Second Chance Love: Begging My Ex

ATHENA

"You really don't have to do this with me." | turn to face Alex, who shockedthis morning and said he'd tag

along my justice seeking trip.

Luca must have snitched because he was there when | was making calls.

"Yes, | do. | promise | won't get in your way. Just think ofas part of your security team." He says, stepping

closer to me.

Which is crazy because | can't stand him. | sigh, but don't respond.

Looking around, I quickly walk forward before this gets awkward.

Ryan opens the front door like we own this place, and it's hilarious.

The police have had the Woods resident on lockdown, so I'm certain no maids are home.

Alex steps to the side, allowingto step in before closely followingbehind.

The marble floor is pristine under my heels as | step in. It smells of wealth, waxed wood, and expensive looking

paintings.

They killed a child.

And they're going to pay for it.

I'm taking everything they have.

Starting with this damn house.

The trial was two days ago, and Leah was found guilty on all charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment. |

made sure media houses had the trial published on every billboard | could get my hands on.

| wanted whatever politician they would run to, to understand who they would be crossing if they helped her.

Ariana stood next to her and told the court her client was guilty and ready to receive maximum punishment.

Which also blew up her law firm. A courageous woman who yerns for justice. She even stood in court for

someone who tried to harm her family. Instead of criticizing her, they cheered her own.

That shocked me, | must admit. It also maderealize how powerful the Kings family was. My son was never

going to suffer like | did. He was shielded, and that warmed my heart.

We barely take three steps in before a voice erupts from the end of the hallway.

"How dare you enter my house like a damn toilet?"

"Who do you think you are!"? Leah's mother spits.

She looks like the spitting image of her daughter. | ignore her and take a seat on one of her couches.

Alex joins me.

"So much temper, Mrs. Woods. One would think your life is falling apart or something." | begin.

"You already wrongfully accused my daughter and had her locked up! How dare you show your face!?" She grabs

a wine bottle she was drinking from and attempts to hitbut locks eyes with the cold statue next toand

thinks twice about it.

"Get out!" She spits.

"Wrongfully? And here | thought we were making progress." | unfold my leg and place the three envelopes |

cwith on the table.

"Sign them." | command.

My anger slowly started to build up. How dare she claim her daughter is innocent when they were in this

together?

I'll make sure they join her so they can have a reunion.

"You're crazy if you think-"

"I've always wondered why Leah looked so much like you and nothing like her father. You have pretty strong

genes, Mrs. Woods. | mean," | lean forward with a laugh, "It's almost like you made this baby with another man."

Her face reddens, and she loses it. She presses on a button, and men cswarming in. | can practically hear

her heart hammering in her chest. She reaches under the table and presses a small gold button.

Within seconds, the room floods with movement. Four large men in black rush in from the side door, their chests

puffed and eyes locked onlike I'm a threat that needs to be neutralized.

| barely blink.

For sodd reason, | just know Alex will protect me.

He rises slowly beside me.

Not rushed. Not alarmed.

Just calm.

Deadly calm.

He adjusts his cufflinks, then lifts his gaze, his Jade green eyes sharp like broken glass.

"Anyone who thinks they can lay a hand on her," he says, his voice so rough even | feel a shiver. "step forward. |

dare you."

The room stills.

The men hesitate, exchanging glances. One shifts on his feet, but none of them move forward. Not with Alex

standing there like a god of war in a tailored suit.

"Don't just stand there like fools! Get them!" She screams.

Alex smiles, "Oh con. Mrs. Woods. You know my reputation, isn't that why you had all my information drawn

for your daughter to study?"

She scoffs, "I did no such thing!"

| burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the tense room like a slap.

"Well, since you'll never admit to anything, let's proceed to why we are here..."

| rise from the couch and walk toward the table, tapping the three envelopes again.

"You can go ahead and sign over your properties now. All of them."

"Why would | do that? You greedy bastards! You took everything from my daughter. An animal shelter? You sick -"

"Careful how you finish that sentence." Alex warns.

"I'm not signing anything. Just killif you want to!"

"You really are scary. You took someone's marriage. Had him abandon his pregnant wife so he could care for a

child who wasn't even his. | see where Leah learned her tricks from."

Mrs. Woods slams her palm on the table, rattling the envelopes.

"You think you can bullyinto signing away everything | built? Do you think I'm scared of slittle girl with a

grudge? Nonsense! Yes, | did, so what? Haven't you done enough?"

| narrow my eyes.

Alex reaches out and gently touches my wrist not to holdback, just to remind