The desperate Lovers

Chapter 25: Love Unshaken

The ride home was silent, but the air between them crackled with unspoken words. Isabella sat with her hands in her lap, her mind replaying every moment of their encounter with Victoria. The revelation of their past engagement had hit her like a storm, but what mattered more was Alexander's response—his unwavering choice of her.

Alexander kept glancing at her, his grip tight on the steering wheel. The moment they reached his penthouse, he cut the engine and turned to her.

"Isabella," he said softly, reaching for her hand. "Say something."

She let out a slow breath, meeting his gaze. "You should have told me."

"I know." He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "But I didn't want my past to cast shadows over what we have."

She searched his face. "Were you ever going to tell me?"

He hesitated, then shook his head. "I didn't think it mattered."

Isabella pulled her hand away, her chest tightening. "But it does matter, Alexander. Not because I doubt you, but because I want to know everything about the man I love."

His expression softened. "You're right. And I'm sorry." He reached for her again, his fingers brushing against hers. "I don't want any more secrets between us."

She studied him for a moment, then laced her fingers through his. "Then tell me now. Everything."

Alexander nodded, leading her inside.

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A Past That No Longer Matters

They settled onto the couch, the city lights twinkling outside as he began.

"My engagement to Victoria was never about love," Alexander admitted. "It was a business arrangement between our families. She knew that, and so did I. But somewhere along the way, she started believing we could be something more."

Isabella listened intently, her fingers resting against his.

"I never loved her," he continued, his gaze steady. "And when I refused to go through with the marriage, she hated me for it." He scoffed. "Not because she loved me—but because she didn't like losing."

Isabella's lips pressed together. "And now she's back to win?"

Alexander's jaw clenched. "It doesn't matter what she wants. Because I have you."

Something inside her eased at his words, but she still had one more question. "Why didn't you ever tell me about it before?"

Alexander sighed, cupping her cheek. "Because I was afraid you'd think I was just another man with a past full of broken promises."

She searched his gaze, seeing nothing but truth.

"I don't care about your past," she whispered. "I only care about us."

A slow, relieved smile spread across his lips. "Then that's all that matters."

His hand slipped to the nape of her neck, pulling her closer until his lips claimed hers in a deep, searing kiss. She melted into him, all doubts and fears dissolving in the warmth of his embrace.

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Love That Cannot Be Shaken

The kiss turned desperate, as if they were both trying to erase the night's shadows with their touch. Alexander pulled her onto his lap, his hands roaming her body as if he needed to remind himself that she was his.

"I love you," he murmured against her lips. "No one—not Victoria, not my past, nothing—will ever change that."

A soft gasp escaped her as his lips trailed down her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

"Say it," he whispered, his voice husky. "Say you're mine."

Isabella smiled against his touch, her fingers tangling in his hair. "I've always been yours."

With those words, Alexander lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom, where they lost themselves in each other—reaffirming, through every touch, every whispered promise, that their love was unshaken.

To be continued…