Immigrant girl

Chapter 29. Alex.

I was sitting on the steps of the gazebo in the garden, gripping the phone in my hands. Just two hours ago, she was sitting in this very gazebo, chatting carefree with my mom. How swiftly everything can change in just a couple of hours.

It was pitch dark outside, and I stared into the darkness, trying to find answers to the myriad questions in my mind. A fire was burning inside me. My chest was constricted with unbearable pain, as if someone were repeatedly thrusting a knife under my shoulder blade and turning it with unrestrained rage, attempting to kill me. But I couldn't die.

I should have told everyone to go to hell and run after her, catch up with her, hold her in my arms, and never let go. Pathetic coward and traitor, that's who I am, Alex. Family above all and everyone, right? Damn this so-called Family.

I could have justified myself by saying that a lot of responsibility indeed rested on my shoulders. I could have said that many lives depended on me, the safety of entire families. But I didn't want to justify myself. I wanted to live every second of this pain; I wanted to revel in my suffering. Because that's how I could still understand that I was alive.

Soft female hands gently descended on my shoulders. The scent of CHANEL wafted through the air. I jerked upright and turned around.

"Darling, I'm sorry if I startled you." Samantha charmingly smiled. I felt nauseous. "I wanted to let you know that the press release about our engagement is ready; you need to read it and give your approval."

"I couldn't care less, Samantha. Do as you see fit." I turned away, avoiding seeing the frozen smile on her face. A couple of hours ago, when Anya left the premises of this mansion and was free, I found myself in a cage. In a cage of commitments, a hostage to my own position, my own family. And our Family was in a precarious situation. On one side, the Mexicans breaking agreements, trying to seize parts of our territory, provoking our people; on the other side, the FBI demanding cooperation, demanding the fulfillment of agreements with them. We were weakened, and our enemies, like jackals, began to gather to bite us even more. I knew that marrying Sam would strengthen our position, cover our flanks and weaknesses. Our alliance could elevate us to a new level in the legal field. I couldn't refuse. My father outplayed me again.

"But Alex, it's important! I don't want you to have regrets about this later." I didn't need to look at her to understand that she pouted, feigning hurt.

"Sam, get used to the fact that our life won't be filled with love or any genuine interest from my side. You know very well that this marriage is nothing more than another business deal." I didn't care how much my words hurt her. I even wanted to inflict pain on her because I had no doubt that she was the instigator of all this. Her obsession with me scared me to the core, so I decided to explain to her from the very beginning how our life would be. "There will never be any relationship between us. Of course, in public, we'll portray a happy couple so that no one will ever suspect that between you and me, there's an abyss as vast as the Pacific Ocean." I noticed her biting her lower lip to hold back tears. Inside me, a malicious laughter arose. "You wanted our wedding? You'll get it. But I doubt you'll be pleased."

"Why are you doing this, Alex?" her voice was barely audible. "I love you."

"Don't tell me those words, Sam." I approached her. "You don't know what love is! Don't talk about things you don't know and don't understand! "The flame inside me flared up again. "If you loved me, you would never have treated me like this."

"And what about you, Alex? Do you know what love is?" anger tinged her voice. "I've been by your side all my life, taking care of you, coming to your aid when needed, covering up all your mistakes. In return, I got absolutely nothing. If you think you love that miserable waitress, I can assure you that you're mistaken." She took a step toward me. "Our marriage will be the happiest, not just in public. You'll want it yourself. So please, read this fucking press release!" Fire blazed in her eyes.