From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 39

**Chapter 3**

Olivia stirred from her slumber, her senses assaulted by the acrid scent of antiseptic that invaded her nostrils. It was a sharp, clinical smell that brought her back to consciousness with a jolt.

She turned her head ever so slightly, and there he was—Alexander—seated beside her bed. His suit jacket hung carelessly over the back of the chair, the tie around his neck loosened as if he had just come from a long day of grappling with the world. His brow was knitted in a deep frown, eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart race.

“Awake?” His voice was a low rumble, barely above a whisper. “What happened? How did you end up brawling with a group of fans?”

The words hung in the air, heavy with concern. Olivia swallowed hard, her throat feeling like sandpaper. “The bag Miss Vaughn gave me… it was empty.” The admission came out as a mere whisper, but it felt like a confession of betrayal.

A deepening frown etched itself on Alexander’s face, his disbelief palpable. “Chloe cares deeply about her fans. She would never do something like that.” His tone carried a hint of defensiveness, as if he were trying to shield her from the idea that anyone could harm her.

Olivia met his gaze, a wave of exhaustion washing over her, threatening to pull her under. “Alexander Pierce,” she said, her voice trembling with unspent emotion, “will you ever believe me? Just once?”

For a brief moment, he seemed taken aback by her use of his full name, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. His eyes drifted to the bandage on her temple and the bruises that marred her arms, and his expression softened, if only slightly. “Chloe has no reason to hurt you. It must have been a mistake.”

A faint, humorless twitch of her lips was all she could muster in response. She chose silence, feeling the weight of her unspoken words settle heavily between them.

Just then, his phone erupted into life, ringing sharply in the quiet room. Chloe’s voice, laced with panic, came through the speaker. “Alexander… it’s thundering… I’m so scared…”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Alexander shot to his feet, his demeanor shifting to one of gentle urgency. “Don’t be scared. I’m coming right now.”

He dashed out of the room, leaving her in the dim light, the door swinging shut behind him. Olivia watched him go, her heart heavy with memories of another time—when a nightmare had gripped her in its icy clutches, and he had flown back from a distant city just to hold her close, whispering, “Don’t be scared.”

As the door closed, she turned her gaze away, murmuring softly to herself, “Task Ninety-Eight complete.” Soon, she would reclaim her identity as Officer Olivia Hayes once again.

In the ensuing silence, her phone buzzed incessantly, a torrent of notifications flooding in from Chloe.

A photo appeared, capturing Alexander walking beside Chloe, shopping bags dangling from his hands.

Another shot showed him holding the car door open for her, the gesture so effortlessly tender.

A close-up followed, displaying Alexander gazing down at Chloe, a rare, soft smile playing on his lips as she spoke.

Each image struck her like a dull blade, slowly flaying her heart, leaving her feeling raw and exposed.

She stared at the triumphant images, her heart sinking further with each passing second, choosing silence over the urge to respond.

**11:03**

*From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer: Smile, Ex*

**32.6%**

The glow of her phone screen illuminated her pale face, a stark contrast against the darkness of the room. That tenderness in Alexander’s eyes… it had once been hers, a warmth she had cherished.

But now, clarity washed over her like a cold wave. She understood her place in the grand scheme of things. A mere stand-in, a temporary fixture in the life of someone who would never truly see her.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify