Chapter 0255
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0255
Ella POV
The image of Alexander’s wedding photo from the original imeline flashed vividly in my mind. The beautiful woman standing beside him, her bright smile radiating joy was the same woman standing before me now–Fiona.
Fiona was talking, laughing, her voice warm and polite, just as it had been all along. But I couldn’t hear her words. All I could hear was the thunderous pounding of my own heartbeat, far too loud, far too fast.
Heat surged through me, boiling anger washing over every inch of my skin. My stomach twisted, and the realization struck like a blow–I was jealous. Intensely, painfully jealous.
Was Alexander waiting for his chance to marry Flona? Had my proposed deal been the only thing standing in his way? If that was true, why hadn’t he rejected the deal outright? The answer was obvious–he needed me to help him become king. Of course, he wouldn’t refuse.
But my thoughts refused to settle. There was nothing between us–or so I told myself. There wasn’t supposed to be anything real between Alexander and me. And yet…
The terms of our contract rose in my mind, as sharp as a blade. From the very beginning, Alexander had insisted we divorce as soon as the election was over.
At the time, it had made perfect sense. Now, doubt crept in insidious and unwelcome. Had he demanded the divorce so quickly because he wanted to be free to marry Fiona?
Was the reason he claimed he couldn’t fall for anyone because he already had?
“Are you alright?” Fiona asked, her voice tinged with concern. The softness in her tone cut through my swirling thoughts. “You look pale.”
“I’m feeling a bit faint,” I replied, trying to steady my voice. “I think I’d better call it a day.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Fiona said gently. “Nothing good comes from pushing yourself too hard.”
I laughed despite myself. She had no idea how rich her words were. “You’re right,” I said. “I think it’s best if I hit the showers and head home.”
“Okay,” she replied with a warm smile. “And tell Alexander I said hello.”
“Oh, I will,” I answered, forcing a lightness into my tone. “Don’t worry about that.”
Without another word, I turned and hurried toward the showers. As I cleaned up and changed, my mind remained fixed on Alexander’s face from the night before–his hesitation, the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
He was hiding something. Of course, he had every right to. But if he was in love with someone else, didn’t he owe it to me to be truthful? Before things between us became even more complicated?
By the time I was taking the elevator up to our apartment, my anger had cooled, leaving an ache of confusion in its place. I was being ridiculous. None of this was supposed to be real.
So what did I have to be jealous about? Alexander had been very clear–anything physical between us was casual, driven by mutual attraction, not deeper emotions.
Besides, I had no proof of anything between him and Fiona. It was entirely possible that in the original timeline, their relationship had only developed after the election. And I had to remember: I was years ahead of that timeline
now.
So many things were different. There was no reason to believe that Alexander and Fiona were destined to be
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Chapter 0259
together.
Surely, If they were fated, they would have acted on it already, it woedd cay buy later ve all–and wasn’t that the very reason for our marriage in the first phar
I sighed as I scanned my fingerprint to unlock the apartmet down. It didn’t help to think in circles the ride, the amount of logic could ease the sting I felt. Alexander hadn’t done anything wrong, either had fou bad you, my feelings were hurt.
It was absurd. Childish. I needed to get over it.
Perhaps my reaction was heightened because of last night. Because we’d crossed a line thudeft expected vs to cross. And there was no one to blame for that but myself, I wanted it, after all.
I walked inside, kicked off my shoes, and dropped my duffel bag near the closet, I’d clean it out and repack it later for my next trip to the gym. Right now, I didn’t have the energy to care.
Collapsing onto the couch, I ran my fingers through my hair. I needed to get my thoughts under conted. There was no reason to feel so worked up. Maybe it was because things seemed to be going so well lately.
After months of one crisis after another, my brain didn’t know how to switch off.
If that was the case, I needed to retrain myself. Constant vigilance, hyper–focus–it wasn’t heality. It would only lead me to make a mistake out of fear, something reckless that could ruin everything, And I couldn’t afford that
Not now.
“How was the gym?” Alexander’s voice startled me, and I turned to see him entering the room. His damp hair and the steaming coffee cup in his hand suggested he’d showered and shaken off his hangover.
“Fine,” I answered simply, keeping my tone neutral. “Fiona says hello.”
“Oh, you ran into her?” he asked, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.
“She goes to that gym, doesn’t she?” I replied, my voice carefully controlled.
“I guess,” Alexander said with a shrug. “Her schedule’s unpredictable with her work. It’s hard to keep track of where she spends her time.”
“But that is the kind of thing you’d keep track of, isn’t it?” The question slipped out before I could stop myself. Alexander gave me a strange look. “Not really,” he said. “I’ve just run into her there once or twice, so I know she has a membership. When she’s in the capital, that is.”
“Of course,
“I murmured, turning my gaze to the blank wall across the room.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, his voice cautious. “You seem upset.‘
“I’m not,” I replied too quickly.
“Okay.” He didn’t sound convinced, but he didn’t press. “I was just about to make lunch. Are you hungry?”
“Yes.”
Silence settled between us, tense and awkward. Finally, Alexander broke it. “I’ll let you know when it’s ready,” he said, walking toward the kitchen.
As he turned, he cast one more curious glance over his shoulder before disappearing from view.
I leaned forward, pressing my palms to my temples. My head throbbed. I hadn’t drunk enough water during my workout, and I’d barely eaten. Maybe that was why I felt so off.
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Chapter 0255
Maybe I was just a little hungover, after all. There had to be a logical reason for my behavior–this wasn’t like me. Fiona hadn’t done anything wrong. She hadn’t been rude or impolite. If anything, I was the one who had been cold. I needed to be more careful. I’d have to apologize to her somehow, make sure she didn’t think I’d faked feeling ill just to avoid her. The last thing I needed was for rumors to start, painting me as some crazy, possessive wife who wouldn’t let Alexander have female friends.
That must be it, I just wasn’t feeling well. Surely after I ate something I would feel more like myself and I would see that my jealousy was misplaced.
I couldn’t be jealous of Alexander because I knew that he wasn’t really mine and he never would be.
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