Chapter 30

ALEXANDER

She was stunning, as always, even after all these years and the chaos life had thrown at her. It wasn’t about the wealth she had at her disposal—it never had been. It was just her. The way she moved, the effortless grace in every step, the quiet fire in her eyes. Even in a crowded room, she commanded attention without trying.

And damn it if she didn’t know how to take my breath away.

If I had been even half as in love with her back then as I was now, I wouldn’t have let her go. I wouldn’t have let my pride and anger blind me. I would have gotten to the bottom of the accusations, demanded the truth, and given her a chance to tell her side. Instead, I’d thrown it all away—and for what? Lies, bitterness, and years I could never get back.

But tonight, even this perfect evening wasn’t safe from Eliza’s interference. Her poisonous presence was always just close enough to ruin things, like a shadow lurking in the corner of my vision. And then there was the