Chapter 19 Someone Pushed Me #2
His chest tightened painfully as the image seared itself into his mind. Every heartbeat felt like fire, every breath a knife.
He slammed the glass down again, the ice rattling, but nothing could drown the voice inside his head.
That’s when a voice cut through the haze.
“Yes, Mia is living at my brother’s house right now. I’ll bring her home tonight,” a waiter entered the private room, speaking into the Bluetooth in his ear.
James froze, his eyes snapping toward the voice. The waiter’s gaze landed on him, wide with shock. “Oh—oh! I’m sorry, sir! I didn’t realize… I mean, I think I entered the wrong room—”
James was already on his feet. Two long strides, and he was in front of the man.
His hands shot out, gripping the waiter’s collar with a strength fueled by desperation and rage.
“Where is Mia?!” he demanded, his voice sharp, tremors of anger and fear rippling through every word.
“What are you talking about? Where is she living?”
Just then, Gabriel and Neil entered the room. Seeing James about to assault the waiter, Gabriel lunged forward, prying his hands off the waiter. “James! Stop!” he shouted, steadying him. Neil grabbed the other side, forcing him to release the trembling man.
The waiter’s words faltered as James shook him roughly. “I—I was talking about my daughter,” the man stammered, turning to flee down the hall as fast as he could.
Gabriel spun James around to stand properly, snapping at him. “Have you lost your mind? Look at yourself! You’re assaulting a waiter just because you heard Mia’s name!”
James staggered backward, his chest heaving, but his mind wasn’t listening. All he heard was “daughter” and “Mia.”
His body trembled, devastated. “I… I made her drink that night…” he whispered, voice breaking. His eyes flicked to the whiskey bottles scattered on the table. “I made her drink all night… and she’d never had alcohol before. She was drinking for me… I didn’t realize she was in so much pain.”
His voice cracked completely as he remembered her first night drinking in his place, swallowing the alcohol silently, her eyes full of hurt. The memory tore through him.
“James! Come back to your senses!” Gabriel shouted, panic edging his voice. “You can’t just drown yourself in alcohol. You just came from the hospital—have you lost your mind?”
James stumbled toward the table to pour another drink, but Neil and Gabriel grabbed his shoulders and forced him out of the bar, dragging him home before he could hurt himself further.
***
Gabriel was practically trembling with excitement as he stepped into the lavish Empire Group’s business party—his first truly high-profile party. Crystal chandeliers glimmered overhead, soft music filled the air, and power lingered in every corner of the room.
He had worked for years for a chance like this. Years of networking, scheming, waiting. And then, out of nowhere, an invitation had appeared.
He hadn’t even been the original recipient.
With great difficulty—and a little shamelessness—he had scammed the invitation from a friend and entered in his place.
But this opportunity mattered too much to let go.
Expanding his business meant building relationships with industry giants, and there was no better place than this room full of powerful men.
This was his gateway into the elite circle—where deals were sealed over champagne and handshakes.
His eyes sparkled as he scanned the hall, until they abruptly stopped on a familiar figure.
Alexander Graves.
The man stood effortlessly confident, hands tucked into his pockets, dressed in a deep charcoal suit tailored so perfectly it looked molded to his frame, the collar of his crisp white shirt open, no tie in sight.
He was speaking with two other men. Gabriel recognized him instantly. Anyone who had done even a fraction of the research Gabriel had would.
Sebastian Graves and Sawyer Stark.
Sebastian wore a jet-black suit, jacket buttoned, tie knotted with flawless precision. Sawyer, in contrast, stood in a navy-blue suit with the jacket left open, his tie loosened just enough to suggest ease rather than carelessness, his posture relaxed but alert.
Gabriel sucked in a sharp breath. His pulse spiked. These weren’t just industry giants—they were untouchable. He had spent years researching the top figures in the industry. Every big name, every powerful face—he knew them all. And now they were standing right in front of him.
Straightening his collar, Gabriel set his champagne glass aside and walked toward them, steadying his breathing. This was his moment.
He stopped beside them and offered a confident smile. “Good evening, gentlemen. Mind if I join you for a bit? I’m waiting for a friend—he hasn’t arrived yet.”
The three men glanced at him with mild curiosity.
Alexander’s expression tightened for just a fraction of a second—but Gabriel didn’t notice. Alexander had recognized him instantly. James’s close associate. Someone who had once hovered too close to Mia. But Alexander revealed nothing, his face smoothing into polite indifference.
He gave Gabriel a brief nod.
Gabriel jumped at the chance. “I’ve heard a great deal about you, Mr. Graves,” he said smoothly, directing his attention to Alexander. “I’ve been expanding into the industry for a while now. We own several resorts. I believe it’s only a matter of time before our paths cross professionally.”
“Perhaps,” Alexander replied flatly, with little interest.
Gabriel didn’t falter. He had expected that. Men at this level never showed enthusiasm to strangers. He simply smiled wider and turned to the others. “It’s a pleasure meeting you as well. I hope we’ll have the chance to discuss business in the future.”
Ignoring him, Sebastian suddenly nudged Alexander with his elbow. “Your wife is here.”
All eyes shifted toward the entrance—including Gabriel’s.
And then his world froze.
Mia walked into the hall.
She was dressed in a silver-studded gown that clung to her figure and flowed down to her ankles. Her hair was swept up, exposing her neck, her posture elegant. She looked radiant. Beautiful. Nothing like the woman Gabriel remembered.
Gabriel stared, stunned, disbelief washing over him. His gaze flicked back to the men, his mind scrambling. Wife?
Before he could process it, Alexander stepped away from the group and walked straight toward her.
As he reached closer, he cupped her face in his hands lovingly, bent down, and pressed a kiss to her lips. Then he took her hand, his thumb brushing her skin as he spoke to her softly, affectionately.
Mia smiled up at him happily.
And in that moment, Gabriel felt the ground slip from beneath his feet.
His entire body trembled as disbelief surged through his veins while he stared at the sight before him.
Suddenly, a memory slammed into his mind—the man sitting across from Mia at the restaurant that day. The same restaurant where even getting a reservation was nearly impossible. The day he had somehow gotten a free meal and brushed it off as luck.
His face drained of color as realization struck.
That man… was Alexander?
His body went rigid, breath lodged painfully in his chest. Before anyone could notice, Gabriel turned sharply and walked out of the party hall. His mind spiraled, thoughts crashing into one another until one word hit him harder than anything else.
Wife.
She wasn’t just Alexander’s girlfriend.
She was his wife.
Anger surged violently through him. His fists clenched as jealousy twisted inside his chest. The memory of Alexander kissing Mia that night resurfaced, twisting something ugly inside him.
Before he could stop himself, Gabriel turned sharply and stormed back toward them, his face cold, his eyes dark and vicious. He stopped in front of Alexander and Mia, his gaze flicking between them before he spoke—his voice loud, mocking, poisonous.
“I didn’t realize someone like you would stoop so low,” he sneered, eyes cutting into Alexander, “using a divorced woman just to secure your position, Mr. Graves.”
The noise drew attention instantly.
Alexander and Mia broke apart and turned to face him. Alexander frowned, irritation flashing across his features. Mia’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected to see anyone from James’s circle here.
But Gabriel wasn’t done. His lips curled in disgust as his gaze landed on Mia.
Before he could stop himself, Gabriel turned sharply and stormed back toward them, his face cold, his eyes dark and vicious. He stopped in front of Alexander and Mia, his gaze flicking between them before he spoke—his voice loud, mocking, poisonous.
“I didn’t realize someone as rich and influential as you would stoop this low,” he sneered, eyes cutting into Alexander, “marrying a divorced woman? Couldn’t you find an unmarried woman, Mr. Graves?”
The noise drew attention instantly.
Alexander and Mia broke apart and turned to face him. Alexander frowned instantly, his eyes darkening. Mia froze, shock flashing across her face as she recognized Gabriel. She hadn’t expected to see anyone from James’ circle here—least of all him.
But Gabriel wasn’t done. He sneered, disgust twisting his features. His eyes locked onto Mia.
“How can you sleep with another man so easily?” he spat. “Don’t you feel ashamed? And you. Mr. Graves—” his laughter burst out harsh and unhinged, “—you actually made a divorced woman your wife? Don’t you feel disgusted?”
Heads turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
And then—
Pain exploded across Gabriel’s face.
Alexander’s fist slammed into him, sending him crashing to the ground. Blood trickled from his lip as the world spun violently.
“Get the fuck out of here before I beat you to death,” Alexander growled, his voice low and lethal.
He didn’t wait for a response. Alexander took Mia’s hand firmly and walked away with her, his grip protective.
Gabriel lay there, humiliation burning through him, jealousy twisting into something feral. His fists trembled as he slowly pushed himself up.
He didn’t leave the party.
Instead, he melted into the crowd. Watching obsessively as Mia stayed by Alexander’s side.
When she finally excused herself and headed upstairs toward the restroom at the far end, something dark snapped inside him.
He followed quietly.
Standing in the shadows near the washroom, he waited.
And when she stepped onto the stairs—
He struck.
His hand shoved violently into her back.
A scream tore from her lips as her body tumbled down the long staircase, the sound of bone and flesh hitting each step echoing through the hall.
Gabriel staggered back, heart pounding violently. Without looking back, he hurried down the emergency stairs and slipped out through the back door of the party, disappearing before anyone noticed his presence.
The crash was so loud that the entire hall fell silent.
Everyone turned at once.
Alexander’s heart slammed into his throat. In the very next second, every instinct in his body snapped awake. His heart slammed violently against his ribs as he turned toward the sound. Guests were already gasping, heads whipping in the same direction.
“Mia!”
He broke into a run.
She was sprawled at the foot of the stairs, her body curled slightly, one hand braced against the floor. Her face had gone pale, pain etched into every line. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to sit up, a broken sound escaping her lips.
Alexander dropped to his knees in front of her, his breath ragged.
“How the hell did you…?” His voice shook despite his effort to keep it steady. “Where does it hurt?”
Her elbows were scraped raw. One knee was already swelling, red and angry. She winced as she tried to move, tears spilling freely now.
Without waiting for an answer, Alexander lifted her carefully and carried her to the nearest couch, settling her down gently. Waiters rushed over immediately, several emergency kits already in hand.
Alexander wiped the tears from her face, his hands tender despite the storm raging inside him. “Talk to me, Mia.”
She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. “I—I don’t know. Someone pushed me.” Her eyes flicked toward the stairs. “I felt it. A hand on my back. But… there’s no one there now.”
Something dark and violent twisted in Alexander’s chest. His jaw tightened.
Sawyer was already on the phone. Within minutes, a doctor arrived and knelt in front of Mia.
“Look at my finger,” the doctor said calmly. “Follow it.”
After checking her pupils and confirming there was no head injury, he stood and turned to Alexander. “Mrs. Graves is fine. No major injuries. Just superficial scratches and bruising.”
Alexander nodded once. Short. Controlled.
The moment the doctor stepped away, Alexander bent down and scooped Mia up in his arms again.
“I’m taking her home,” he said curtly to Sebastian and Sawyer. “Handle the party.”
“Alexander,” Mia protested weakly, her hand gripping his jacket. “I’m fine. This is your company’s event. You can’t just leave.”
He ignored her completely.
An hour later, the house was silent.
An hour later as they reached home, Alexander settled her gently onto the bed. The tension still hadn’t left his face; his hands trembled faintly. He removed the hairpin from her hair, letting it spill down her back in soft waves, then helped her lie back.
He brushed his fingers over her face, his voice barely above a whisper. “Tell me the truth. Does anything hurt? Your head?”
“I’m really fine,” Mia said quietly, meeting his eyes. “I promise.”
“Good,” he said softly. “Sleep.”
He reached for the zipper of her dress and slowly pulled it down. “You won’t be comfortable like this.”
Reaching behind her, he slowly pulled down the zipper of her dress. “You won’t be comfortable sleeping in this.” He helped her out of it, leaving her wrapped in the sheets.
When his thumb brushed her hip, he paused.
“Do you want to take off the underwear as well?”
She caught his wrist and shook her head.
Alexander nodded and let it go.
He disappeared into the bathroom, returned with a warm towel, and gently wiped away her makeup, his touch slow and tender. Somewhere between his careful movements and his quiet presence, Mia fell asleep.
Only then did Alexander left the room.
Outside, near the car, Allen straightened the moment he saw him.
“This is the footage, Mr. Graves,” he said, handing over the phone.
Alexander watched the screen.
Gabriel.
Pushing Mia down the stairs.
His jaw clenched so hard it looked like it might shatter.
He handed the phone back, his voice lethal and calm. “Drive to that motherfucker’s house. Right fucking now.”