Chapter 17

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I sat up in bed, my heart pounding with the remnants of the message I had read on Alexander's phone earlier that morning.

"We need to talk. It's about the baby. - Stephanie." The words echoed in my mind, heavy with betrayal and dread.

Alexander was already in the shower, the sound of running water a distant, almost soothing backdrop to my turmoil.

The victory over Wales the kidnapper seemed like a lifetime ago, overshadowed by this new, devastating revelation. I forced myself to get out of bed, wrapping a robe around my shoulders.

The cold silk against my skin did little to ease the chill that had settled in my bones.

I had to confront Alexander, but the prospect filled me with a mixture of fear and resolve. I walked to the bathroom door, hesitating before knocking softly.

"Alexander, we need to talk," I said, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to stay calm.

The water stopped abruptly, and I heard him sigh. "Can it wait, Eleanor? I'm in the middle of something."

"No, it can't wait," I insisted, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's important."

He emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, water dripping from his hair. His expression was a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Fine, what is it?"

I took a deep breath, holding his gaze. "I saw the message on your phone this morning. From Stephanie. She says it's about the baby."

His eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and guilt. "Eleanor, I... I didn't want you to find out like this."

"Find out what, Alexander? That you cheated on me? That another woman is carrying your child?" My voice rose, the words tumbling out in a rush of hurt and betrayal.

He ran his hand through his wet hair, looking away. "It was a mistake. A one-time thing. I didn't know she would... that she would get pregnant."

"A mistake?" I echoed, my voice breaking. "Do you have any idea what this means? For us, for our marriage?"

He looked back at me, his eyes cold and hard. "I know what it means, Eleanor. And I'm doing everything I can to fix it. But you need to understand, this is not just about us. There are bigger things at play here."

"Bigger things? Like what? Your precious business empire?" I shot back, feeling a surge of anger. "What about our lives, Alexander? What about me?"

He stepped closer, his expression softening slightly. "I know this is hard, Eleanor. But we have to present a united front. We have to show the world that we can handle this, that our marriage is strong."

I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. "Strong? How can it be strong when there's no trust, no honesty between us?"

"Eleanor, please," he said, reaching out to touch my arm. "We'll need to get through this phase, I promise would be the last."

I pulled away, my heart aching. "I don't know if I can do this, Alexander. I don't know if I can keep pretending."

He sighed, dropping his hand. "We don't have a choice."

The rest of the morning passed in a haze of silence. We dressed and went downstairs for breakfast, the air around us seized by the tension. I could barely touch my food, my stomach churning with anxiety.

As we sat at the table, Alexander's phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it, his expression darkening. "The PR team is on their way. We need to discuss damage control."

I nodded numbly, feeling like a spectator in my own life. The PR team arrived shortly after, a flurry of activity and hushed conversations.

They strategized on how to handle the media fallout if it ever came to that, advising us to present a united front and make a public appearance together.

I listened to their plans, feeling disconnected and distant. It was all so surreal, like watching a movie unfold around me. They wanted us to put on a show, to act like everything was fine, while inside I was breaking apart.

Alexander's voice broke through my thoughts. "Eleanor, are you okay with this?"

I looked at him, seeing the strain in his eyes. "Do I have a choice?"

He didn't answer, just gave a slight nod. The PR team continued their discussions, and I sat there, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on me.

Later, as I sat in the living room, trying to gather my thoughts, my phone buzzed with a message from Ciara.

"Meet me at our usual spot. We need to talk."

Grateful for the distraction, I grabbed my coat and headed out. The drive to the café was short, but it felt like an eternity.

My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and I needed someone to talk to, someone who could help me make sense of it all.

Ciara was already there, waiting for me with a concerned look on her face.

"Eleanor, you look terrible. What happened?"

I sat down, feeling the tears start to flow. "It's Alexander. He... he cheated on me. And now there's a baby."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Oh my God, Eleanor. I'm so sorry."

I nodded, unable to speak as the tears continued to fall. She reached across the table, taking my hand in hers. "You need to fight for your happiness, Eleanor. Don't let them dictate your life."

"I don't know if I have the strength," I admitted, my voice trembling.

"You do," she said firmly. "You're stronger than you think. You have just overcome something that had your life on a thin thread. And you have me remember?"

Her words gave me a glimmer of hope, a small spark of determination. I couldn't let Alexander and his family control my life. I had to find my path, my happiness.

As the evening approached, I returned home to find Alexander getting ready for the charity event. The tension between us was still there, but there was also a sense of resignation. We had to face this together, whether we liked it or not.

In the car to the event, I turned to him, my voice steady. "Alexander, if we're going to get through this, we need to be honest with each other. No more secrets."

He glanced at me, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "You're right. No more secrets."

The rest of the ride was silent, but there was a sense of resolve between us at that moment as it was the only thing we needed to do to keep this from the public.

We arrived at the event, stepping out of the car and facing the media for the first time since the kidnap news broke.

The cameras flashed, and the questions came in a barrage, but we stood together, presenting a united front.

As we walked into the venue, I felt a strange sense of calm. This was just the beginning of our journey, and it was fraught with uncertainty and danger. But I was determined to face it head-on, to find my way in this chaotic world.

The evening passed in a blur of polite smiles and small talk, but beneath the surface, the tension simmered. Alexander and I played our parts, but the weight of the truth hung between us, unspoken but ever-present.

As the night drew to a close, we finally found a moment alone. I looked at him, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes.

"This isn't over, Alexander. We still have a lot to talk about."

He nodded, his expression resigned. "I know.

"Goodnight," I said, my face remaining steady as I turned to the opposite side to sleep.