Shattered by the Alpha Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 28

“My dad was targeted by criminals. He refused their proposal, so they ruined him. They bribed his lawyers and employees, accused him of crimes he didn’t commit, and sent him to prison. The humiliation was too much, and…he took his own life.” Her explanation was filtered and short, but I knew it would’ve been terrible to go through.

“What about your mom?” I asked gently. I’ve seen her around a couple of times back then, and she seemed like a kind person.

Her eyes clouded over. “She died of cancer. I borrowed money from my father’s friend to pay for her treatment, but he turned out to be another wealthy asshole. When I struggled to repay him, he threatened to sell me off unless I worked for him.” She delivers another brief explanation.

As I leaned against the table, I noticed a gift–wrapped box with a card that read “Happy Birthday Rose.” It was her birthday, and she was going through this?

“It’s your birthday?” I asked and she grabbed the box swiftly stuffing it inside her duffle bag.

“Yeah, it comes every year,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. I resisted the urge to chuckle, knowing that no one deserves to go through a tough day like this on their birthday. Feeling a sort of sympathy towards her I thought I could change that before I leave after all, she might get fired because of me. Knowing Taylor he wouldn’t back down unless he complained to her Boss.

I spotted a sealed jeroboam–sized wine bottle on the table and had an idea. “Do you mind if we celebrate your birthday?” I asked, holding up the bottle.

She turned around, surprised. “Don’t even think about it. That belongs to Bethany. She’ll kill me if she finds out, she might have forgotten to take it with her,” she denies.

I reassured her, “I can buy another one and keep it here so you don’t get in trouble.”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Okay, just one drink,” her voice firm but hesitant. “And please, don’t ask me any personal questions, okay? Please, Keith. I don’t want to talk about my past or my life.” She pleaded.

I held up my hands in a gentle surrender. “Scout’s honor, Rose. One drink, and no prying. I promise.”

Her eyes searched mine, as if ensuring I was genuine. Then, she nodded. “Alright then. Let’s get that drink.”

I opened the bottle and poured us each a glass, We settled onto the couch, easing past the awkwardness after a couple of glasses. At least she wasn’t fidgeting with her hands anymore.

1 broke the silence, trying to recall something, anything, we had in common. “So, Rose, what have you been up to since high school?” She shrugged, “Not much. Just, stuff. She was definitely masking everything she’s been through but I promised not to pry. Tsensed a hint of vulnerability behind her words, and my curiosity piqued. “Come on, Rose. I’m genuinely interested.”

She glanced up, her eyes locking onto mine for a brief moment before darting away. “I just…worked, and studied, and…existed, I

Idetected a hint of self–deprecation in her tone, and my perception of her began to shift. Maybe she wasn’t the stuck–up rich girl I Chapter14

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thought she was.

Every time I attempted to strike up a conversation with Rose, she’d respond with brief, one–word answers, clearly eager to end the exchange and escape as quickly as possible. The two–year age gap between us only seemed to widen the distance, making me feel like I was trying to reach someone on the other side of a broken bridge.

“What did you study?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

“Business Management,” she replied distractedly. “My father wanted me to take over his business.”

I remembered her stunning performance at the charity annual and couldn’t help but say, “I thought you’d pursue dance. You blew the crowd away, the night at the annual fundraiser for ill kids.”

She sighed, her lips glistening with wine. “I needed to support myself through college and help with my mom’s treatment. Dance wasn’t a practical option.”

My heart went out to her as I sensed the weight of responsibility she’d carried. The sparkle I remembered had dimmed, replaced by a hint of sadness and resignation.

“What about you?” She asked, her curiosity piqued. “I thought you’d be playing in the NFL by now.”

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I shrugged, unfazed. “Life had other plans. I’m an elevator engineer now.“‘

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, that’s cool!”

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