-11-

The morning sun struggled to break through the clouds, casting a pale, diffused light over the city. In the office, the mood was somber. Employees moved about with a sense of grim determination, trying to keep the company afloat despite the recent setbacks. James was already in his office, pouring over documents and making calls, trying to secure last-minute meetings with potential investors.

Alexa entered the office with a heavy heart, her mind still reeling from the confrontation with Edward. She glanced at James through the glass wall of his office. He looked worn out, his eyes shadowed with fatigue and worry. She wanted to go to him, to offer comfort, but she knew she couldn't. The choice Edward had forced upon her hung over her like a dark cloud.

Lunchtime came and went, but the usual buzz of conversation and laughter was absent. The office felt like a funeral parlor, with everyone speaking in hushed tones. James emerged from his office, his face pale and drawn. He had just returned from yet another fruitless meeting with a potential investor.

Alexa watched him walk back to his office, her heart aching with every step he took. She wanted to tell him everything, to explain why she had to leave, but she knew it would only make things worse. She forced herself to focus on her work, trying to keep her mind off the impending disaster.

As the day drew to a close, James called an impromptu meeting with his core team. Mia, along with a few other key members, gathered in the conference room. Alexa joined them, her heart heavy with dread.

"Thank you all for staying late," James began, his voice weary but determined. "I know things have been tough, but we can't give up. We still have a chance to turn this around."

Mia nodded in agreement. "We need to refine our pitch, highlight our unique features, and show the investors why our platform is the best."

The team spent hours brainstorming and refining their presentation. Alexa watched James closely, her heart breaking as she saw the strain etched on his face. She wanted to help, but she felt powerless, trapped by the choice Edward had forced upon her.

After the meeting, Alexa returned to her apartment, her mind racing with thoughts of the day's events. She had barely closed the door when her phone buzzed. It was a text from Edward.

"I'm waiting outside. We need to talk."

Alexa's heart sank. She opened the door to find Edward standing in the hallway, his expression smug.

"What do you want?" she demanded, her voice shaking with anger.

Edward leaned against the doorframe, his eyes gleaming with malice. "I think you know what I want, Alexa. Have you made your decision?"

Tears welled up in her eyes. "I can't do it, Edward. I can't betray James."

Edward's smile faded, replaced by a cold, hard look. "Then you leave me no choice. If you don't quit your job and get engaged to me, I will destroy James and his company."

Alexa felt a wave of despair wash over her. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I can," Edward replied with a sneer. "And because I warned you in the first place, I will do everything to have you, my dear."

"You sick bastard." Alexa's resolve wavered. She knew she couldn't let Edward destroy James, but the thought of leaving him and pretending to be with Edward was unbearable.

Edward leaned in closer, his voice a whisper. "You have until the end of the week. Make your choice, Alexa."

He turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the doorway, tears streaming down her face. She closed the door and sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. She felt trapped, caught between her love for James and the terrible choice Edward had forced upon her.

The next morning, Alexa walked into the office with a heavy heart. She saw James standing by the window, staring out at the city.

"James,

we need to talk," she said softly.

She took a deep breath, her heart breaking with every word. "I have to resign, James. I need to fix some problems with my family."

James's eyes widened in shock. "But why? We need you here. I need you here."

She looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry, James. It's for the best."

He reached out and gently touched her arm. "Alexa, please. Don't go. We can figure this out together."

Tears streamed down her face as she pulled away. "I can't, James. I have to do this. And it's better if we don't keep in touch."

James's face fell, and he looked at her with a mix of sadness and confusion. "I don't understand. Why are you doing this?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking.

She turned and walked away, leaving James standing there, his heart shattered. He watched her leave, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss. He had lost the project that meant everything to him, and now he was losing the woman he cared about more than he had realized.

Alexa returned to her apartment and bought a bottle of alcohol, hoping it would numb the pain. She drank alone, her mind swirling with thoughts of James and the terrible choice she had made. She cried until she could cry no more, feeling like her heart was breaking into a million pieces.

James stayed in his office, unable to face the emptiness of his home. He sat at his desk, staring at the project files, tears streaming down his face. He felt like he had failed everyone, and the weight of that failure was crushing him.

Both Alexa and James were lost in their own worlds of pain and regret. Alexa lay on her couch, the bottle of alcohol clutched in her hand, her mind a blur of sorrow and guilt. James sat in his darkened office, the silence pressing in around him, his thoughts consumed by the loss of Alexa and the project.

They were both trapped in a nightmare, each unable to see a way out. The love they had for each other was buried beneath layers of fear and betrayal, and the future seemed bleak and uncertain.