“Mr. Graves—” Allen’s eyes widened, horror flashing over his face. “What if Mrs. Graves beats me up? Look at her expression. She’s… really angry.”
Alexander drew in a deep breath, rubbing a hand over his face. “Go,” he said firmly. “I’ll double your salary.”
Allen’s eyes widened further. He nodded at once. “Mr. Graves. I’ll—I'll go right now.”
He rushed toward Mia, stopping a careful distance away from the couch.
Clutching his hands together, he spoke in a gentle, almost pleading tone. “Mrs. Graves… Mr. Graves is very worried about you. Please don’t cry anymore.”
Mia kept staring ahead, tears still slipping down her cheeks, though more slowly now.
“Mrs. Graves,” Allen continued softly, choosing each word with care. “Mr. Graves was discharged from the hospital not long ago. He’s been having severe headaches because of his injury. Then he got into an argument with a business partner today…” He swallowed. “He was upset because you didn’t come to see him the last two days. He kept waiting for you at the hospital. When you didn’t come, he went looking for you instead. And when he saw you with another man… he lost control.”
Mia turned on him, eyes blazing through her tears. “If he loses his temper just by looking at me,” she snapped, “then he should stop appearing everywhere I am!”
Allen let out a nervous, shaky laugh. “Mrs. Graves… you know that’s not possible.”
Her eyes narrowed in anger, a fresh set of tears spilling free.
Panicking, Allen glanced over his shoulder. Alexander stood perfectly still, eyes dark and lethal, pinned on him—because Mia was crying harder now, not less.
Terror shot through Allen, and he quickly turned back to her.
“Mrs. Graves,” he rushed out, voice trembling, “you know how much Mr. Graves loves you. He can do anything when it comes to you. He’ll do whatever you want… but he’s also too attached to ever let you go. So just—just forgive him this once.”
As Allen spoke, Alexander walked over with the dinner tray.
Seizing the opportunity, Allen hurried away the moment Alexander reached the table, practically fleeing the room.
Alexander set the tray down quietly. “Come on,” he said softly. “Have dinner.” His gaze flicked over the food. “See? I brought everything you like. None of it is bland. All of it is spicy.”
Mia turned her face away without answering, sniffing as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She refused to look at him, her shoulders drawn tight, as if even his gaze felt unbearable.
Alexander sat down beside her on the couch, slow and careful, as though one wrong movement might shatter what little calm remained. He lifted his hand and gently cupped her face, turning her toward him with barely any force, his touch hesitant rather than demanding.
“Eat your food,” he said quietly. “After that… I’ll drop you at your apartment.”
She didn’t respond. Not a single word left her lips.
After a long moment, she reached for the dinner tray. Her movements were stiff, almost aggressive. She picked up her fork and shoveled a few bites into her mouth. She ate fast and forcefully, as if punishing herself, her jaw tight. She never looked at him.
Alexander watched her closely—every rigid movement, every shallow breath, every tear she forced back by sheer will. After a moment, he picked up his own plate and began eating too, though he barely registered the food.
She didn’t eat much.
Soon, she set the plate aside. Her hands rested on her lap for a second before she lifted her eyes and looked at him once—blank, distant, stripped of emotion. Then she stood up.
Without hesitation, she walked toward the door.
Alexander immediately put his plate down and rushed after her. “You need to eat more,” he said as he caught up, his voice tight with concern.
Mia didn’t answer. She didn’t even slow down.
She stepped out of the house and onto the street. Alexander reached forward, his hand closing around her arm as he turned her back toward him. Without giving her time to react, he took her hand and pulled her toward the car.
He opened the passenger door and guided her inside. “I’m taking you back,” he said quietly.
Mia didn’t fight him this time. There was no point. She sat silently, turning her head away the moment he closed the door.
