Chapter One :Old Wounds

"Wow, mum! I'm in love with this place already!" Rachel exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she gazed out the car window.

"Good to hear, baby," Alexia replied, smiling warmly.

The luxurious car glided smoothly through the streets, carrying Alexia, Bryan, and Rachel in the backseat, while Churchill, Alexia's assistant, and the driver sat in front. They had just arrived in America, and Rachel was already enchanted with the new surroundings, though a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes, leaving behind old friends in London and starting anew.

The two families, the Bryans and the Lockes, awaited their arrival at Bryan's newly acquired building, a symbol of their fresh start. As they reunited, warm embraces and pleasantries were exchanged, followed by a cozy dinner together. Later, as they bid each other farewell, Rachel was led to her new room by Churchill, while Alexia and Bryan retired to their own space.

As they settled in, Bryan attempted to rekindle the romance, his eyes locked on Alexia with a loving gaze. He leaned in, his lips inches from hers, but Alexia turned away, her expression unyielding. Bryan's face fell, his eyes clouding with disappointment, as he realized his advances were rebuffed. The tension between them was palpable, a stark contrast to the warmth they had shared earlier with their families.

The next day, Bryan and Alexia embarked on a mission to enroll Rachel in school, and on their return, they decided to try out a restaurant they had spotted earlier. Alexia was engrossed in her phone when she accidentally bumped into someone, and her phone fell to the floor. As the stranger apologized and they both bent to pick it up, their eyes met, and time stood still.

"Alexia," Alfred whispered, his voice barely audible, as he handed her phone back to her. Their gazes locked, tears welling up in their eyes, unsure how to process the sudden reunion. The old wounds had indeed reopened.

Bryan broke the silence, his voice firm but polite, "Hi, Alfred, it's been a while, but sorry, we need to be somewhere." Alfred nodded, his eyes never leaving Alexia's face, and added, "Your daughter is beautiful." Rachel, oblivious to the tension, waved at Alfred with a bright smile.

As they hastily left the restaurant, the car ride home was filled with an uncomfortable silence. Alexia's mood darkened,

her thoughts consumed by the past. Once home, she rushed to the bathroom, shedding tears under the shower,

her clothes clinging to her body.

"He probably has plenty of girls now; he used me and dumped me. He'll never know about Rachel, never!" she whispered to herself, the pain still raw.

''Babe, are you okay?'' Bryan asked, his voice laced with concern, as Alexia emerged from the bathroom, her slender figure wrapped in a white towel, her face still flushed from tears.

''I'm fine,''

she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, as she dabbed at her face with a small towel, her eyes avoiding his gaze.

''Alright, if you say so,''

Bryan said, his brow furrowed with worry.

''Hope you're not still reeling from seeing Alfred. We can head back to London if you want.''

''No, there's no need for that,'' Alexia said firmly, her voice a hint stronger now.

''Are you going to tell him about Rachel?'' Bryan asked, his curiosity piqued, his eyes searching hers for a hint of truth.

''Over my dead body,''

Alexia declared, her voice fierce, her eyes flashing with determination.

''He doesn't deserve to be the father of my child.''

''Good,''

Bryan said, a sigh of relief escaping his lips.

''That would ruin our family. But do you still love him? You know you cried a river back then because of him.''

Alexia hesitated, her gaze wavering, before responding,

''You're the one who's with me now, and you're an amazing father to our daughter, and a loving husband. Who wouldn't love you?''

Her words were laced with conviction, but her eyes told a different story, a story of lingering emotions and unresolved pain.

Bryan felt a pang of relief wash over him, his heart still racing from the uncertainty.

He knew Alexia still harbored feelings for Alfred, but he was determined to be the rock she needed, the love that would help her heal.

******************

Alfred's mind was consumed by Alexia, her radiant beauty, and the love they once shared. Life had been a dull, endless stretch since they parted ways.

Alexia had blossomed from a lovely young girl into a stunning woman, her slender figure now accented with graceful curves. Her hair cascaded like a golden waterfall, and her face shone like a beacon, illuminating the darkness of his memories.

As he sat, lost in thought, Alfred felt the ache of her absence, the void she had left in his life. He rose, his eyes drawn to the mirror, seeking solace in his reflection. As he gazed, his features came into focus.

a fine young man, tall and handsome, with chiseled cheekbones, a strong jawline, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through the pain.

His dark hair was mussed, as if he'd been running his hands through it, and his full lips were set in a determined line.

He looked like a man who had faced his share of battles and come out stronger because of them.

"I still have the spark,"

he whispered, his gaze tracing the lines of his face, "I'm still handsome, more so than the man she chose."

He attempted to console himself, his words a balm to the wound of rejection. "Alexia definitely has a bad taste," he muttered, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice.

But the words rang hollow, failing to fill the emptiness within. Alfred's eyes betrayed him, his gaze drifting back to the memories of Alexia, her smile, her laughter, and the love they once shared. The pain lingered, a constant reminder of what he had lost.

''i need to find a way to be happy and finally move on,she never loved me''

He said to himself