After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

+5 BONUS

Chapter 10

“I’m not afraid of you anymore.” She folded her arms. “No matter what trouble you caused, I was the one who had to solve it. I paid your debts, smoothed over your scandals, protected the family name, and kept quiet so all of you could go on pretending this comfort came from your own merit.”

The color rose in his cheeks. The stranger beside her watched with a raised brow, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Elaine decided to lean into the situation. Matthew had intended to embarrass her, so she’d return the favor. The only difference was that Elaine spoke the truth while Matthew had nothing to offer but spite. (1

Elaine leaned forward and let a wry smile find its way across her lips. “You want to know what’s shameful? It has nothing to do with the fact that I’m here. It’s not because I’m finally living for myself. What’s shameful is that this family’s entire reputation rides on the daughter you never respected.”

A silence fell. Matthew was too stunned to have a retort.

The man let out a low whistle. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

Matthew turned to him, eyes blazing. “Who the hell are you?”

He grinned. “Just a guy who thinks your sister’s incredible.”

The fury in her brother’s face was almost comical.

Elaine’s tone turned icy. “If you have no respect for me, don’t come to me again. I won’t be handing out money, giving out favors, or offering you protection. I don’t owe you anything.”

She turned and walked off, heels clacking sharply against the floor. Behind her, her brother growled something under his breath and marched to the reception desk with the little model still on his arm, no doubt intending to charge something to the family account and save face

in front of her. 1

The receptionist gave a tight smile. “I’m sorry, sir. It seems your card has been frozen.”

His face turned beet red. Beside him, the model’s smile faltered as she looked from him to the useless card in poorly hidden disbelief. 2

Outside, the man jogged up to Elaine as she waited near the valet circle.

“You froze his card?” he asked, clearly impressed.

“Long overdue,” she replied without looking at him.

“Want a ride?” he offered, pulling out his key fob with a smirk. “We could go for a drive, maybe somewhere less dramatic.”

Elaine gave a polite smile. “No, thank you. I’m married.” (20

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Chapter 10

+5 BONUS

He tilted his head. “Really?”

“Yes.” Her voice was soft, but her expression was unreadable.

The words left a bitter taste in her mouth. At times, her marriage felt less like a marriage and more like a widowhood in all but name.

“That’s a shame.” His smirk faded slightly. He took one slow glance at her as she stood graceful, proud, and stunning even in her quiet sadness.

“You don’t seem married,” he said. “You seem free. And incredibly attractive.”

Elaine hesitated. The compliment hit unexpectedly hard. Lucas had never once told her she was beautiful. Never once had he paused to look at her the way this man had.

“Thank you,” she murmured. The valet arrived with Elaine’s car, and she took the key with a thank you before handing him a large tip. He leaned casually against her car, watching her with open curiosity.

“Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Maybe.”

She stepped into her car and drove off, the wind in her hair and a strange, fluttering ache in her chest.

She did not know what to do with this new feeling. Maybe he was simply the kind of man who charmed women as easily as he breathed. In the end, it did not matter. Everything he said made her heart soar.

She had never felt so seen.

Only after her car disappeared into traffic did he glance down at the phone in his hand.

Liam Vance.