Chapter 184

DAHLIA

Why the fuck was it him?

The question screamed in my head as Alex walked into the café like he owned the air, the floor, the moment. He moved with infuriating calm, like this was exactly where he was meant to be. Like he hadn’t just shattered my sense of safety by existing in my line of sight.

I didn’t stand. I couldn’t. My legs had gone numb beneath the table.

Alex slid into the chair opposite me without asking, setting his phone neatly beside his cup as if this were a scheduled meeting between lovers. His gaze swept over me, slow and assessing.

“You look tired,” he said mildly. “Didn’t you rest as I asked?”

I stared at him, my heart pounding so violently it hurt. “Where are you here?”

Something flickered in his eyes.

Not surprise.

Satisfaction.

“Are you expecting somebody else?” he asked, obviously amused.

“Why are you here, Alex?” I repeated the question.

“Oh,” he said softly, almost kindly. “You don’t