Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

Nancy and Todd exchanged a look, both utterly stunned. Their disbelief was written all over their faces.

Layton cast a sympathetic glance in Alex's direction before quickly dropping his head, wanting no part of the escalating drama

Alex's emotions were at a breaking point. His eyes were tinged red, the veins in his neck visibly pulsing. Without realizing it, his hands gripped Ellie's shoulders tightly as though trying to anchor himself,

He bent slightly forward, bringing himself to her eye level, their gazes locking in a tense standoff

For the first time, Alex attempted to explain himself. That time, it was...."

"Don't you dare call it an accident, Ellie interrupted, her voice sharp and unyielding. "You knew I couldn't swim, Alex. Not only did you refuse to save me, but you didn't even give me a chance to explain myself, did you?" Her words hit him like a sledgehammer. Alex felt a painful squeeze in his chest, leaving him momentarily breathless, "Ellie..."

He wanted to explain himself, but no matter how desperately he searched for the right words, they

"When did this happen?" Nancy's voice broke through the tension, rising in disbelief.

wouldn't come.

Alex slowly released Ellie, taking a few steps back

Slap! Todd's hand struck Alex across the face with a resounding crack. "You bastard How could you."

Alex didn't respond with his usual firry outburst. Instead, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his red-rimmed eyes fixed on Ellie with an unreadable intensity,

no words came. The silence was suffocating

His eyes flickered and his Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak, but no

Nancy, her expression filled with worry, grabbed Ellie's hand tightly and pointed an accusing finger at Alex. "What is wrong with you? Even if you're planning to be with Haley, how could you treat your sister like this!" "She is not my sister, Alex snapped, his voice rising with frustration. "I've told you before, and I'll say it again. She never was, and she never will bef' His composure shattered as he turned abruptly, making for the door. ving!" Ellie stepped forward, spreading her arms to block his path.

"You're not leaving!"

Alex glared at her, his eyes filled with a fiery rage that seemed ready to consume everything in its path. Yet Ellie didn't back down. "You need to promise, right here and now, in front of Mom and Dad, that you'll leave Aaron alone." "Ellie, are you fucking kidding me!!" Alex's anger exploded as his hand shot out, grabbing her by the neck. "I told you it wasn't met"

Ellie, though caught in his grip, didn't flinch. Remained in her weak position, her eyes met his, unwavering and filled with determination. "It was you, Alex. No one che would be capable of something this cruel:

ey stood locked in this volatile stalemate, neither willing to back down. Layton and Nancy rushed to separate them

They

act this way!"

Tears streamed down Nancy's face as she screamed. "Why are you so stubborn? I would rather not have a son than see you act

Todd's face turned an alarming shade of gray as he pointed at Alex. "I don't care if you did it or not. From this moment on, Aaron's safety is your responsibility. If anything happens to him, you'll answer to me!" "Why?" Alex snapped, his voice vibrating with rage. "If he can't handle this job, then he shouldn't be doing it What do you want me to do! Babysit him? Does he think he's some kind of big shot?" "This is not up for discussion, Todd said firmly.

Nancy tried a softer approach, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Alex, ever since Orion... ever since we lost Orion, your father and I put all our hopes in you.

"It doesn't matter if you achieve anything great in life, but can't you at least be a good person!"

At the mention of Orion, Nancy's voice wavered, and for a moment, her grief threatened to overwhelm her.

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Chapter 11S

However, the swallowed the pain, pushing it down. "Orion is gone. And then we found Ellie. She's such a sweet girl. Even if you don't like her, you can't hum her"

Alex's face contorted with fury, his chest heaving as he struggled to keep his composure. "She's just upset is all of this really necessary!"

Nancy's expression handened, her voice turning icy. "Aaron is Ellie's brother. Whether you like it or not, his safety is now your responsibility. If he breaks a leg. Il break mine. If he dies. I'll follow him to the grave." You're going to the hospital right now. If Aaron so much as feels uncomfortable, you'll answer to me said Todd

Nancy took Ellie's hand, following Todd out of the room.

Todd and Nancy had made in clear Aaron's safety was now inextricably tied to Alex. Any move Alex made against Aaron would only end up hurting himself.

Alex felt the pressure from his mother, his hands planted firmly on the table as he struggled to suppress the growing frustration within him. His gaze followed Ellie's retreating figure, fixed and unyielding.

You seriously promised Haley you'd spare her brother's life?" asked Layton as he returned from escorting Todd and Nancy, along with Ellie, to the elevator.

The two moved to the lounge area, where Layton poured Alex a glass of whiskey and handed it to him. "Tell me honestly. This wasn't your doing,

"You don't believe me either, Alex muttered, grabbing the glass and downing its contents in one go, frustration evident in his movements.

Layton offered a sheepish smile and sat across from him. "I wanted to believe you, I really did. But after what you've done to Aaron and Ellie for Haley's take

"It wasn't me." Alex snapped, the memory of Ellie's revolute, hate-tinged eyes flashing in his mind. He tugged irritably at his collar and poured himself another drink, quickly draining the glass.

Layton didn't intervene, lounging lazily on the sofa while fiddling with a metal lighter. "If it wasn't you, then it has to be the Owens family" he said nonchalantly. "So what are you going to do about between Haley and your parents as well as Ellie?" Alex's chest heaved with barely contained emotion. His eyes narrowed, the turmoil in them quickly concealed by a practiced blankness

The next morning, at the gates of the Warren Manor, Haley was already waiting. Before Alex's car could even fully enter the premises, she stepped forward to block its path.

ar window rolled down, but Alex didn't step our

The car

Haley tried the passenger door, but it was locked. Frustrated, she walked around the car to stand by Alex's side

Through the open window, her voice was laced with grievance. "I called you so many times last night, Alex, but you didn't answer even once. Why?"

Turning to face her, Alex replied coolly, "Last night, Aaron had an accident on Wooten Road. Don't tell me you didn't know."

Haley's denial came instantly, but her darting eyes betrayed her uncase "Why would you say that? What does Aaron's accident have to do with me?"

Feigning composure, she added, "IFI really had been able to do it, why would I even need to beg you for help!"

Alex's gaze sharpened as he studied her every expression. So, are you here because you've made up your mind?"

Haley's hands clenched tightly at her sides, and her voice wavered with suppressed emotion. Years ago, I sacrificed my ability to have children to save you. Alex. I've never once demanded that you take responsibility for me. You're the one who pursued me first." Her voice grew more emotional. I thought you genuinely cared about me. That's why I gave up on Aaron and chose to be with you.

"But now, you're using Ethan's case to force me to break up with you. Don't you think that's cruelly unfair to me?"

Alex's tone remained steady. "Yes, I pursued you, but the choice was always yours to make. And now, the choice is still yours. I can save Ethan, or we can keep things as they are between us. But you can only pick one"

At that moment, Ellie emerged from the manor's gates, ready to head to work.

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Alex, still scated in his car, watched as Ellie walked straight past, her eyes fixed ahead, showing no sign of acknowledging him.

Bashing the door open, Alex got out, intending to speak to her, but Ellie gave him no chance. She got into her car and drove away without a bakward glance.

Haley stood there, her jaw tightening as she took in Alex's forlor expression while he watched Ellie's car disappear. Jealousy burned in her chest, and the bat her lip hard enough to draw blood.

As long as I'm here, Alex and Ellie will never be together, she thought bitterly.

By late morning, at Jaslands Hospital, Ellie stepped out of Aaron's room and found herself face-to-face with Alex in the hallway.

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