CHAPTER 16: THE LATE NIGHT PHONE CALL

[Back to Present]

"A phone call—," Lucas said, after Alexander finished recounting the memory in fragments. "You stepped out for a damn phone call and your brother swooped in."

Alexander gave a dry laugh. "That’s Jack for you."

Lucas smirked. "And you let him."

Alexander’s expression hardened. "She was happy and Jack seemed serious about her. What was I supposed to do? Compete?"

Lucas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You are not hearing me. I am saying maybe you should have fought for her."

Alexander looked at him sharply. "You are suggesting I steal my brother’s ex now?"

"I am suggesting you finally do what your heart wanted years ago," Lucas countered. "You have always been the one who sacrifices."

He sighed, "You are the responsible son and the rational man but this—it’s not about logic. It’s about what has been haunting you every time you see her name or hear Jack talk about her or watch her smile at someone else."

Alexander’s throat felt tight. "You think I haven’t tried to move on?"

"I think you have been lying to yourself."

Lucas had not seen Alexander crave for someone who could have easily been his if he had made the right move.

As good a friend he was, he had always tried to influence Alexander but the latter was too stubborn to see the whole situation the way he did.

Lucas hated that.

Alexander looked down at his drink in silence. He hated how Lucas could still see through him, the same way his father could.

Lucas’s voice softened slightly. "She is not with Jack anymore and if what I heard about that breakup is true, it wasn’t pretty. Maybe the universe is giving you another chance, Alex. Don’t waste it again."

Alexander’s jaw clenched. "It still feels wrong."

"Life is wrong," Lucas said simply. "But sometimes you have got to take what is meant for you before someone else does."

Alexander’s lips curved in something close to a smile. "You make it sound easy."

Lucas chuckled, raising his glass. "It never is but that is what makes it worth it."

The sound of clinking glasses filled the quiet.

Alexander stared into the amber liquid but all he could think about was Evelyn.

And somewhere deep inside, beneath all the restraint and control he had built over the years, something dangerous began to stir again.

....

[Later that night—Alexander’s Penthouse]

The penthouse was quiet when Alexander walked in.

He loosened his tie and exhaled slowly as he tossed his jacket over the couch.

Lucas’s words still lingered in his mind from earlier.

’You’ve been in love with her for years, Alex. You missed your chance once but don’t make that mistake again.’

He had laughed it off at the bar but now when standing alone in the dim glow of his apartment, the echo of those words felt heavier.

He poured himself another drink not because he needed it but because he hoped it would help him divert his mind.

He stared at his phone for a long time before unlocking it and Evelyn’s name opened on the screen.

He told himself he just wanted to check in and make sure she was holding up after the chaos of the day. But he knew that wasn’t the truth.

He hesitated and locked the screen but he also unlocked it again.

"Get it over with—" he muttered under his breath and pressed the call.

It rang twice before a soft, uncertain voice came through.

"Alexander?"

He swallowed before answering. "Yeah. Sorry, I didn’t mean to call this late."

"It’s fine," she said quietly. "I wasn’t sleeping anyway."

Something about her voice made his chest tighten. "Rough night?"

"You could say that," she replied with a heavy sigh. "I guess I have had better days."

He let out a low breath as he sank back on the couch. "You shouldn’t have to deal with all this."

"It’s not your fault," she said quickly. "People move on fast and I am sure tomorrow will be someone else."

"But that doesn’t make it right," he murmured.

She was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Do you know who might have leaked the photos?"

Alexander froze. The question landed harder than he expected. He had seen it coming but hearing it from her twisted something in him.

He ran a hand through his hair. "No," he said finally. "I don’t." The lie came out clean and controlled from his mouth but it burned in his throat.

"I see," she said softly. "I was just wondering."

He wanted to tell her everything, how his father had manipulated everything behind the scenes but dragging her into it would only make things worse. He was also worried how she would see him after knowing the truth.

"You should get some rest," he said instead. "It’s been a long day."

"I wil’," she answered. "You sound like you could use rest too."

He huffed a quiet laugh. "Probably."

There was a moment of stillness on the line before Alexander broke it.

"Evelyn," he said softly.

"Yes?"

"I am glad you are okay."

He wanted to say more. He wanted to tell her that he had never stopped thinking about her and that he still remembered the sound of her laughter the first night they met but all he managed was, "You should get some rest."

"I will," she said gently. "You should too. It’s late."

"Goodnight, Evelyn."

"Goodnight, Alexander."

The line went dead and yet the silence that followed was louder than before.

After sitting there for a long time, staring at the phone in his hand, he got up and walked to the window.

He stood there for a while, staring at the city lights blurring beyond the glass.

He could still hear her voice and he could still feel the tremor in his chest every time she said his name.

And for the first time in years, Alexander wasn’t sure if staying away from her was protecting her or destroying them both, especially himself.

It made him question his own principles and whether it was time to change them.

.....