A Warrior's Second Chance (Faye and Alexander) novel Chapter 365

Chapter 365

ALEXANDER

The phone was pressed to my ear, and my other hand traced the edge of the conference notes I had spread out before me.

It was one of those long, dry discussions about quarterly projections, supply chain issues, and the endless demands of running the company. I was already exhausted.

understand. No, I don’t think that’s feasible given the current production schedule. I can authorize a

but we’ll need to adjust timelines

stand. Thank you.”

ng up, setting the phone de

She was perched in one

compulsive way she

wasn’t much differ

I leaned back

suspicion

Her

rdingly. Absolutely, I’ll follow up with the team… yes, I

bing my eyes. That’s when I turned my attention to Faye.

er fingers working at her nails in that nervous, almost

e was thinking–or when she was trying not to think, which

her. “Hey,” I said, trying to keep my tone light, though I had the faint al energy.

nto me with those sharp, expressive eyes of hers. “Be honest with me,” she ng through the calm of the office, “do you think I have anger issues?”

sues? Faye? Of all people, it s

Was this about the convers

from?” I asked gently, leanin

mped a little in her chair, he

ice low but rushed, like sh

breakfast this morning.

posed to follow, but

ort laugh escap

lways seem

been me, if anyone. My mind ran

ast night? Something at the house?

hing at her nails. “I yelled at Martha,” she out everything before I could interrupt. the menu. The same menu I designed, ot upset. And I was acting crazy.”

It wasn’t loud or mocking, just that instinctive started rambling in her earnest, almost frantic

not slightly. She didn’t like it when I laughed at her

careful with my timing. “Wait–don’t laugh,” she said

d frustration. “I’m serious, Alexander.”

derstood. “I am taking you seriously,” I said, suppressing the

it’s kind of funny, in a harmless way. But I get it, I do. Go on.”

Hook that could have melted steel. “It’s not funny,” she said, her

Chapter 365

+25 Points

voice now a little louder, “and I don’t know why I even got so worked up about it. Martha did exactly what

she was supposed to do, and it’s… it’s ridiculous that I let it get to me like that.”

I leaned back in my chair, letting my gaze settle on her. “Babe, listen. It’s nothing to stress over,” I said

calmly, though I could see that she wasn’t entirely convinced. “Martha’s domestic staff. If she made a

mistake or didn’t check with you first, there’s nothing wrong with setting her straight. You’re Luna–this is

your space. Your decisions matter. She’s not going to take it personally if you correct her.”

Faye’s eyes narrowed slightly. She tilted her head, as if I was missing the point entirely. “You don’t get it,”

she said, a little more softly now, almost a whisper. “It’s not just that I told her. It’s… it’s how I reacted. I got

… angry. I ra y voice. I interrupted her, and then I yelled–literally yelled at her. Over breakfast. Over

someth

She

omething she didn’t even

ands gripping the a

he way her postur

nraveling a little

rong. And I can’t… I can’t remember the last time I-”

hair as if holding herself steady. I could see the tension

I realized she wasn’t just talking about the incident

e, over something that objectively shouldn’t have

tarted gently, w

s fine. Really. If

re about thing

gave a shor

e, letting

bice quie

minor th

I lean

That

St

ross and touch her arm, but I let my hands stay where they

t’s just Martha. You’re not an angry person. You’re passionate. That’s not the same as having anger issues

ke she didn’t quite believe me, and then h

ion. “I guess… I just don’t like that I reac

ed to be calm, composed, rational. I’m

tening. “Listen, you’re allowed to fee

ferent person. It doesn’t make you

he was trying to let my words s lightly fiddling with her nails

wn–out sound that seen

bed a

mitted, her

Glode over

to be frustrated.

ut things. That’s all.”

hing, just sat there for a

frustration and

g, she slum

f her restless energy, her body

ontemplative stillness I loved seeing in

arched her. There was something about the way

reflective that made me smile softly.

ough I didn’t expect a full answer. Sometimes just being

ine, before she looked away again, exhaling softly, “T

LUCK DRAW >

Vote

rection, repetition–that made everything else essing. Just action and response.

One pair to another, catching the small things.

y against his shoulder. “Relax this,” I said. ”

e it out on his own.

ncoordinated.

ou’re training. Slow it down.”

jore controlled.

em settle into the pace I wanted.

stepped in instinctively, catching his