedly partnered with Jenna, her earlier rival and now a contestant who thrived on dramatic chaos. Perfect. Just perfect.
"Try not to ruin everything, Alexis," Vanessa murmured, loud enough for the nearby cameras to catch.
Alexis froze, heat rising to her cheeks, and the words came faster than she could stop them. "Or what? You'll post it online yourself?" she shot back, teeth grit tight, nerves betraying the composed facade she tried to maintain.
Vanessa's smirk widened, as if she had just won some private victory. "Something like that," she said, voice low and sweet.
The challenge began, trays of drinks precariously balanced, contestants dashing toward obstacles. Alexis and Jenna moved in sync initially, but as always, Vanessa's eyes were everywhere, waiting for the slightest misstep. And sure enough, just when Alexis rounded a corner, balancing a tray of sparkling water and juice, Jenna—a little too eager to impress—nudged her.
The tray tilted.
Time slowed. Glasses teetered, liquid threatened to spill, and the cameras zoomed in, capturing the impending disaster with cinematic precision.
Alexis's heart leaped into her throat, but before anything catastrophic could happen, a strong hand steadied hers. Dante.
"Careful," he murmured, voice low but edged with that protective undertone she had always loved. His fingers brushed hers as he adjusted the tray, and Alexis could feel her pulse hammering—not from the near-accident, but from the proximity, the warmth, the undeniable reassurance.
Her cheeks flushed, and she tried to focus on the challenge, on the game, on anything besides him. But every time their eyes met, a spark shot straight to her chest.
Vanessa's triumphant smirk faltered slightly as she realized the sabotage she had anticipated wasn't going to happen—not on Dante's watch. And that's when Alexis felt the shift. She didn't need to fight Vanessa alone; Dante was there. He had chosen her, in this small but meaningful moment, to protect her from humiliation.
As they crossed the final obstacle, the audience erupted in cheers—partly for the successful completion of the course, partly because the cameras had caught the near-accident and the intimate proximity between Alexis and Dante. A whispering wave of excitement pulsed through the live feed, viewers picking up on the chemistry that had been simmering for weeks.
After the challenge, Alexis slumped onto a nearby bench, chest heaving and adrenaline still coursing through her veins. Dante slid into the seat beside her, his shoulder brushing hers lightly. "You okay?" he asked, casual but with an intensity in his eyes that made her catch her breath.
"I… yeah," she said, forcing a shaky smile. "Thanks to you."
"You're welcome," he replied simply, but the emphasis on the words was enough to make her stomach twist. Not because of the literal thanks, but because she knew it was more than that. He meant it. He had chosen to step in, to shield her. And that choice spoke louder than any words could.
Alexis exhaled slowly, letting herself lean into the moment, just slightly. The lingering warmth of his presence settled over her like a blanket, a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded them. She felt her defenses weakening, the walls she had spent years building around her heart crumbling with every shared glance, every subtle touch.
"You know," Dante said, breaking the comfortable silence, "I think Vanessa underestimated you. Or maybe she just didn't expect me to have your back."
Alexis laughed softly, a genuine sound that felt foreign and freeing. "I think she expected me to fall flat on my face, and me too," she admitted. "Guess she didn't count on you being here."
He smirked, a playful glint in his eye. "I've always had a knack for showing up at the right moment."
"And making me feel like maybe I'm not completely hopeless," Alexis added, her voice teasing but tinged with honesty.
Their laughter intertwined, light and effortless, cutting through the tension that had clung to the courtyard for the past hour. For once, the world felt slightly softer, slightly more forgiving. And for once, she allowed herself to feel like more than just a contestant, more than just a "pick-me" girl, more than just the sum of mistakes, insecurities, and public perception.
Dante's gaze lingered on her, and Alexis caught herself hoping he wouldn't look away. Not just because of the chemistry, the attraction, or the shared history—but because in that moment, in that shared laughter, she felt seen. Truly seen, beyond the cameras, the sabotage, and the audience's ever-watchful eyes.
"I…" she started, unsure how to articulate the swirl of emotions, the gratitude, the longing, the fluttering anxiety in her chest. "I… appreciate you. For this. For everything."
Dante's hand found hers again, fingers brushing softly. "You don't have to thank me," he said, low and earnest. "Just… let me be here, okay?"
Alexis nodded, heart thrumming in her chest. "Okay."
The moment stretched, suspended in a quiet bubble amid the chaos of the courtyard, the contestants, the cameras, the social media frenzy. For the first time since arriving on the show, Alexis allowed herself to stop pretending, to stop performing, to simply be. And in doing so, she realized just how much she had been starving for this—not the fame, the drama, the manipulation—but connection. Authentic, unguarded, and undeniable.
Even as Vanessa watched from across the courtyard, undoubtedly plotting her next move, Alexis felt a flicker of defiance ignite in her chest. She had someone in her corner now—someone who believed in her even when she doubted herself. And that, she realized, was far more powerful than any scheme, any challenge, or any public humiliation.
As the cameras panned across the courtyard, capturing the fleeting intimacy between her and Dante, Alexis allowed herself a small, victorious smile. The audience might not know the whole story, the critics might not understand, and Vanessa might still be scheming—but for this brief, precious moment, she felt untouchable. Protected, seen, and—most dangerously of all—alive to possibilities she had long buried.
And as Dante's hand lingered over hers, subtle and protective, Alexis realized that the game might still be on, but she had just gained something that no challenge could take away: him.
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