Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Chapter 95

-Chapter 95

Lucia sat in the library of Alexander’s brownstone, cradling a cup of tea that had long since grown cold in her hands. The afternoon sun streamed through tall windows, but she couldn’t shake the chill that had settled in her bones since Marco’s violent intrusion two days ago. Every time she closed her eyes, she could feel his hands reaching for her arm, smell his desperation, hear his voice claiming she belonged to him.

Alexander paced the Persian rug in front of the replace, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in sharp, clipped tones to someone on the other end. His usually calm demeanor had been replaced by something harder and more dangerous since the attack.

“I don’t care what it costs,” Alexander said into the phone. “I want the best security firm in the country. Background checks on every employee. Twenty-four hour surveillance. Do you understand me?”

Lucia watched him pace, noting the tension in his shoulders, the way his free hand clenched and unclenched at his side. She had never seen Alexander this shaken, not even during the most stressful business negotiations.

He ended the call and turned to face her, his dark eyes filled with concern that bordered on panic.

“The restraining order paperwork is ready,” Alexander said, settling into the chair across from her. “My lawyer can file it this afternoon. All you need to do is sign.”

Lucia set down her teacup and shook her head. “I’m not signing it.”

“Lucia, please.”

“No, Alexander.” Her voice was firm despite the tremor she felt inside. “I won’t let him turn me into a victim again. I won’t hide behind legal papers and let him think he has power over me.”

Alexander leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly together. “He put his hands on you. He tried to force himself on you. In my house, where you should have been safe.”

“But I was safe,” Lucia said quietly. “Because you were there. Because you protected me.”

“What if I hadn’t come home early from my meeting?” Alexander’s voice cracked with emotion. “What if I had been ten minutes later? What if he had…”

“But you weren’t late,” Lucia interrupted, reaching across the space between them to take his hand. “You were exactly where you needed to be, exactly when you needed to be there.”

Alexander stared down at their joined hands, his thumb tracing circles across her knuckles. “I keep thinking about all the ways it could have gone wrong. All the ways I could have lost you.”

“You didn’t lose me,” Lucia said softly. “I’m right here.”

“For now,” Alexander said, his voice heavy with worry. “But what about tomorrow? What about next week? What happens when he decides to try again?”

The question hung in the air between them, loaded with fear and possibility. Lucia knew Alexander was right to be concerned. Marco’s behavior had crossed a line from desperate to dangerous, and there was no telling how far he might go.

“He won’t come back here,” Lucia said, though she wasn’t entirely convinced herself. “Your security made it very clear he

wasn’t welcome.”

‘Security that failed to keep him out in the first place,” Alexander replied grimly. “Security that let him get close enough to put his hands on you.”

Lucia could see the guilt eating at Alexander, the way he blamed himself for not anticipating Marco’s actions. “It’s not your fault.”

“It is my fault,” Alexander cut her off. “I should have seen this coming. I should have known he would try something desperate when he realized he was losing everything.”

Alexander stood and resumed his pacing, his energy too restless to remain seated. “I’ve doubled the security detail. James and William will take shifts outside the house, and Robert will handle the perimeter surveillance. No one gets on this property without multiple clearances.”

“Alexander.”

“I’ve also hired a bodyguard for when you leave the estate,” he continued, not seeming to hear her. “Catherine Miller, former Secret Service. She’ll be with you whenever you’re at the office or shopping or anywhere public.”

Lucia watched him organize her protection like a military operation, seeing the fear driving his need to control every variable.

Chapter 95

“Alexander, stop.”

He turned to face her, his expression wild with worry. “Stop what? Stop trying to keep you safe? Stop trying to make sure -that madiian never gets near you again?”

“Stop blaming yourself for something you couldn’t have prevented,” Lucia said, standing and moving toward him. “Stop turning our home into a fortress because you’re afraid.”

“I am afraid,” Alexander admitted, his voice breaking. “I’m terrified. I’ve waited years to have you, and now that you’re mine, the thought of losing you makes me feel insane.”

Lucia reached up to cup his face in her hands, feeling the tension in his jaw, the slight tremor in his cheek. “You’re not going to lose me.”

“You don’t know that,” Alexander said, his eyes filling with tears. “You don’t know what Marco is capable of when he’s desperate. I saw the look in his eyes when I pulled him away from you. That wasn’t just anger, it was obsession.”

The words sent a chill down Lucia’s spine because she had seen that look too. The way Marco had stared at her, like she was an object he owned rather than a person with her own choices.

“Then we deal with it,” Lucia said firmly. “Together. But we don’t let fear control our lives.”

Alexander pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly she could feel his heart racing against her chest. “I can’t lose you, Lucia. I won’t survive it.”

“You won’t lose me,” she whispered against his neck. “I promise you won’t lose me.”

They stood there for several minutes, holding each other in the afternoon sunlight, both trying to draw strength from the other’s presence. But Lucia could feel Alexander’s fear vibrating through his body, could sense his mind racing through worst-case scenarios.

The sound of footsteps in the hallway made them both look up. Lena appeared in the doorway, her face pale with concern.

“Dad? Mom? I heard shouting. Is everything okay?”

Alexander and Lucia exchanged glances. They had tried to shield Lena from the details of Marco’s attack, telling her only that there had been an incident that required increased security.

“We’re fine, sweetheart,” Lucia said, though she could hear the strain in her own voice. “Just discussing some safety

measures.”

Lena stepped into the room, her sharp eyes taking in their tense body language. “This is about Marco, isn’t it? About what he did when he came here.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “Lena.”

“I’m not a child anymore,” Lena said firmly. “I can see that you’re both scared. I can see that something serious happened.”

Lucia looked at her daughter, this brave, intelligent girl who had become such an important part of her life. Lena deserved honesty, not platitudes.

“Marco came here and behaved inappropriately,” Lucia said carefully. “Your father stopped him, and now we’re making sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“Inappropriately how?” Lena pressed.

Alexander’s protective instincts flared. “Lena, that’s enough.”

“No, it’s okay,” Lucia said, placing a calming hand on Alexander’s arm. “She needs to know.” She turned to Lena. “Marco tried to convince me to leave your father and come back to him. When I refused, he became aggressive.”

Lena’s face darkened with understanding. “He tried to hurt you.”

“He tried to force his will on me,” Lucia said. “But your father protected me. Just like he always will.”

Lena moved to stand beside them, creating a triangle of family unity. “What can I do to help?”

“You can trust the security measures we’re putting in place,” Alexander said. “You can let James or William drive you to school instead of taking your own car. You can be careful about who you talk to and where you go.”

“And you can remember that we’re a family,” Lucia added. “Whatever happens, we face it together.”

Lena nodded solemnly. “I understand.”

Alexander’s phone buzzed with a text message. He glanced at it and his expression grew even more grim.

“What is it?” Lucia asked.

“Security footage from the front gate yesterday,” Alexander said. “Marco drove by three times, just sitting in his car, watching the house.”

Chapter 95

The revelation sent ire through Lueia’s veins. Three times. He had been stalking their home, studying their routines,

lauring his next move.

-“That settles it,” Alexander said, his voice hard with determination. “Catherine starts tomorrow. And I’m having motion

sensors installed along the entire perimeter fence.”

“Alexander.”

“No arguments,” he said firmly. I don’t care if it feels like overkill. I don’t care if it makes our home feel like a compound. I will not take any chances with your safety.”

Lucia could see there was no point in arguing. Alexander’s need to protect her had moved beyond rational discussion into primal instinct. And perhaps he was right to be paranoid. Perhaps Marco’s obsession had progressed beyond simple desperation into something truly dangerous.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “Whatever you think is necessary.”

Alexander pulled out his phone and began making calls, arranging meetings with security consultants and private investigators. As his voice filled the room with plans and precautions, Lucia found herself thinking about the man she had once loved, the father of her children.

When had Marco become someone to fear? When had his love turned into possession, his desire into obsession? The man who had once promised to cherish and protect her had become the very thing she needed protection from.

Lena slipped her hand into Lucia’s, offering silent comfort. “He won’t hurt you again,” she said with quiet conviction. “Dad won’t let him.”

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