What He Really Wants

Chapter Twenty

EDNA

Back at home, I paced the room, trying to make sense of the chaos in my mind.
This can't be happening.
Alex doesn't know I was innocent. He couldn't do that to me. Not after everything we've been through.

Who am I kidding?

A bitter laugh slipped from my throat. Of course, Alex would do that to me. He's done worse.
How did I, in such a short time, forget all the shit Alexander Laurent put me through?

"Hey," I heard his voice behind me.

His hand brushed my back. I jolted away, putting as much distance between us as I could. His touch—once comforting—now made my skin crawl.

"Are you alright?" he asked, stepping toward me again.

I moved back, again.

"What's wrong, Edna?" he asked with that fake concern of his.

"Don't you fucking touch me," I said coldly, glaring at him.

I already knew the answer to the question burning inside me.
I just wanted to hear him say it. I wanted to know if he was truly the devil everyone warned me about.

"You knew I was innocent all along and didn't say a word... did you?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Please say no. Please say she lied. Please.

"Yes."

That was it. No emotion. No hesitation. Just... yes.

A hollow laugh escaped me again. Seems I was doing a lot of that today. I wiped the angry tears that blurred my vision and looked up at him.

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about what I found. But I swear, there's a logical explanation—"

"Yeah, I'd be surprised if there wasn't."

"I didn't want our relationship to be ruined. I just started bonding with my son, Edna. I was happy, which is new for me. I thought telling you would mean losing you."

"And so you decided to keep lying?" I snapped. "Not only that—you let Selena be the one to tell me. And all you cared about was your happiness? Give me a fucking break, Alex."

"Edna," he growled, like he had the right to be impatient.

"Don't say my name. You don't deserve that pleasure."

"I know you're angry. I get it. I'll give you space—take all the time you need." He turned to leave.

"Then by all means—leave," I said between clenched teeth. "I'll be out of this prison you call a home by tomorrow."

He didn't respond. Just walked out.

I felt my world spin. Everything had been going so great. And now, just like always, Alex ruined it with his selfishness.

Did he ever stop to think about how I'd been suffering all these years?
How everyone blamed me for something I didn't do?

And when he had the chance to give me closure—to give me peace—he kept it to himself.

He wanted marriage? A real family?
How pathetic of me to believe him.

He followed his script to the end.
Well played, Alexander Laurent. Well played.

I collapsed on the bed, sobbing.

My life had come crashing down again—by the hands of the very man who once built it.
Twice.
How ironic.
I never learn. And now... I don't even know if I can save myself.

⸻

ALEX

I didn't know what to do.
I couldn't let Edna walk out of my life again.
Those years without her were hell. And now that I had her—and Peter—I truly believed we could be a family.

But now... everything was ruined.
Because of me.

I reached into my blazer pocket and pulled out my phone. I dialed a number.

"Hello," came a cheery voice on the other end.

"Selena," I said, tone ice cold. "What did you do? And how did you know about everything?"

"How do you think?" she replied, voice thick with venom.

It all clicked in that moment.
Everything.

Selling out my company. Breaking me and Edna apart.
It was her.
And I let it happen.

"I loved you, Alex. I showed you my love in every way, but all you did was throw me aside for that simpleton lover of yours," she spat.

"Selena, that's not love. That's obsession."

"Call it whatever you want, pretty boy. But I do love you. Forget about her. We can still have a family."

"You're insane. And you'll pay for trying to destroy my life."

"Oh, Alexander," she purred. Her voice sent a chill down my spine—I felt disgusted I'd ever touched her.

"You have no proof I did anything to you or your company. So instead of wasting your time, how about you forget your precious Edna and—"

"Don't say her name." I cut her off, voice low with fury. "You disgust me, Selena."

Click.
She hung up.

"ARRRRRGHH!" I roared, hurling the phone at the wall. It shattered into pieces.

I needed proof. I needed something that could expose Selena before she hurt Edna again.
I couldn't lose her. Not this time.

I opened the door quietly and peeked into the room.
Edna was asleep, curled on the bed. I grabbed a spare blanket and went to sleep in the other bedroom.

I needed to give her space.

But one thing I knew for sure—
Edna wasn't walking out of my life again.
Not without a fight.

⸻

Author's Note

Hey loves,
We know this chapter took a while—and we're so sorry! Between writer's block and our busy schedules, we've been stretched, but we're back. 💛

Let us know your thoughts and expectations—because we're gradually approaching the end! 😭
Do you think Alex deserves forgiveness? Should Edna stay gone? What do you want to happen with Selena?

P.S: Don't forget to vote ⭐️, comment, and share to show us some love.
Ciao!