Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 41: Alexanderia

Alexandria

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Another morning without Christian. I had grown so used to waking up next to a warm body over the past year, but now, it felt like an empty void beside me—a stark reminder that I was sleeping next to a fucking liar. I rolled out of bed, the sheets feeling colder than usual, and decided to hit the gym. But halfway through my workout, I just gave up.

Nothing felt right anymore. Everything we used to do together—every shared laugh, every intimate moment—was tainted now. I hated every second of this new reality. To distract myself, I took an extra-long bubble bath, hoping the warmth would ease the tension in my chest before I got dressed.

“Morning,” I heard Grace say behind me. I turned around to see her standing there with her hands clasped behind her back, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

“Morning,” I replied, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression.

“I have something for you,” she said, revealing a single red rose. “Christian dropped this off and left again.”

My stomach twisted. “You can just throw it in the trash,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended.

“No, you can do it yourself—after you read the note,” she insisted, leaving the rose on the dresser, the vibrant color stark against the wood.

Reluctantly, I walked over and picked up the note that accompanied the rose. I didn’t want anything from this man. I didn’t want reminders of the love we once shared, not when it felt like a beautiful lie.

I unfolded the paper, my heart racing as I read the words scrawled in his familiar handwriting.

Dear Alexandria,

I know you must hate me right now, and I can’t blame you. I never wanted to hurt you, but I did, and I’m so sorry. I wish I could take back everything that happened, but I can’t. I will always love you, princess. I’ll give you all the time and space you need, even if it's a day, a week, a month, or years.

- Love, C. Calloway.

As I stared at the rose, its beauty seemed to mock me, a reminder of the love that felt so real yet turned out to be so false. I had to reclaim my peace, my happiness. I dropped the rose in the trash and left the note on the dresser.

I was meeting with Alyssa and Clinton for breakfast, so I didn't have breakfast at home. Diaz drove me, and as much as I wanted to ask him about Christian's whereabouts, I forced myself not to. I wouldn't just forget about him that easily. I loved the man.

“Mrs. Calloway, Mr. Calloway asked me to give this to you,” Diaz said, handing me another envelope.

“Thank you,” I said dryly and shoved the envelope in my bag.

As Diaz drove me to the café, the silence in the car was almost deafening. My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—love, betrayal, anger, and an aching loneliness that seemed to seep into my bones. I stared out the window, watching the world pass by in a blur, but all I could think about was Christian and the note he had left.

When we arrived at the café, I stepped out of the car, forcing myself to shake off the heaviness that clung to me. I had a breakfast meeting with Alyssa and Clinton, and I needed to put on a brave face. As I walked inside, the familiar aroma of coffee filled the air, but it did little to lift my spirits.

Alyssa waved from a corner table, her bright smile instantly fading when she saw my expression. “Hey, Alex! You okay?” she asked, concern etched across her features.