The VIP section of the auction lounge glittered with beautiful gold chandeliers.
Just as the host requested, I arrived an hour ago to submit the ‘extravagant items that Hamilton Enterprises will put on auction for kids fundraiser.
But as soon I stepped closer to the semi–private area marked “Elite Access Only” familiar voices sounded behind the small crack in the door.
Alexander and his childhood friends. The men I had cooked for, laughed with, served wine to like they were my own brothers laughed like wolves encircling a prey.
“Now that Stephanie’s back in the picture, you are finally free Alexander” one said amused.
Another chimed in curiously “But what are you going to do with Lavina now?
She is decent, sure, but come on. Between her and Stephanie? One is the Winslet family’s beloved heiress, and the other.” A chuckle. “Just a plain, awkward secretary who got lucky?”
The words sliced through the door and straight into my chest.
I remembered how Alexander had smiled that day…. introducing me as the humble girl from a poor village‘,claiming his friends disliked arrogance.
But now I knew.
He wasn’t protecting me.
He was hiding my identity so that his Stephanie could stay in spotlight.
“And infertile too, isn’t she?” someone added casually. “Didn’t she miscarry once and fail IVF procedures like four times? You will be an idiot to bet your legacy on a faulty woman like her.”
The silence that followed felt like a noose tightening around my throat. The words cut deeper than knife making it harder to breathe.
Alexander didn’t mind their words.
Instead, he spoke.
‘It is not Lavina’s fault, she has been a good placeholder.” he said at last, tone disturbingly calm ‘But in the end that is all she is. I cannot let a substitute carry my seed.”
The world tilted beneath my feet.
‘The first time I got Lavina pregnant was a pure mistake and I was unsure, but then she
miscarried.
was sad but truth to be told I never meant to have a child with her. Didn’t want to take any chances so I started giving her strong contraceptives secretly.
Only with that I didn’t mind her making a fuss about going through various fertility procedures <nowing that nothing will succeed in the end.”
My heart stilled.
And then it hit me.
The bitter tablets I used to gag on. The ones he insisted I swallow. The ones he claimed would keep me healthy.’
pm
Each time I went through the painful fertility process, Alexander gave me hope. hope that could be a mother knowing completely well that it was him at the end who would make me fee despair that was worse than death.
We will try again, when you’re stronger. He said each time embracing me tightly.
“Man, you knew how much your mother despised Lavina for having a faulty womb and you stil made her go through that because of Stephanie…at this point I feel pity for her.”
“I only married Lavina because my grandfather insisted.” Alexander continued, laughing bitterly “He loved Lavina’s purity. I didn’t even have a say?”
“Stephanie is everything I ever wanted.”
That was it.
That was the moment.
I turned and ran away. My tears blurred everything as I clutched my mouth hard to stop the sobs as I held storm in.
I couldn’t cry here. Not where the walls might echo it back.
I didn’t realize how long it was when my phone buzzed.
[ALEXANDER: Where are you? Get back up here. Hurry.]
I stared at the screen through tears, a bitter smile ghosting my lips.
Of course.
Even now, he thought he could summon me like a trained pet.
With my heart completely shattered I called the butler at Alexander’s home.
“Bring me all the items inside my safe now.”
Wiping off my tears I strode inside calmly as if nothing had transpired, as if my heart wasn’t split
in half.
The auction hall was filled with elite CEOs all over the city. Flashlights glimmered the moment Alexander arrived with Stephanie beside him.
“Lavina, you are here.” I looked at them without a word as the press swarmed around us.
“Mr. Hamilton!” a reporter yelled, shoving her mic over the velvet rope. “Is it true you made Miss Lavina resign from the company today?”
“Mr. Hamilton, is your personal assistant also your romantic partner? The rumors…are they
true?”
More microphones. More cameras flashing.
Stephanie’s hold on Alexander’s arm tightened as her eyes glared daggers at me.
But before Alexander could coldly deny any sort of connection I stepped in.
“There has been a misunderstanding.” I said coolly, my voice slicing through the chaos making everyone quieten down instantly. “There is absolutely no personal relationship between Mr. Hamilton and me.”
“Mr. Hamilton is the CEO of Hamilton Enterprises.” I said, voice unwavering. “And I was a company employee. Nothing more nothing less.
23
2:34 pm
1 can resign any time, and it is be no different than an intern walking out. Infact, I have almost finalized a deal with another business tycoon to work for them.” A gasp ran through the crow as Alexander froze in his place.
His jaw tensed as he looked at me, the faintest flicker of panic crossing his expression but he couldn’t interrupt without confirming the chaos.
One reporter, bolder than the rest, pushed forward with several photographs of a couple ring from Paris,
“Are you saying everything is false? That you didn’t got secretly married three years ago and that you are not his wife when the ring you never take off is a commissioned couple set of rings from the most famous designer in Paris the male version of which Mr.Alexander is still wearing now”
“But do you see me wearing that ring?” I said quietly before raising my fingers for everyone to see and no wedding ring was there.
The hush was suffocating.
Alexander took a step towards me, face unreadable remembering my smiling face as I vowed to never take off the ring the symbol of our unbreakable bond.
Then I reached into my bag, pulled out a glossy folder, and handed it to the nearest reporter. “Here’s a notarized statement from the Paris registrar. No record of marriage between Alexande Hamilton and Lavina, Infact I am already promised to another man.”
Gasps rippled through the press like electricity.
Alexander stepped forward, lips parting but the loud chime of the auction bell cut him off.
Perfect timing.
