Chapter 5
I took a deep breath when I unexpectedly ran into Alex on the plane. How did I end up meeting him here? He was Austin’s uncle and Raphael Herrera’s youngest son.
In the Herrera family, he was the one everyone feared-especially Austin.
Growing up, Alex was molded to be someone else entirely. When I first heard his name, I pictured a woman, but instead, I found this incredibly handsome guy-more stunning than most women I know.
Not only did he have looks, but he had also got this air of sophistication about him. At a young age, he was already seated as the president of Herrera Group.
Though he was only six years older than Austin, Austin had to call him uncle, and I was dating Austin, so I’d been doing the
same.
But now that Austin and I were officially done, it felt silly to still call him that.
“Did you and Austin have a fallout?” Alex asked, his voice lowered as he crossed his legs, a knowing smile on his face.
“No, it’s a breakup,” I said, trying to sound confident.
“A breakup?” He looked surprised, still smiling, but I could tell he didn’t buy it.
I mean, who could blame him? Being married to Austin, a rich young man from the Herrera family, seemed like a dream for
most women.
Besides, after six years together, how could I possibly just walk away from that? Back then, I was all-in on Austin.
Everyone thought I was just lucky to be with him, and honestly, if he’d revealed his true identity back in school, I might not have been his pick in the first place.
Now, I was nearing thirty with nothing to show for it-who was I to break up with him? Even Austin assumed I was head over heels for him and that suggesting a breakup was just me throwing a fit.
“Yeah,” I said, taking a deep breath to steady myself, trying my best to keep it cool.
“I saw your Instagram.” Alex looked up slowly, his voice still calm and soft.
It felt like the way an elder talked to a younger person, but the light in his eyes-slightly reminiscent of Austin’s-hit me with a mix of panic and awe.
I honestly hadn’t expected Alex to keep tabs on my Instagram, and I’d even forgotten he had an account. He rarely said much online, just a few holiday photos now and then. I seriously wondered if he even used it himself.
“As long as you’ve thought it through,” he added.
I was taken aback for a second, waiting for Alex to drop some words of shame or caution about being impulsive. Instead, he surprised me with his response.
The tension in my chest vanished instantly as I managed a shy smile and nodded silently.
I didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until the plane touched down and I watched Alex stand up and grab his luggage.
Although he wasn’t as intimidating as I had imagined, he still had this unshakeable aura that felt heavy.
1/3
Chapter 3
As I stepped out of the airport, a black Alphard suddenly pulled up right in front of me.
Before I could process it, the driver came over and said, “Ms. Parks, Mr. Herrera asked me to give you a ride.”
I opened my mouth to decline, but when the window rolled down and I saw that gorgeous face, words just vanished.
At that moment, it hit me-Austin’s fear of Alex was totally justified. The guy had such a strong presence that I felt too timid
to say no.
“Get in the car. It’s going to rain soon,” Alex said, glancing at me with that cool gaze.
1 found myself sliding into the car without a second thought. Sitting beside him, I quickly masked my emotions. My face was calm, but inside, I felt this strange unease.
After all, I had just broken up with Austin. Why would Alex bother giving me a ride? Was it just because of the rain? Or maybe he felt sorry for me?
Trying to figure it out was a lost cause, especially since Alex and I had only crossed paths a few times.
It was not like a guy like him would focus on someone like me. Maybe it was just pity, some kindness for someone who had just got out of a serious relationship. Honestly, I decided not to overthink it.
“Where to?” Alex’s calm voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
“The hospital,” I replied almost automatically, without thinking twice.
Honestly, I felt a bit awkward saying that, but I was already thankful that I kept my home address under wraps.
All of a sudden, it started pouring rain. It didn’t even register with me that it was actually raining.
Half an hour later, we pulled up outside the hospital. The driver got out, grabbed my luggage from the trunk, and strolled over with an umbrella in hand.
As I stepped out, I glanced back at Alex, who was sitting in the car with his eyes half-closed. I swallowed my thanks and left.
Taking my suitcase and turning my back to the sleek black car, I finally let out a long sigh of relief.
In my mind, I couldn’t shake the image of Alex’s striking profile. He was clearly in his early thirties but carried an air of maturity that made him seem older.
It was a shame, too, because, with a face like that, Alex would probably attract a lot of young admirers.
As I walked into the hospital and fished out my phone, a call came in from an unknown number. After a brief moment of hesitation, I hit the answer button.
“Laurel, what the heck is wrong with you? Do you even realize that Rosemary is sick because of you?” It was Amanda Herrera, Austin’s mother, and her angry voice echoed through the line.
I stood there for a second, stunned, gripping my suitcase tightly.
“Laurel, you need to come back right now and apologize to Rosemary. Clear things up online and say you posted that video by accident. We’ll let this slide!” Amanda demanded.
I instinctively ran my fingers over my throat, which still felt a bit sore.
I was relieved that I hadn’t gone through with getting a license with Austin.
2/3
Chapter 5
Honestly, I was grateful for the last three years of not marrying him. It took me a while to truly see how ridiculous I was being
Looking back on the past six years, it felt like I’d thrown a piece of my heart to the wolves.
I looked at her and said, “Mrs. Herrera, Austin and I are through. So, do me a favor and don’t bother me again.”
“Laurel, enough already! You’re really crossing the line here. My mom called you-so what the hell do you want from me?” Austin’s voice came through, sharp and frustrated.
