CHAPTER 43 — All the Things She Shouldn’t Feel

As soon as Nova closed the door behind her, Alex sat frozen at the edge of her bed, her thoughts a mess of tension and tight, tangled threads. She hated fighting with her mother, but it was impossible not to when everything felt like it was spiraling out of her control.

Still, the last thing Nova had said stayed with her—you need to let go of Michael—and try as she might, Alex couldn’t.

But then another name flashed through her mind.

Zade.

With a sharp inhale, she grabbed her phone and typed out a short message.

Alex: Did you know about the gala?

The reply came instantly.

Zade: Yes.

That one word made her blood simmer.

She stared at the screen, jaw tightening. Of course he did. Of course he knew before she did. Zade always seemed to know everything. Her number. Her first case. Her schedule. Her address. She didn’t know whether it was genius or stalking anymore.

Alex: Meet me outside. Now.

She didn’t wait for an answer. She stormed down the elevator and stepped out onto the rooftop garden of her penthouse tower, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The cold air bit into her skin, but it only made her anger burn hotter.

Thirty minutes later, she heard footsteps behind her.

“Impatient, aren't you?” Zade’s voice was calm, too calm, as he approached from the shadows. No suit this time—just a black turtleneck and dark slacks, hands in his pockets, looking like he’d stepped off the cover of a noir film.

Alex turned on him instantly.

“Why the hell do you know more about my life than I do?” she snapped.

Zade blinked slowly. “Is this about the gala?”

“This is about everything,” she said sharply. “My number. My address. My first company case. You even interrupted the meeting without anyone questioning you. Now you know about a major company event before I do.”

“I’m a partner at Steel,” he said smoothly. “Have been for years. I was informed about the gala the moment the sponsorship contract was finalized.”

“And what am I? A guest in my own legacy?” Alex stepped closer, her fists clenched. “I'm the heir, Zade. I’ve bled for this company—snuck into boardrooms, studied every deal, begged my parents for a chance. And you just waltz in and act like you own the place?”

Zade tilted his head, unbothered. “Because I’ve earned that place.”

His calmness only fueled her rage.

“And I haven’t?” she barked. “I’m literally doing everything they ask of me! I agreed to marry you, for God’s sake!”

That made him pause for half a second.

But when he spoke, his tone was steady.

“You don’t have the experience, Alex. Not yet. And no amount of anger changes that.” He took a step forward, his presence swallowing the space between them. “I’m not your enemy. I’m the person holding the company steady while you’re learning to walk.”

Her chest rose and fell with each shallow breath.

“I don’t want you holding anything for me.”

“Then don’t stumble.”

Alex swore under her breath, biting back the scream threatening to escape. “You’re so arrogant.”

Zade smirked. “You say that like it’s news.”

Then he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her fists shaking and her stomach a swirling storm of fury and humiliation.

***

The next morning, the ache hadn’t left her. But instead of stewing in her room, she met Brenda near campus to shop for something to wear to the gala.

Brenda greeted her with a soft hug and the promise of caffeine. “You need to get out of your head, babe. Today’s about dresses, shoes, and emotional recovery. Zade can go fall off a yacht.”

Alex smiled despite herself.

The two of them wandered through racks of gowns and boutiques, gathering bags faster than they could carry them. Brenda held up a pair of gold heels that looked like they’d been forged on the sun and wiggled her eyebrows. “These scream ‘Steel heiress who might stab someone if they step on her dress.’ Perfect, right?”

Alex chuckled, finally beginning to relax.

Until she looked up—and froze.

Across the marble floor of the mall, near a kiosk of overpriced watches, stood Michael.

His hair was a little messier than usual, his hoodie wrinkled, expression tired. He spotted her instantly. Brenda noticed too.

“Oh... crap,” Brenda whispered. “Do you want me to—”

“Give us a minute,” Alex said quietly.

Brenda nodded and disappeared into a store nearby.

Michael crossed the floor in a few quick strides. “Alex.”

Her pulse kicked up, a reflex.

“I didn’t mean what I said yesterday,” he said quickly. “I lost it. I was angry. Stupid.”

She didn’t reply.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Look, I just—Brenda told me about the engagement and I panicked. It felt like you just moved on. Like we meant nothing.”

“We didn’t,” she said quietly. “Mean nothing.”

Michael softened. “Then why? Why didn’t you tell me about the arrangement? We could’ve fought it together.”

Alex met his eyes. “Because I didn’t want to fight anymore.”

Silence stretched between them.

“I miss you,” Michael said, stepping closer. “I know you’re angry. I deserve it. But can we just... fix this?”

Alex thought of her mother’s warning. Of Zade’s infuriating calm. Of her first deal falling apart. Of her aching head and heart and all the pressure closing in from all sides.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I need time.”

Michael looked down, disappointed but not surprised.

“I’ll wait,” he said, then walked away.

She stood in the middle of the mall, surrounded by bags and echoes and the invisible weight of every decision she didn’t know how to make.