Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 

Ellie followed him inside and grabbed a pair of slippers from the cabinet. 

Alex looked at the men’s slippers and his face darkened. He kicked them aside and grabbed Ellie’s arm. “Whose are these?” he demanded. 

“They’re for Aaron,” Ellie replied, pulling free and continuing to change her shoes. 

Alex’s expression brielly softened, then hardened again. “Where are mine?” he asked. 

Ellie stood up, avoiding his gaze. She hadn’t prepared any for him. 

He kicked off his shoes and walked to the sofa in his socks. Ellie 

put the slippers away and joined him. 

She brought over the first–aid kit and started bandaging Alex’s hand. 

He lounged on the sofa, legs draped over the coffee table. Ellie knelt beside him, placing a pillow on his lap and guiding his hand onto it. Every accidental touch made her heart skip a beat, but she tried to bide her nervousness. 

“From now on, no more singing at that bar, got it? Alex warned. 

“It was just an accident tonight, Ellie murmured, keeping her head down. 

Alex sat up, throwing the pillow aside. You have no idea who that guy was tonight” 

“I know he’s someone important,” Ellie said. “But Whitney promised to keep me safe at the bar, and I trust her.” 

Alex shook off her hand and leaned closer, their faces almost touching. Ellie held her breath, frozen in place. 

“You trust everyone but me, right?” he said, his eyes boring into hers. They were so close that they could feel each other’s warm breaths. Yet, Alex had no intention of stepping back. 

As Alex’s anger seemed to rise again, Elle stepped back. 

“Why are you backing away?” he asked, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. 

Ellie tumbled into Alex’s arms, landing on the couch with a thud. Their eyes locked, and the room seemed to buzz with energy. Ellie’s breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. 

“Feeling shy?” Alex grinned, one hand will on her back. Ellie pushed against his chest, trying to create some space. 

“Remember when Grandpa brought you to our house? You’d cry at night, and my mom couldn’t soothe you, so she’d tuck you in with me. We slept together for weeks, Alex said, his voice teasing 

Ellie’s cheeks flushed deeper at the memory. She wnggled free and stood up 

Alex sat up slowly, watching her embarrassed expression, a satisfied smile on his face. 

Ellie took a deep breath and continued to clean Alex’s wound. He looked at her, his eyes half–lidded, as she finished up. 

Tm going to make some food, Ellie said, quickly gathering her things and heading to the kitchen. 

“Scaredy–cat” Alex called out, still lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone like he was at home. 

Elie nude something for Alex, but he turned his nose up at it and wouldn’t eat. 

Ellie’s appetite had vanished after the night’s events. After cleaning up, she found Alex still sprawled on the couch. She hesitated, then approached him. “Alex, I need to rest. Do you want me to call you a ride?” 

When he didn’t respond, Ellie realized he was asleep. She stood there for a moment, then went to her room, grabbed a blanket, and covered him cently 

Ellie wood in the living room, watching Alex sleep. He looked so peaceful, his face relaxed. She thought about how he had defended her earlier, his eyes fierce with anger, and her heart fluttered. But she knew deep down, this man wasn’t her 

The next day, Ellie woke up and got ready for work. As she left her room, she saw Alex on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and scrolling through his phone. 

“Let me check your hand, Ellie said, squatting down beside him. She carefully unwrapped the bandage and re–dressed the injury. Tm of to work Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave.” 

1:20 PM d 

Chapter 22 

Seeing Ellie about to leave, Alex frowned, “What about breakfast? 

“You can have something at home” Ellie replied, not waiting for his response before heading out. 

After Ellie lefi, Alex got up, still wrapped in the blanket, and wandered around the living room. He went to the kitchen, grabbed an apple, and munched on it as he walked into Ellie’s bedroom. 

“Heartbroken!” Alex thought, recalling Layton’s comment from the night before. He opened Ellie’s small wardrobe, filled with a few simple clothes. His gaze fell on a plain white dress. So basic he muttered. 

As he grumbled, Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out the pink diamond necklace he had thrown away during their light. 

Last night, after Ellie had fallen asleep, he had retrieved it from the trash and cleaned it with soap. Remembering how Ellie had looked when she tried on the necklace. Alex’s expression softened, and he hung it on the hanger with the white dress