What He Really Wants

Chapter Twenty-one

EDNA

The early morning sun was already filtering through the window of the room I shared with Alex, its light landing right in my eyes and dragging me unwillingly from sleep. Not that I'd slept much. I'd spent most of the night tossing, turning, and crying. Now I had raccoon eyes to prove it.

I slipped on my robe and climbed out of bed, glancing at the clock. Eight o'clock.
Great. I had a lot to do today.

I needed to find a new apartment—fast. I couldn't go back to my old place; the moment I locked the door, Alex would show up with some grand speech. I needed somewhere he couldn't find.

I couldn't stand being under the same roof as him. I might end up killing him. Or worse.

In the bathroom, I stepped into the shower and turned it on full blast. Hot water poured down my back, scalding but useless against the cold feeling that had settled into my bones. I couldn't stop replaying everything that happened yesterday, and before I knew it, the tears were back—merging with the stream of water until I couldn't tell which was which.

When I finally stepped out, towel wrapped around me, my phone buzzed on the counter.
A message from Alex.

More apologies. More promises. More please don't leave.
Typical.
He must've left early to avoid actually facing me. Coward.

If it were that easy to forgive, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with. And he damn well wouldn't have kept lying when I was the one hurting.

⸻

✱✱✱

Chris had already taken Peter to school.

He never left without having breakfast with me. That was our thing.
But lately, I hadn't been there for him the way I should've. Guilt stabbed at my chest.

This was all Alex's fault.

When I leave this house, I'll make up for every lost moment.
I promise.

I walked onto the balcony, taking one last look at the house.

I wished I could regret all the time I spent here—maybe then it'd hurt less.
I felt a sharp prick at the back of my neck. I reached up instinctively—

And everything went black.

⸻

✱✱✱

I woke up cold, groggy, and tied to a chair.

The room was pitch dark except for a single lightbulb above my head. My limbs were numb, and panic clawed at my chest as I struggled against the ropes.

Wood scraped against wood.

"Good, you're awake."

That voice.
That smile.

Selena.

She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she watched me struggle.

"Let's make this easy, shall we?" she said smoothly, circling me like a predator. "I'm sure you remember me. But if you don't... I can gladly jog your memory."

"What do you want from me?" I snapped. I was too tired for her games.

"I want you dead," she said casually, like she was discussing the weather.

If I could reach her, I'd wrap my hands around her throat.
But I was stuck—helpless, seething.

"You see, Edna," she began pacing, "your being alive is... inconvenient. You've been nothing but a hiccup in my relationship with Alex, and I'm sick of it."

"You're insane," I said calmly, flexing my wrists as subtly as possible, testing the ropes.

"I know," she grinned. "And you made me that way. You slithered back into Alexander's life just when I'd finally pushed you out. And now... I'm here to help you stay out."

Pushed me out?
She caused all that drama at Alex's company four years ago?

Not surprising. She's always been obsessed.
And Alex... Alex pretended not to notice.

"Alex won't let this slide," I said.
He had to come for me.

She laughed. "You still don't get it, do you?"

She pulled up a chair and sat across from me, her eyes locked on mine.

"Alex doesn't know you're here. He thinks you're off house hunting. I even left him a cute little message to keep him calm. When he doesn't find you, he'll assume you ran away—too heartbroken to face him. And I'll be there, of course. To comfort him."

She leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper.

"And then we'll live happily ever after. Me, Alex... and that adorable son of yours."

Everything stopped.
Peter.

My mind went blank. I couldn't breathe.
No.
Not my baby.

I had to get out of here. I had to protect him.

⸻

ALEX

I tried calling Edna, but all I got was voicemail.

I just hoped she hadn't left yet.
I sent her a text—begging her to wait, to let us talk properly.

Earlier this morning, I'd gone to the office after getting a call. I hated leaving the house, but I had no choice.
The private investigators I hired had finally found something—evidence that could prove Selena was the mastermind behind the sabotage at my company four years ago.

I was overjoyed. Finally, a way to hold her accountable.

When I got home, I called out for Edna.
No answer.

I ran upstairs to the bedroom. The door was wide open.
So was the balcony.

Her bag and car keys were on the bed.

She didn't leave.
She couldn't have.

It hit me like a truck.

Selena.

⸻

Author's Note

Another heart-racing chapter! 🥵
Sorry again for the delay—we've been juggling life, work, and writer's block. But we're back in the zone!

What do you think Selena is planning next? Will Edna escape? Will Alex finally redeem himself? Let us know in the comments!

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We're heading toward the final stretch and we can't wait to share what's next! 🌟

Ciao! 💛