Chapter 173

Third person POV

The fiasco of a wedding had all but guaranteed a messy marriage. David Lake had never believed in sayings like that before, but now, as he and Amanda wallowed in misery, he couldn’t deny its truth. And whose fault was it? Ella’s.

She had ruined everything—again. Her ridiculously extravagant wedding had captured the attention of the entire kingdom. People couldn’t stop heaping praise on her and that bastard, Alexander Black.

And where did that leave David? Indebted to his brother-in-law, married to an angry, resentful wife, and saddled with a reputation too tarnished to even announce his intentions to run for king.

Still, David told himself it was only temporary. He could fix this. He could fix everything—as soon as he fixed Ella.

Once she was out of the picture, the media circus would fade, the rumors would die down, and he could begin winning the people over again. He would finally claim the throne that was rightfully his.

Amanda’s bitterness toward him would dissolve, and they could have their happily ever after. He would pay off all his debts and be free of everyone who had a hold over him.

As king, no one would dare insult him or question his decisions. The thought of those who had mocked or defied him groveling for mercy brought a fleeting smile to his lips.

But the smile faded almost instantly as the same nagging question echoed in his mind: How the hell are you going to do that?

The question always sounded like Amanda in his head, her hands on her hips, her sharp glare boring into him. It wasn’t far from reality; Amanda had asked him that very question more times than he could count.

But in truth, Amanda wasn’t glaring. She was concerned. Not that David noticed—he saw only what he wanted to see. Her words became fuel for his obsession with revenge, her worry twisted into a challenge he was determined to overcome.

A few days ago, David had received an anonymous letter. It was typed, unsigned, and delivered with no postmark. He had no idea who had sent it, but the message was clear: someone wanted to form an alliance with him.

The sender shared his hatred for Ella and Alexander and made it clear they wanted the pair eliminated—not for political reasons but for business ones. They even agreed that David was the rightful heir to the throne.

At first, David had wanted to accept the offer immediately. He needed allies, after all. But he hesitated. He couldn’t afford to be beholden to anyone else.

Besides, what reason did he have to believe this mysterious sender had a better plan for dealing with Ella and Alexander than he could devise himself?

Getting rid of Alexander was crucial. As long as Alexander Black was in the picture, David’s chances of becoming king were slim. Alexander was his only real competition, a man whose growing popularity was directly tied to Ella’s influence.

She had turned him into a beloved public figure, as if she had been deliberately rehabilitating his image.

The thought made David’s stomach churn. Had Ella and Alexander planned this all along? Was their “alliance” a carefully orchestrated effort to amass power and secure their positions?

It was the kind of scheme David would hatch himself, but he dismissed the idea almost as quickly as it came. Ella wasn’t that clever—or disciplined.

No, this wasn’t some grand conspiracy. It was just another twist of fate working against him. And he would turn it back in his favor. One way or another.

The mystery sender had even given David a gift to prove their sincerity, and he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Another letter arrived today and it included an address where the sender claimed that Dr. McIntyre was hiding.

The revelation both thrilled and troubled him. He had been searching for the doctor since her disappearance, but the fact that this unknown ally knew about his connection to her was unsettling.

It meant they had access to information that could be used against him—a liability he couldn’t afford.

Still, he saw an opportunity. If he could get to the address before anyone else, he could eliminate the doctor and ensure her silence. With Dr. McIntyre out of the picture, one of his most dangerous loose ends would be tied up, and there would be no one left who could expose him.

The thought brought a rare smile to his face. For once, luck seemed to be on his side. Eliminating the doctor would be a critical step toward securing his plans and moving on to the greater goals that lay ahead.

Ella POV

Alexander and I made our way to his office early the next morning. He ordered coffee and breakfast to be brought up, but other than that, he requested complete privacy.

His knowledge of the northern border and the Roguelands was far more extensive than I had expected. When I asked how he knew so much, he responded with a cryptic comment and quickly changed the subject.

It was the kind of evasive answer I had come to expect from Alexander, and, surprisingly, I didn’t mind. I was simply grateful for his expertise.

As we reviewed the maps and strategized for my meeting with Dr. McIntyre, I couldn’t shake the unease curling in my stomach. It still felt like I was walking into a trap. But having Alexander’s intel and support made it easier to focus.

If this meeting turned out to be a trap, I would be ready.

"You're absolutely certain this is what you want to do?" Alexander asked—for the fourth time today.

I took a sip of my coffee, hoping my expression conveyed my irritation, but it didn’t seem to have any effect.

I sighed. "Yes," I said as clearly as I could. "I’m sure."

"I’m surprised," Alexander replied, and I resisted the urge to remind him that we’d already had this exact conversation.

Neither of us had gotten enough sleep last night, and we were both still a little on edge, especially after yesterday’s argument. But that wasn’t why he kept asking.

He thought I was making a mistake.

"I’m not wrong about this," I said confidently. "I know it could be dangerous, and I know it could go badly. But that’s exactly why I have to be the one to do it. I’m not sending anyone else in my place and putting them at risk. Besides, whatever she wants to talk about, it’s probably not something we want to risk getting out in the open. Better to handle it ourselves than let it become gossip, don’t you think?"

Alexander nodded slowly. "I have to agree with that," he said. "Unfortunately."

"Why is it unfortunate?" I asked, ready to argue again if I had to. I wasn’t going to back down.

"Because I was hoping the next time we went out together, it would be pleasant," Alexander said, fixing me with a charming smile.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

"We just went on a date last night," I pointed out.

"Feels like it doesn’t count," Alexander said with a shrug. "We spent part of the evening with other people, and it ended in an argument. I think we need a do-over."

I shook my head in disbelief, but his grin told me he knew he’d successfully eased the tension in the room.

"You’re something else," I said softly, the warmth in his eyes making my resolve falter slightly. "So, you’re coming with me?"

"Of course I am," Alexander said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You’re my wife."