The desperate Lovers

Chapter 23: Whispers of Doubt and Flames of Love

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast golden hues across the room, illuminating Alexander's chiseled features as he lay beside Isabella. His fingers traced gentle circles on her bare back, a silent reassurance of the love they had just shared. But even as her body lay against his, her mind was restless, tangled in the threads of doubt left behind by Victoria's words.

Alexander sensed it—he always did. His touch stilled, and he lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Talk to me," he murmured, his voice deep and soothing.

Isabella hesitated. She wanted to trust him completely, to push Victoria's voice out of her mind. But the fear lingered. What if she was here to take him away?

"I just…" She took a deep breath. "I keep thinking about what she said. About your past with her."

Alexander exhaled sharply, shifting to lean on his elbow. "Isabella, I told you—Victoria means nothing to me anymore."

"I know," she whispered, tracing the contours of his chest absentmindedly. "But she doesn't seem to believe that."

His jaw clenched. "That's not our problem. Whatever she's after, it won't change anything between us."

She wanted to believe him. She truly did. But Victoria's confidence, the way she spoke as if she knew something Isabella didn't—it gnawed at her.

"She sounded so sure," Isabella admitted. "Like she knew she still had a place in your life."

A dark chuckle escaped Alexander's lips. "Victoria has always been delusional." His fingers brushed through Isabella's hair. "I made the mistake of loving her once, Isabella. But she never truly loved me. She loved the power, the control. And when she found something—or someone—better, she didn't hesitate to throw me aside."

His voice was calm, but she could hear the buried pain beneath it.

"I walked away from that chapter of my life without looking back," he continued. "And then I met you. You changed everything."

She looked up at him, her heart swelling.

"You are the only woman I want. The only one I will ever love." His hand cupped her cheek, his eyes holding nothing but truth. "Do you trust me?"

She searched his gaze, and in that moment, every fear, every whisper of doubt began to fade.

"Yes," she breathed. "I trust you."

His lips curled into a slow, devastating smile. "Good."

And then he kissed her, pouring every unspoken word, every promise, into that single touch.

---

The Unwelcome Invitation

The next morning, Isabella woke up to the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of the ocean waves outside. Alexander was already up, standing by the balcony in nothing but a pair of loose pajama pants.

She admired him for a moment—the way the sunlight kissed his tanned skin, the strength in his broad shoulders, the quiet confidence in his stance.

This man is mine.

As if sensing her gaze, Alexander turned, his lips curling into a smirk. "Like what you see?"

She rolled her eyes, laughing as she stretched lazily. "Maybe."

He walked over, handing her a cup of coffee before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I could get used to waking up like this every morning."

"Me too," she admitted, taking a sip.

But just as the moment settled into something peaceful, Alexander's phone buzzed on the nightstand.

His expression darkened the moment he saw the screen.

Isabella tensed. "Is it her?"

He exhaled sharply. "Yes."

Her heart clenched. "Are you going to answer?"

Alexander hesitated, then nodded. "I need to end this once and for all."

He pressed the speaker button, and Victoria's voice came through—smooth, confident, and laced with amusement.

"Darling, I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."

Alexander's expression remained cold. "What do you want, Victoria?"

She laughed softly. "So direct. You always were impatient." There was a pause before she continued. "I think it's time we had a proper conversation. Face to face."

"There's nothing to discuss," Alexander said firmly.

"Oh, but there is," she countered. "Unless, of course, you'd rather I share our little secrets with Isabella instead."

Isabella stiffened beside him.

Alexander's grip on the phone tightened. "You don't have any secrets, Victoria."

"Are you sure about that?" she teased. "Why don't we meet and find out?"

Silence stretched between them. Then, finally, Alexander sighed. "Fine. But this will be the last time."

"Wonderful," Victoria purred. "I'll see you tonight."

The call ended, leaving the room heavy with tension.

Isabella swallowed hard. "What does she mean by 'secrets'?"

Alexander turned to her, his expression unreadable. "I don't know. But I'm going to find out."

A sharp pang of unease settled in Isabella's stomach.

Something told her that whatever Victoria was hiding… it had the power to change everything.

To be continued…