Chapter 0300
Ella POV
Alexander was looking at me curiously. I wasn’t sure how could explain to him what happened in the original election race. Honestly, my memories of that were spotty.
I wondered if the more time that passed in this timeline, the more I forgot from the first. It would make some sense. It was difficult for my mind to keep the two lives straight at times.
“The election was close,” I said, keeping my eyes on the whiskey rather than on Alexander. “But in the end, there was a scandal you couldn’t talk your way out of.”
“The women,” Alexander said thoughtfully: “That’s how you knew about them. That’s why you warned me ahead of time that they’d come forward with their crazy stories.”
“That’s true,” I said. “It’s also how I knew about the rumors surrounding the shopping center when it opened- and a number of other things. But that’s not what I’m talking about, This was something more.”
“How so?” Alexander asked, leaning forward with interest
“It’s hard to say,” I admitted, finally meeting his eyes. “And not because I’m trying to spare your feelings. Not all I memories from the original timeline are clear. There are things I honestly didn’t pay much attention to, so
trying to recall the details now is difficult.”
“You weren’t paying attention to my political downfall?” he teased.
I let out a short laugh. “No. At that point, I was too focused on my own role in the election–making sure I looked perfect, acted perfect, never stepped out of line or did anything to mess things up for David. I hardly had time to talk to anyone, let alone pay attention to the news.”
“What do you remember?” he asked.
“I remember that the scandal involved this beautiful blonde woman. I can almost picture her when I close my eyes she was truly stunning, like a supermodel. Her picture was everywhere. I think she even did interviews, but I don’t remember exactly what they were about. I don’t remember what turned the public against you and in favor of David.”
Alexander’s smile faltered, then disappeared entirely. Whatever I’d said had disturbed him.
“You know who I’m talking about, don’t you?” I asked. “You know the blonde.”
“I have an idea,” he admitted, his voice tight. “But it’s not something I care to talk about right now.”
I exhaled, suddenly uncertain. “I know this is a lot. I swear to you I’m not crazy.”
“I know you’re not,” he said quickly, reaching out to take my hand in his. “I believe every word you’ve said. I know you well enough by now to tell when you’re lying. And no matter how insane this seems–it’s not a lie.”
“You really believe me?” I asked, almost unable to accept his words.
“I do,” he said. “Though I’m going to need some time to let it all sink in. It’s a lot.”
“It is,” I agreed.
I felt nervous, despite the fact that telling him should have been the hardest part. It was only natural that he’d need time to think, to process. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had his investigators look into this somehow. I wouldn’t be offended.
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Chapter 300
I was just shocked he’d heard me out at all–and that he was even considering this could be real.
Alexander POV
Everything Ella had told me was crazy and yet, I found myself believing her completely. In a way, I was relieved. This explained so much about what had happened between is in the past year.
Suddenly, all of Ella’s odd behavior her cryptic little comments, her absolute certainty about certain matters- made perfect sense.
The fact that she had approached me at all made sense.
Whatever force had sent her back to try again must have put the idea of coming to me in her head somehow. Because, while her explanation was logical, I still couldn’t believe that she would have sought me out on her own.
There was no way she could have known we were fated. I had no idea. Then there was the fact that I had been incredibly suspicious of her when she first approached me
Some other force must have been at play, even if Ella didn’t realize it.
Which meant that whatever David had done in that timeline must have been truly horrific. Why else would the universe step in to try to correct it?
Ella was talking in circles, avoiding the details, and I knew it must be painful for her to discuss. But was burning. I wanted to know exactly what that bastard had put her through.
She said she could remember the pain.
my y curiosity
That was a loaded statement, one she had quickly moved away from. What pain had he caused her? What had he done to her?
I wanted to know. And yet, I could see how raw her emotions were. How difficult it was for her to talk about this.
Her tears reignited my hatred of David and I found myself feeling a renewed sense of urgency regarding his
capture.
And there was still a part of my mind rejecting all of this, searching for another explanation.
But this wasn’t some elaborate ruse. Some long con. I knew that. The information she had she had already used it to repair my reputation and to bring David down.
Why would she do all of that if this was some kind of a joke?
“The list of names you gave the king,” I said suddenly. “Are those people you knew from the original timeline?”
“They were David’s closest confidants. His generals,” she confirmed.
A sick feeling twisted in my stomach. I knew several of the people on that list. They were low–life scum. Dangerous psychopaths.
That was why it had thrown me off to see Ella write their names so quickly, so effortlessly.
The thought of her being anywhere near people like that filled me with a protective anger I hadn’t even known I was capable of.
If those were the kinds of people David kept in his inner circle, then he must have truly been a dangerous man- an unstable king.
Ella spoke of protecting people, of saving them. By keeping a man like that out of power, she had done that. She could step away from all of this now, knowing she had made a huge difference.
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 0300
But I knew Ella too well.
She wasn’t going to stop until this was seen through to its absolute end.
Whether that resulted in David being exiled or executed, I couldn’t say. That depended on the king and what his investigations revealed.
If I were honest with myself, I hoped he would put David to death. A man like that was too unstable. He wouldn’t stop, even if he were exiled to the Roguelands.
And we already knew he had allies there. They would only make things worse.
As much as I wanted to spare Ella’s feelings, there were still more questions I had to ask–about this wild story of hers. She had information that could still be useful, even if she didn’t realize it.
I would need to push.
Even though I didn’t want to hurt her.
Even though I didn’t want to drag up more painful memories.
I still didn’t have all the answers I needed.
