Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 40: Christian

Christian

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It had been three long days since the wedding, and the silence between Alexandria and me felt like a rift that had opened up overnight. Each passing hour was a torment, punctuated only by the rare, fleeting glances she cast my way, each one filled with a mix of hurt and betrayal that pierced my heart.

I would do anything to win back her trust, even if it meant enduring her silent treatment for as long as it took. I knew I had to face the consequences of my actions, but the thought of her cold shoulder was almost unbearable. I wanted to reach out, to tell her how deeply I regretted my choices, but every time I opened my mouth, the words felt inadequate, hollow against the gravity of what I had done.

As I watched her move through our home with a heavy heart, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing her. The laughter that once filled our space had been replaced by an uncomfortable silence that echoed in my ears. I needed to find a way to reach her, to peel back the layers of hurt and show her that I was still here, still committed to making things right.

“Morning,” I greeted her as she walked past me, and the glare she shot in my direction felt like a sharp sting to my chest.

“Can you please talk? Just once, please?” I implored, desperation creeping into my voice.

“Talk about what?” she asked, her tone icy.

“About us,” I said, my heart racing.

“There’s nothing to talk about, and I asked you for space, so give me space,” she replied, her words cutting through me like a knife.

“I can’t anymore, Alexandria. I don’t like it that you’re not talking to me. I hate every single second of this,” I admitted, my frustration bubbling over.

“And you deserve much more than me not talking to you,” she said, her voice steady yet laced with pain.

Her words hung in the air between us, heavy with the weight of our unspoken feelings. I could feel the distance growing, the chasm of misunderstanding widening, but I refused to let it swallow us whole. I had to find a way to bridge that gap, to remind her of the love that still flickered beneath the hurt.

“Please,” I said, my voice softening as I took a step closer. “I would do anything.”

“Give me space,” she said, her tone final.

“Okay,” I replied, the word escaping my lips like a surrender.

I watched her walk away, a hollow ache settling in my chest. In moments like this, I wished for a time machine, longing to rewind and fix my mistakes. I craved the chance to find another way to get what I wanted—her trust, her love—without the pain that now stood between us.

As the door closed behind her, I felt the weight of my regrets pressing down, knowing that I had to confront the reality of what I had done. The silence that filled the room was deafening, a stark reminder of the love I was fighting to reclaim.

“Grace, can you pack a couple of things for me?” I said, my heart heavy with despair.

“Are you okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

“No,” I admitted, the word tumbling out in a breath.

“Come here, sweetie,” she said, pulling me in for a warm hug, her presence providing a brief solace amidst my turmoil.

“I don’t know what to do, Grace. She hates me,” I confessed, my voice tinged with despair.

“She doesn’t, I promise you,” she said, her soft hands cupping my cheeks as she searched my eyes for hope.

“I hope you’re right,” I replied, uncertainty gnawing at me.

While Grace went to pack a bag for me, I reflected on her words, clinging to the hope that Alexandria could forgive me. I couldn’t stand another day of her hatred, the thought of it gnawing at my soul.

“Matt, do you have a room for me at The O?” I asked him over the phone, my mind racing with thoughts of how to reach Alexandria.

“Yeah, why?” he asked, his tone curious.

“Nothing, just have the room ready in an hour,” I said before hanging up.

As I prepared to leave, I resolved to find a way to show Alexandria how much she meant to me, to remind her of the love that still burned brightly within me, despite the shadows of my mistakes. But for now, I'll give her as much time as she needs.