Chapter 7
Alex stiffened. "What?"
Izzy kept her eyes on the polished table. "How many women have sat in this chair before me? Pretending. Playing a part."
"You're the first."
She finally looked at him. "Don't lie to me. Not about this."
His jaw tightened. "I'm not lying. You think I've done this before? Hired someone to fake an engagement?"
"Maybe not hired. But used." The words came out sharper than she intended. "Vivienne said Lila...."
"Vivienne doesn't know what she's talking about." Alex stood abruptly. "We're done here."
"Alex....."
"I said we're done."
He walked out without looking back.
Izzy sat alone in the boardroom, pulse hammering. She'd pushed too hard. But Vivienne's warning still echoed in her head.
"Leave before he breaks you too."
*******************
The car ride back to the estate was silent. Alex stared out the window, one hand loosely gripping his phone. Izzy kept her gaze forward, arms crossed.
When they pulled up to the house, he got out without a word and disappeared inside.
Izzy stayed in the car for a moment, gathering herself. Then she followed.
She found him in his office, pouring whiskey into a crystal glass.
"You can't just walk away every time I ask a real question," she said from the doorway.
He drank. Didn't turn around. "You signed a contract. Not a therapy session."
"That contract was tampered with."
Alex went still. "What did you say?"
Izzy stepped inside. "Nathan showed me the clause this morning. The one about corporate liability. It wasn't in the version I signed."
He set the glass down slowly. "Nathan showed you."
"He said if the deal goes south, I'm legally responsible. That the foundation could sue me, is that true?"
Alex's expression went cold. "Nathan had no business discussing that with you."
"So it *is* true."
"It's complicated."
"It's a trap." Her voice cracked. "And you let me walk into it."
"I didn't know about the clause." His voice was low, controlled. "Not until after you signed."
Izzy laughed bitterly. "And you didn't think to tell me?"
"I was handling it."
"By keeping me in the dark?"
He turned fully now, eyes blazing. "By protecting you from the kind of people who would use it against you. Nathan doesn't care about you, Izzy. He wants control of this company, and he'll destroy anyone in his way."
"Then why is he still your COO?"
Alex's silence was answer enough.
Izzy shook her head. "You don't trust him. But you keep him close anyway just like you're keeping me close. Just like you kept Lila."
His face went white. "Don't."
"Why not? Everyone else does." She stepped closer. "Vivienne thinks I'm going to end up like her. Broken. Used up. Is she right?"
"Vivienne is bitter and grieving, and she's taking it out on you."
"She loved her sister."
"And she blames me for Lila's death." His voice cracked. "She always has."
The room fell silent.
Izzy's anger faltered. "What happened to Lila?"
Alex looked away. "She died in a car accident. Two years ago. We were arguing. I was driving."
"Alex...."
"She wanted out. Out of the marriage, the foundation, all of it. And I wouldn't let her go." His voice was hollow. "So she left anyway."
Izzy's chest tightened. "It wasn't your fault."
"Wasn't it?" He met her eyes. "I loved her. And I suffocated her. Vivienne's right about that part."
Izzy didn't know what to say. She wanted to reach for him, but something held her back.
"You're not Lila," Alex said quietly. "And I'm not trying to replace her."
"Then what am I doing here?"
"Surviving. Same as me."
****************
That night, Izzy couldn't sleep. She kept replaying the conversation, Vivienne's warning, Nathan's smirk.
At 2 a.m., she gave up and wandered downstairs. The house was dark except for the faint glow from Alex's office.
She found him there, still dressed, surrounded by legal documents.
"You should be asleep," he said without looking up.
"So should you."
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. "Nathan's building a case. If the engagement fails publicly, he'll use that clause to argue you're a liability. Then he'll push for a board vote to remove me."
"Can he do that?"
"If he gets enough support, yes."
Izzy sat down across from him. "So we can't fail."
"No. We can't."
She studied him. "Why does he hate you so much?"
"Because I have something he wants. And because Lila chose me first."
Izzy blinked. "Wait. Nathan and Lila....."
"Were engaged. Briefly. Before she met me." Alex's expression was unreadable. "He's never forgiven me for it."
"Jesus, Alex."
"I know."
"This whole thing is a mess."
"Yes."
She laughed despite herself. "And I thought my life was complicated."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You walked into the lion's den, Izzy. You can still walk out."
"And lose everything? No thanks." She paused. "Besides. Someone has to make sure you don't drown in whiskey and paperwork."
He looked at her then, really looked at her. "Why are you still here?"
"Because I made a deal. And because..." She trailed off.
"Because what?"
"Because you're not as bad as you think you are."
He didn't respond. But something shifted in his eyes.
The next morning, Alex called an emergency meeting. Only five people attended: Alex, Izzy, Nathan, Vivienne, and the head of legal.
Nathan arrived last, impeccably dressed, smiling as he'd already won.
"Let's make this quick," Alex said. "I know about the clause."
Nathan didn't flinch. "Then you know it's legally binding."
"I also know you added it without my authorization."
"I added it to protect the foundation."
"You added it to sabotage me."
The room went tense.
Nathan leaned back. "If you can't handle the pressure, step down. Let someone capable take over."
"Like you?"
"If necessary."
Vivienne cut in. "This is exactly why the board has concerns, Alex. You're paranoid. Unstable."
"I'm not the one manipulating contracts," Alex said coldly.
"No. You're just manipulating women." Vivienne's gaze flicked to Izzy. "Again."
Izzy spoke before she could stop herself. "I'm right here. And I can speak for myself."
Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "Then tell us. Do you actually love him? Or are you just another player in his game?"
The room went silent.
Izzy felt every eye on her. She could lie. She probably should lie.
But instead, she said, "I don't know yet."
Nathan smirked. Vivienne looked almost satisfied.
But Alex... Alex looked at her like she'd just saved his life.
After the meeting, Izzy found Alex on the terrace, staring out at the grounds.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I should've lied."
"No." He turned to her. "You shouldn't have."
"They think I'm weak now."
"They think you're honest. That's more dangerous."
She smiled faintly. "Is that a compliment?"
"It's a warning."
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then Alex said, "The gala's in five weeks. We need to be ready."
"We will be."
"And Izzy?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For staying."
She looked at him, really looked at him, past the armor, the control, the grief.
"Don't make me regret it," she said softly.
He almost smiled. "I'll try."