Chapter 16 The Live
A pause settled over them, the silence only broken by the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. Then, her voice trembled as she whispered to the graves, “It was my fault… everything that went wrong in our lives.”
Alexander immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. “Don’t say that,” he said firmly, his voice deep and gentle. “It’s not your fault. Accidents happen. You can’t blame yourself.”
But Mia shook her head weakly. The tears that had been threatening to fall finally burst out. She sobbed softly, her voice shaking as she spoke to the graves.
“I’m sorry,” she cried. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have begged you to let me marry James. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn.”
Alexander’s chest tightened painfully as he looked down at her, his hand tightening around her shoulder. His eyes grew darker, conflicted, as he asked quietly, “You loved him?”
Mia shook her head. “No,” she said, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Her voice trembled, but she kept going.
“Five years ago, my dad collapsed from cardiac arrest. He wasn’t waking up, and I panicked.
I didn’t know what to do. I tried to lift him, but I couldn’t.
And then James was passing by… he saw us.
He ran over and carried my dad on his back all the way to the hospital.
” Her voice softened, as if she was lost in that memory.
“The hospital was a bit far, but he didn’t stop.
He didn’t complain. He just ran. And I thought…
that was the kindest thing anyone could ever do. ”
She let out a shaky breath. “That’s why I begged my parents to let me marry him. I thought someone who could do something so selfless must be the best man in the world. I thought… if I married him, I would have a happy life.”
Her lips trembled again. “My parents tried to stop me because I was too young, but I didn’t listen. I was stubborn. I insisted on marrying him.”
She sniffled, wiping her tears, her voice trembling. “But after I married him… I realized he never really cared about me. I was just another piece of furniture in his house—something there for show, a formality.”
Alexander’s heart pounded violently in his chest. Her words echoed in his head like a storm.
All this time, he had believed she loved James, that her heart had belonged to another man, and that was why he had never tried to interfere, no matter how much it tore him apart. He had stayed silent, convincing himself she was happy.
But now… hearing her confession, his entire world shifted.
’My Mia was never in love with him?’ The thought made his heart race. As twisted as it was, he wanted all of her—every piece, every scar, every emotion. ‘If she never loved that bastard,’ he thought darkly, ‘then the only man she will ever love will be me.’
Mia’s gaze turned back to the graves. “I didn’t bring James here because I don’t think he is worthy of getting your blessings.”
Alexander reached out and pulled her close to him again, his arm secure around her waist. He looked down at the graves and spoke aloud, his tone solemn and determined.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, I will make sure Mia is happy. She will always be happy. I will treat her better than anyone ever did. I promise.”
Mia’s heart skipped a beat at his words. Her chest tightened as she looked up at him, at the sincerity in his eyes and something inside her seemed to melt, soft and helpless.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Alexander tilted her chin up gently, looking into her eyes. “I promise, Mia,” he said softly, “I’ll be with you till my last breath.”
Her eyes shimmered, and for a long moment, neither of them moved. The world around them was silent, only the soft rustle of the wind passing through the trees and the faint scent of earth and flowers lingered in the air.
Finally, Mia took a deep breath and looked back at the graves. Then she turned to Alexander. “Mr. Graves, you should go back home now. I want to visit Hazel’s place on my own.”
Alexander frowned immediately. “I’ll drop you there.”
She shook her head firmly. “No. I want to go by myself. I promise… I’ll come back soon.”
***
Mia’s body shook as she cried, her sobs wracking her entire frame. Hazel wrapped her in a tight hug, but even that couldn’t contain the torrent of grief and frustration Mia felt. No matter how hard she tried, the tears kept spilling.
“Don’t worry, Mia,” Hazel murmured gently, rubbing her back. “It’s going to be okay. I know… seeing your parents’ house like that is painful. But it’s not yours anymore. You have to let go. Don’t make your parents sad again. They wouldn’t want you to suffer like this.”
Mia wiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand, nodding slowly. She reached for her phone and turned off the video of the broken house that Hazel had shown her, placing it carefully on the table as if setting aside the weight of the memory.
Hazel exhaled sharply, frustration etched across her face.
“Why did you even marry him? Did you have to? Seriously, this whole time… that bastard and his family probably thought you married him for money. But we both know that’s not true.
Your family was rich, too. What did you even need from him?
I can’t believe you’re so young. I told you not to marry him, and yet…
you insisted he was a nice man. Ugh! I swear, I’m going to break his legs! ”
She stormed toward the door, her fury barely contained, but Mia quickly reached out and grabbed her hand. “Hazel… wait. I’ve already divorced him. I don’t want anything to do with him anymore. I don’t want to be involved.”
Hazel froze, her anger faltering for a moment. Her gaze softened slightly, though her tone was still exasperated. “Then where are you living right now? Why not just stay with me? Let’s go get your luggage and forget all this.”
Mia shook her head. “No… I got married.”
Hazel’s jaw dropped, eyes wide in shock. “What? You got married?! Again?!”
Mia nodded. “After I left James’ house, Alexander helped me and then he proposed. So I married him.”
Hazel’s hand flew up, slapping her forehead with a loud smack.
“Alexander? Who the fuck…? What? I… I need a drink,” she muttered, her voice shaking slightly as she stared at Mia, horrified. Mia blinked, innocent and confused, not understanding what had unsettled her friend so deeply.
Within moments, Hazel had Mia packed into her car and was driving toward a club.
On the way, Mia explained how she met Alexander and how they had married so quickly. “He’s… he’s really kind,” she said softly. “He even helps me with the smallest things. He’s really nice.”
Hazel groaned, running a hand through her hair. She shook her head in disbelief. “What should I do with you? How can you marry someone like that?”
“He’s a nice man,” Mia insisted, a small smile tugging at her lips. “He takes care of me, and he’s kind to everyone.”
Soon, the car arrived at the club. The sleek, black exterior of the Luxe Club reflected the neon lights of the city as they stepped inside.
Hazel led the way through the crowded club, her fingers firmly laced around Mia’s wrist as if afraid she’d slip away.
The place pulsed with dim golden lights, bass-heavy music, and the scent of alcohol and perfume mixing in the air.
They made their way directly to the VIP area. When they reached a table already occupied by two men, Mia hesitated slightly, looking at Hazel in question.
“They’re also my friends. We need company right now,” Hazel said firmly. “I think you need a drink to straighten your head out.”
Mia gave her an offended scowl but followed anyway.
As they approached, the two men at the table rose to their feet. One was dark-haired, much younger, with an easy, boyish charm. The other wore a perfectly tailored suit, his expression strict but calm—poised, confident, and very composed.
As they drew closer and settled onto the couch across from the two men, the man in the suit’s eyes immediately found Mia. His gaze lingered—too long—making the air shift in an uncomfortable silence.
Hazel, oblivious to the tension, smiled and began the introductions.
“This is Harold,” she said, pointing to the younger man. “And that’s Sawyer,” she added, nodding toward the man in the suit.
“Hi,” Mia greeted, extending her hand to both of them.
Sawyer, a glass of whiskey in one hand, gave her a brief handshake. His grip was firm but his eyes lingered—unblinking, tracing her face.
Harold, on the other hand, eagerly reached forward the moment she turned to him. His smile stretched wide, almost too bright, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. He looked far too pleased, almost overjoyed, as if meeting her was the highlight of his day.
Harold’s heart started to race the moment his eyes met Mia’s. The woman in front of him caught his attention instantly—so effortlessly beautiful that he couldn’t look away. His gaze remained fixed on her, as if she was the only girl in the entire club.
‘She’s so beautiful,’ Harold thought to himself, his eyes fixed on her.
She wasn’t even dressed to impress. Just jeans and a strappy top that hugged her figure perfectly.
Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, a small clutch pinning it together, and yet she looked effortlessly elegant.
Yet the more he stared, the faster his heart beat.
Harold, grinning widely, slid a glass of beer across the low table toward Mia. “For you,” he said, his eyes twinkling.
Mia took it, her fingers brushing against the cool glass. “Thanks,” she murmured with a faint smile. Beside her, Hazel reached for her own drink, already half-laughing at Harold’s enthusiasm.