Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 85

Elena didn't even get a chance to react before someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a guest room.

The lights were off.

The door shut behind her with a heavy thud, sealing the space in darkness.

A faint cedarwood scent lingered in the air.

Then a familiar voice brushed against her ear, low and controlled. "Stay quiet. If someone hears, how am I supposed to cover for you?"

It was Alexander. Elena instantly went still.

Her back pressed against the solid door, his body close, almost pinning her in place. His breath fell warm against her cheek, and she could feel the heat building between them.

There was alcohol on his breath.

"You've been drinking?"

"A little."

In the dark, he leaned in, his forehead resting lightly against hers.

"You're not exactly in great shape. And you're still drinking like this?"

She frowned, instinctively disapproving. She had no interest in ending up with someone who couldn't control his drinking.

"Bad mood."

"Why?"

Elena didn't understand.

Alexander let out a quiet, amused scoff. "Guess you don't know much about how territorial men can get."

Elena froze. Because of seeing me with Nathan?

But their relationship was just an arrangement.

Still, thinking about how Alexander had been acting lately, she hesitated, then asked, "Do you... like me?"

The room fell silent.

So quiet she almost thought he wouldn't answer.

Then his voice came, low and steady. "That has nothing to do with liking you."

His hand, still warm, slid up to her neck.

"There's one thing you need to understand," he continued, voice dropping slightly, "you're mine. I don't share. Got it?"

"...Nathan and I have been married for five years..."

Wasn't it a little late to be talking about boundaries?

She didn't get to finish. Alexander covered her mouth.

"I don't need the reminder. I know."

His voice turned colder. "From today on, no holding hands, no kissing him. Break that rule, and you don't get a dime."

Elena went quiet. Yeah, he is definitely a little drunk.

Even his control felt... looser than usual.

"I need to go." Her voice came out muffled.

Alexander clearly didn't like that answer. He lowered his head, his lips brushing, then pressing against her neck, his hand gripping her waist as he pulled her closer.

Elena bit down on her lip hard.

They were right by the door. Anyone walking past could hear something. At least the door behind her was sturdy enough to hold their weight.

Then her phone started vibrating inside her bag.

The sound was sharp in the quiet room.

His expression tightened with each empty room.

Only two left. He stopped at the second-to-last door. Before he could open it, a sound slipped through from inside, low, intimate, unmistakable.

Nathan's face darkened instantly. Elena! There was no way he could mistake it.

She actually dared to fool around with another man behind his back, right here?

Anger surged, hot and blinding. Without another thought, Nathan lifted his leg and slammed his foot hard against the door.

"Elena—"

A scream cut him off. Inside was not Elena.

A completely different couple scrambled in panic, yanking the blanket over themselves.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" the man snapped.

"Sorry..." Nathan backed out immediately, embarrassed.

If she isn't here, then where?

Just then, the last door opened. Elena stepped out.

She froze when she saw him. "What are you doing here?"

Before Nathan could respond, the man from earlier stormed out, already dressed, grabbing Nathan by the collar.

"You think one kick and it's over? Apologize."

That kick had nearly ruined him. There was no way he was letting it slide.

Elena looked between the furious man, the awkward Nathan, and the woman still in bed.

It clicked instantly.