Page 136 of Steel Beauty

The stillness is heavierthan usual as I stir from sleep. Reaching out, my hand grazes the cool, empty sheets where Alex should be. The absence of his warmth hits harder than I expect—a sharp, undeniable reminder of what lies ahead. Tomorrow, I’ll be an ocean away, and this room, this bed, this life we’ve built together over these fleeting weeks will slip into the realm of memory.

Where is he?

I sit up slowly, letting the sheet pool around me. My gaze falls on his button-down, draped over the foot of the bed—a soft, rumpled remnant of last night, left behind without a second thought. Reaching for it, I press it to my face. The familiar scent of cedar and something uniquely Alex washes over me, tugging at the edges of my heart.

I slip the shirt on, its oversized fabric engulfing me. The sleeves hang well past my hands, and with each step I take, the soft material brushes against my skin like a whisper of him wrapped around me.

My hand drifts to my chest, pressing lightly against the fluttering ache there. How did it come to this? How did I let him slip past the walls I swore would protect me? This was supposed to be simple—a fleeting escape. But somewhere between his laughter and quiet strength, it became so much more. Now, the thought of leaving feels like tearing away a part of myself.

Light glows faintly under the door, and a low murmur reaches my ears—Alex’s voice coming from down the hall.

My steps are quiet as I follow the sound, unease winding through me. Rounding the corner, I hear another voice—that of a woman. Confusion prickles at me, and I pause, straining to make out their words.

“Alex, you’re making a mistake.”

“Keep it down,” he says, frustration tightening his words. “She’s asleep, and I don’t want her to know you’re here.”

My breath catches.

Celeste.

My stomach twists in knots, the remnants of sleep chased away by the sharp jolt of unease. Why is she here, in his home, at this time of night? Pressing myself against the wall, I strain to hear, my heart pounding as fragments of their conversation drift toward me.

“Alex.” Celeste’s voice simmers with intensity as if she’s barely holding back. “You’re ignoring everything we have, everything that’s been right in front of you this whole time. Soul Sync matched us because we belong together. Why can’t you see that?”

“You and I are in the past.” His response is calm but icy, every word clipped and controlled.

She doesn’t let up. “Your relationship with the American is fleeting. What we have is real, Alex. How else would we have been matched?”

Her words spill out, desperate and full of conviction as if she genuinely believes every syllable. And maybe she does.

“Enough,” he shouts, his frustration finally breaking through. “What we had ended with that fake pregnancy stunt. No, actually, it was over before that. I’d already decided to end things with you.”

There’s a pause, the silence heavy, and then her voice cuts through, tight with hurt. “I didn’t make the video to hurt you. The positive pregnancy test was to give you a glimpse of how you’d feel if you thought we were going to have a baby together. I did it because I loved you, Alex. I wanted to marry you. I still do. I thought the extra push would help you see that we belong together.”

“Loved me? You manipulated me at every opportunity. Lied to me. Used me. That’s not love.”

Her words take on a defensive edge, laced with a plea. “You know I’m not good at expressing emotions and love.”

He lets out a bitter laugh, the sound cold and sharp. “That’s your excuse? Emotional incompetence doesn’t justify manipulation. You don’t get to rewrite what happened to suit your narrative.”

“People make mistakes.” Her trembling words barely hold steady. “I can be what you need if you’ll give me another chance.”

Alex lets out a low, humorless laugh that slices through the tension like a blade. “That’s never going to happen.” His words are final, unyielding, leaving no room for any other interpretation.

“You’re caught up in a fling with her, but she’ll be gone soon. And then you’ll have no one but me.”

“What I have with Magnolia is not a fling. I love her deeply—more than I’ve ever loved anyone. She’s changed everything for me, Celeste. And even if it were only a fling, it’s none of your concern. You need to let this go.”

“You’ll regret this.” Her words are laced with an icy warning. “You’ll see.”

“I have a lot of regrets, Celeste, but Magnolia will never be one of them.”

Her footsteps pause, and for a moment, I think she’s leaving. But then she starts in again, shifting to something smug, dripping with venom.

“You know… I wonder how Soul Sync would feel if they knew about your relationship. They might frown upon such unprofessional conduct. Fraternizing with a client isn’t very ethical, is it?”

Alex’s words come out cold and controlled, each syllable edged with tension. “What are you trying to say?”

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