Chapter 191:Fractured Trust

The silence in the room was suffocating as Alexander and Emma stood frozen in the doorway, each grappling with the gravity of Hazel’s words. Hazel remained on the doorstep, a smug look playing on her lips, enjoying the destruction she had wrought. Emma was the first to break the silence, her voice shaky as she forced out the words. “Alexander… is this true?” Her eyes were wide, pleading for him to deny it, to tell her that it was all some sick joke. Alexander’s throat tightened. His mind was a whirlwind of guilt, shame, and panic. He didn’t know how to begin explaining, how to make her understand the circumstances that led to this moment. He had made a terrible mistake, one he couldn’t fully comprehend, but the last thing he wanted was to lose Emma over it. “Emma… I…” He struggled to find the words, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” Emma’s face paled, and she took another step back as if physically distancing herself from him would shield