My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 60

My face froze for a moment. I exchanged a silent glance with Alexander and forced a smile at Evelyn. "Nana, I think you must’ve forgotten it this time. But next time, I’ll be sure to bring it for you to see."

Lydia chimed in, "Is it the Heart of the Ocean from the Aurelia Gala? I’ve heard about it, but I couldn’t attend that night because of some other commitments. I had no idea it was actually photographed by Alexander and given to Vivienne. Vivienne, you’ve got to show it to me next time. I’m dying to see it."

Evelyn seemed to buy the excuse, but with Lydia speaking up too, things were starting to get a bit tricky.

"Show it to you?" Lydia scoffed, "This is really your fault, big brother. How could you let your wife get so envious? You need to get her one too. I heard the raw emerald for the Heart of the Ocean was huge. They probably made a few bracelets from it, so it’ll definitely show up again."

"Really?" Lydia’s attention was now fully diverted.

I nodded. "Of course, it’s true."

Lydia glanced over at Sebastian Hawthorne.

Sebastian smiled helplessly. "Alright, alright. I’ll have my staff keep an eye out. As soon as there’s news, we’ll buy one."

"That’s more like it."

"Big brother is really good to big sister-in-law," I couldn’t help but admire their interaction, a twinge of envy flickering in my chest. I sighed inwardly.

"Alexander is good to you too," Lydia added. "A bracelet worth millions, just like that. No hesitation at all."

I forced a smile and nodded, not saying anything further.

Alexander certainly didn’t hesitate when it came to spending money on me.

But he was just as willing to spend money on Isabella.

If there was only one piece, it was always Isabella’s.

Only what Isabella didn’t want would come to me—just like that cake he casually handed me.

I would always be second best, someone’s backup plan.

Alexander remained silent, watching me force a smile, trying to smooth things over in front of his grandmother and sister-in-law. He felt something stir inside him, a complicated emotion he couldn’t quite name.

The bracelet wasn’t even with me.

Where would I have gotten one to show my grandmother?

Before long, Grandpa started to get tired, nodding off in his chair. The assistant and Gabriella helped him to rest.

Evelyn turned to us. "If you have other things to do, you can go now. There’s no need to hang around here. If anything comes up with Pop-Pop, I’ll call you. Just come by on the weekends like usual."

"Nana, we’ll head out then," Sebastian Hawthorne said.

"Go on, go back."

"Eleanor, say goodbye to Grandma, Uncle, and Aunt."

"Goodbye, Grandma. Goodbye, Uncle and Aunt," Eleanor said sweetly, her voice innocent and bright.

"Goodbye, Eleanor."

Once Sebastian Hawthorne, Lydia, and Eleanor had left, Alexander and I said our goodbyes to Evelyn and walked out hand in hand.

As soon as we stepped out of the living room, I pulled my hand away from Alexander’s.

Alexander glanced at my empty hand and then moved closer, taking it again.

I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, no matter how much I struggled.

"What are you doing?" I stopped walking, looking at him coldly.

"I should be asking you that. What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

Alexander released our joined hands, then looked at me, his voice firm. "You said Pop-Pop wants us to get along and for me to show my actions. Well, I’m taking action, but you keep pushing me away, not giving me a chance."

My coldness had been too obvious these past few days.

"I’m not pushing you away."

"Really? Then what’s this?" Alexander shook the hand we’d been holding. "I also saw you give the cake to the assistant."

My lips tightened.

I wanted to ask him if the Black Forest cake from a few years ago was something Isabella had refused, which was why he gave it to me.

But then I realized it wasn’t necessary to ask. The truth was probably just as I suspected.

Back then, they weren’t close, and Alexander had no reason to buy me a cake.

Besides, if I asked, he would know I had feelings for him.

And I couldn’t let him find that out.

"Can’t explain it, huh?" Alexander pressed.

I looked up at him. "Are you serious?"

"Of course, I’m serious." Alexander locked eyes with mine. "I’ve been serious about keeping my promise to Pop-Pop."

I lowered my gaze and said nothing. These past few days, I had indeed felt Alexander’s concern—subtle but undeniable. But I no longer trusted him, and I couldn’t accept it peacefully.

Or maybe I was just scared.

Scared of losing myself again, falling back into the same patterns, unable to escape, unable to protect my heart.

Seeing my silence, Alexander moved closer, gently pressing my head against his chest. "Vivienne, don’t push me away. Since you’ve already promised Pop-Pop, why not try to be real with me?"

"That depends on how you act," I whispered.

Let it happen naturally.

I could stop pushing him away, but I wouldn’t initiate any closeness. I would make sure I could pull away before any harm could come.

"Alright. So, can we move back to the master bedroom?"

Fearing I’d refuse, Alexander quickly added, "A healthy married life can strengthen the bond between husband and wife."

I couldn’t help but twitch my lips.

For three years, their married life had been harmonious, but there hadn’t been much of a bond between them.

"Fine, but you can’t..."

"I know."

...

With Gabriella’s help, the two of them moved back to the master bedroom that very night.

Gabriella was thrilled and had arranged the room, scattering rose petals on the bed and lighting some scented candles.

The atmosphere was thick with an almost palpable tension.

This was our wedding bed, the place we had shared for three years.

Now, lying here again, I could feel the heat of someone beside me, a presence I couldn’t ignore.

For some reason, I felt nervous. I closed my eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come.

“Vivienne,” Alexander whispered, “are you asleep?”

“No,” I answered softly.

“Would you like to hear a story?”

“Mm.”

Alexander began telling a German tale in his low, soothing voice.

When the story ended, Alexander asked again, “Are you asleep?”

“No.” My mind was still wide awake.

Alexander propped himself up and leaned closer to me. His warm breath brushed against my face. “Since you can’t sleep, how about some sleep-inducing exercises?”

“I told you, only with my permission.” I understood what he meant and shifted slightly away from him.

“Well, do you permit it now?”

“No.”

“Really? No permission?” Alexander raised an eyebrow.

I bit my lower lip, staring into his eyes in the dark, silent.

Alexander knew I was only pretending. He rolled over and pressed his lips to mine.

His kiss was urgent, tugging at my lips. His tongue parted my teeth and slipped inside, claiming my mouth.

The quiet room was filled with the soft sound of wet kisses.

Alexander’s lips traveled down, past my breasts, reaching the most intimate part of me.

I closed my eyes, instinctively arching my chest toward him, my hands buried in his hair. I gasped softly, each breath sharp, like a fish stranded on land, struggling for air.

Suddenly, a flash of white light.

My body trembled.

Alexander pulled back, wiping the moisture from his lips, ready to continue. But in that moment, I suddenly pushed him away and yawned. “I’m tired. Let’s sleep.”