Chapter 2: The First Move
Chapter 2: The First Move
Alexander remained on one knee beside Sofia for a long moment.
His fingertips barely touched the bruises on her wrist, as though afraid even the gentlest pressure would hurt her more.
"When did this happen?" he asked quietly.
"An hour ago," Sofia whispered.
"And Javier watched?"
She nodded.
Alexander closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, every trace of emotion had disappeared.
He stood, pulled out his phone, and made one call.
"It's me."
"I need every surveillance camera from the Grand Crescent Hotel between 10:00 p.m. and midnight."
A pause.
"No warrants."
"I'll handle the consequences."
He ended the call.
Elena stared at him.
"You still have those connections?"
Alexander answered without looking away from Sofia.
"I never lost them."
Within forty-five minutes, a secure email arrived.
Security footage.
Hallway cameras.
Elevator recordings.
There was Javier escorting his mother to the honeymoon floor.
There were four women entering Sofia's suite.
There was Javier standing outside the door for nearly thirty minutes.
Never once trying to stop them.
Then came the audio from the hallway.
His voice.
Calm.
Cold.
"If she resists, teach her a lesson."
"But don't bruise her face too badly."
The room fell silent.
Sofia buried her face in her hands.
"I married a stranger."
Alexander's jaw tightened.
May you like
"No."
"You married a coward."
