Chapter 134. A Battle Between Hearts

Xander’s POV

“You really think you can just… what? Nearly die and then brush it off like it’s nothing?”

The words tear out of me before I can stop them, bouncing off the walls with more force than I intended. I don’t care.

Alison’s lying in bed, her skin pale against the dark sheets, shadows clinging beneath her eyes. She looks fragile… too fragile. But even now, with barely enough strength to sit up, she’s staring at me like I’m the one being unreasonable.

“Xander, please…” Her voice is soft, strained, but it still digs under my skin.

I can’t sit. I can’t even stand still.

Instead, I pace the room, each step heavy, the frustration clawing at me like wildfire. My hands are fists at my sides, knuckles white, the air thick with everything I want to say but can’t figure out how to.

“Don’t please me, Alison,” I snap, stopping short of the bed. My heart’s racing too fast, chest tight like it’s about to crack open. “You almost died. Do you