After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Elle’s POV

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My blood run cold. Around me, the office lobby had erupted into chaos-employees were shouting, some

were crying, and others were frantically calling for help

“Someone call the fire department!” a voice yelled.

“They’re already on their way!” another responded.

My hand unconsciously moved to my stomach.

“Elle.” A warm hand touched my shoulder. I looked up to find Raymond Carter beside me, his brown eyes

filled with concern. “Are you alright?”

Before I could answer, Abigail appeared on my other side. Her gaze studied my face intently, and

something flickered in her expression.

Sophia materialized beside me, her silver hair catching the artificial light. Her hand found my other one,

squeezing gently.

“Elle,” she said softly, “whatever happens up there, remember that you’re not alone.”

“I’m okay,” I managed to whisper, though my voice betrayed me.

I couldn’t hear Brad’s conversation with his mother, but I could see his face growing darker with each

passing second.

“Yes, Mother, I understand,” he said curtly. “No, I won’t let anything happen to her.”

My chest tightened further.

Brad ended the call and immediately headed for the elevator, his entire demeanor radiating urgent tension.

“I can’t just stand here,” I said suddenly, surprising myself. “I can’t let her actually jump.”

Sophia looked at me with approval. “You’re braver than most people give you credit for.”

“We’re coming with you,” Raymond declared, and Abigai nodded in agreement.

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Chapter 142

As we rushed toward the elevator, I felt like the fragile happiness I’d just discovered with Brad was being torn apart before my eyes. But I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t at least try to help prevent a tragedy.

The elevator ride felt eternal. When the doors finally opened onto the roof, the scene that greeted us was worse than I’d imagined.

Mira sat on the very edge of the building, her legs dangling over the side. She was crying hysterically, her voice carrying across the roof.

“Brad, please!” she sobbed. “Please just talk to me! I can’t live without knowing if there’s still a chance for

us!”

Brad stood about ten feet away from her, his hands raised in a calming gesture.

“Mira, please come down from there,” he said, his voice steady but strained. “Whatever you want to discuss, we can talk about it safely.”

“No!” Mira’s voice cracked. “You’ll just dismiss me again! You’ll choose her over me!”

That’s when she saw us emerge from the elevator. Her tear-stained face twisted with fresh anguish when

her eyes landed on me.

“She’s here,” Mira said into her phone, her voice dropping to a broken whisper. “She is here to watch me

die.”

Brad’s eyes found mine across the roof. I saw something in them I’d never seen before-genuine fear. Not

of Mira falling, but of what I might be thinking. Of what I might decide to do.

I kept my expression carefully neutral, even though my heart was shattering. I couldn’t let him see how

much this was destroying me. I had to be strong.

“Mira, Brad tried again, “Elle has nothing to do with this. This is between you and me.”

“Everything has to do with her!” Mira screamed, her body swaying dangerously. “She’s the reason you won’t give us another chance! She’s the reason you’re breaking your promises to me!”

Her voice grew louder, more desperate. “You said you’d love me forever! Brad! I already apologized for leaving without a word! You promised me-you promised!”

I felt like I was intruding on something deeply private, yet I couldn’t look away. This was the history between them that. I’d never fully understood.

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Chapter 142

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“Brad,” Mira’s voice became a ragged whisper that somehow carried across the roof, “I just need to know one thing. Do you still love me?”

The silence that followed was deafening. Even the sound of approaching sirens seemed muted.

I watched Brad’s face, saw the war playing out in his amber eyes. I could feel my friends’ supportive presence behind me, but it felt distant compared to the weight of this moment.

I turned away, unable to watch his face any longer. My hands clenched into fists at my sides.

“Elle,” Sophia whispered urgently, “don’t listen to whatever he says up here. Whatever Mira forces him to

say-that’s not his truth.”

But Abigail was studying Raymond’s face, noting how his attention never wavered from me. A realization dawned in her eyes, and she squeezed my hand tighter.

“You know what?” Abigail said suddenly, her voice carrying a note of defiance. “If the whole world abandons you, I’ll still have your back.”

Sophia’s eyes flashed as she understood the challenge i Abigail’s words. The two women locked gazes over

my head.

Despite everything, I managed a small, shaky laugh.

But my attempt at humor couldn’t hide the tremor in my voice, or the way my hands were shaking.

Behind me, Brad’s voice finally broke the silence.

“I did love you once,” he said quietly, his eyes closed as f the words caused him physical pain.

My fingers clenched tighter.

“What about now?” Mira pressed. “Do you still love meow?”

Brad’s bitter laugh carried across the roof. “Mira, isn’t that exactly what you already know?”

“I never got a fair chance!” Mira cried out, her body tiltg precariously. “I never got to compete for you

fairly! It’s all her fault-that human took you away from me!”

Brad lunged forward slightly as Mira’s balance wavered genuine terror flashing across his face.

“Mira, please!” The desperation in his voice was unmistakable. “Come down and we’ll talk about anything

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Chapter 142

you want! I’ll agree to whatever you need-just please come down!”

I turned away completely then, my back to the scene playing out behind me. My confidence in myself, in

us, was crumbling with each word.

“Brad,” Mira’s voice turned soft, almost childlike. “Let’s start over. Give me a fair chance to compete for

your heart. Please?”

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After One Night with the Alpha