The Promotion

Chapter Fifty-One

"Wait—what did you just say?" Alexander blurted out, emerging from the bathroom, towel slung low around his waist.

I met his reflection in the mirror, my fingers gripping the edge of the dresser as if it were the only thing keeping me steady. "Sarah and Calum," I said quietly. "They're together. All the secrecy, the distance... it was because she was hiding the fact that she's been seeing him."

Even saying the words felt unreal, like my mouth was betraying my mind before it had time to catch up.

Alexander froze mid-step.

For a moment, he just stared at me, his brows knitting together as the information settled. Then he shook his head slowly, disbelief etched across his face. "No. That can't be right."

"I wish it wasn't," I replied, my voice softer than I intended.

He sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his damp hair. "How could she do that to you? She was there when he broke your heart. She watched you fall apart. She warned you not to marry him. And now—now she's sleeping with him?"

Anger flared across his features, sharp and immediate. I could tell it wasn't just about Calum—it was about loyalty. About betrayal.

I stepped closer, placing myself between his knees, resting my hands on his shoulders. "I know how it looks," I said gently. "But I'm not angry. Not really."

He looked up at me, eyes dark and searching. "You don't have to pretend you're fine for me."

"I'm not pretending," I said honestly. "I'm just... confused. I don't know how I feel yet."

I climbed onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck and resting my forehead against his. Slowly, I felt the tension melt out of him, like heat dissipating after a storm.

"If they make each other happy," I murmured, "who am I to stand in the way of that?"

Alexander exhaled, his grip loosening around my waist. "I just hate the idea of you being hurt again."

"I won't be," I said, meeting his eyes. "Not when I have you."

His gaze softened instantly.

"I have the most caring, protective, ridiculously attractive fiancé," I added, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Whatever happens with Sarah and Calum... it's strange, yes. And it'll take time to adjust. But it doesn't define me. What matters is us."

He cupped my cheek, thumb brushing softly along my jaw. "You're everything to me."

"And you're my future," I whispered. "My engagement party. Our wedding. Walking down that aisle and becoming Mrs Pierce—that's where my heart is."

My lips found his again, this time with purpose—slow at first, deliberate, like I wanted him to feel every unspoken thought behind it. Alexander responded instantly, his hands tightening at my waist, fingers digging in just enough to send a shiver straight down my spine.

"Louisa..." he breathed against my mouth, the way he said my name always undoing me.

I shifted closer, pressing into him, and he groaned softly, the sound vibrating through my chest. His hands slid lower, confident, familiar, tracing the curve of my back like he was reminding himself that I was real—that I was his.

I tugged gently at his shirt, frustration creeping in when fabric separated us. He chuckled quietly against my lips, that low, dangerous laugh that always meant he was enjoying how worked up I was.

"Impatient," he murmured.

"Always with you," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned back, pulling me with him until the mattress dipped beneath our weight. The room felt smaller, warmer, like the air itself was charged. I straddled him instinctively, my hands braced on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under my palms—steady, strong, grounding.