HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 43

Xander's POV

I exhale as I lean into my seat, my eyes surveying a copy of my father's will, and my inheritance on the screen of my laptop. I am yet to find anything I can work my way around. Maybe Costello knows it and that's why he hasn't been answering my calls.

Even though I have managed to alleviate some of Alexa's fear, I know she is still worried about not fulfilling her end of the deal. What she doesn't know is I won't let her go whether or not she fulfills it or not.

The realization stuns me a bit and it has taken me a few days to work my head around. I want her with me. I don't want her ever leaving. I never want her to feel distressed. And certainly not because she can't give me a heir.

I don't know what my father was thinking when he decided to make such an obnoxious rule like this bit it's giving me a headache just thinking about it. I don't know why he assumed that I will never get married.

Eva.

Of course, it has to be Eva. Especially not with how quickly she took over my father's empire and built connections with the affluent over the years. She has people in the royals, industries and all over the world ready to do her bidding. The woman could charm whoever she wanted and she almost succeeded in charming me too.

My fingers massage my head where I can feel the onslaught of a coming headache. I have to find a way to work around the clause on the will otherwise, I will lose everything. Eva knows that which is why she has been quiet of late despite my theatrics to keep her out of the way.

I have to admit that I'm succeeding quite well with that. How else would I still be seated in my seat without consequences? Going after Eva Gold could cost me everything but I already burnt down the bridge a few weeks ago when I decided I was going to do this.

My phone starts to ring, interrupting my line of thoughts. I squint and reach for it on my desk. Sawyer is calling me on FaceTime and I smile, because the bastard almost never calls. After answering the call, it takes a few seconds before his face pops up on my screen.

“Hey, man.” He calls.

I squint my eyes and open them properly while glaring at him on my phone. Is that…He looks miserable.

“You look miserable, man.” I tell him. “What's going on with you?”

He scoffs, trying to downplay what I can see. Sawyer is the messiest person amongst us. If anything is wrong with him, it's easier to see it to because he is always a mess. And right now, he is a big mess.

“I'm anything but miserable,” he says.

I pass him a droll look of disbelief which makes hin sigh. “For once, can you just try to be convinced?” 

“Not when you are looking like that,” I tell him. “Besides, you called me. You knew I was going to notice once I saw you in that state. If you didn't want me to know, you could have done something about your appearance.” I add.

“Fuck you,” he groans, palming his face with his other hand.

I don't laugh. Instead, I watch him, knowing he has something to say.

“I broke things off with Calista,” he tells me.

“Wow,” I mutter. No wonder he is looking like that. “What happened?” I ask.

“Caught her cheating on me. Apparently, she's been fucking this dude while spending my money. I don't say anything to her. Two days ago, she came over to the house to do her dilly dally duties and pretend she wants my dick so I can give her more money or whatever she wants. And I throw it in her face. She goes from begging and apologizing to smashing my TV.” He tells me.