Eternal bonds: love beyond blood
Unveiling shadows

The door to Alexander's office swung open, and Everly stepped inside, her resolve firm and unwavering. She had made up her mind—the truth, no matter how difficult, needed to be revealed. As her gaze met Alexander's, she could sense the gravity of the moment, the weight of the unspoken truths that had lingered between them.

Alexander looked up from his work, his gaze meeting Everly's. His eyes were a reflection of the complex emotions that had settled within him—a mixture of curiosity, concern, and a hint of apprehension.

Everly took a deep breath, her voice steady as she began to speak. "Alexander, there's something I need to tell you. Something that I should have told you sooner."

Alexander's expression shifted, a sense of anticipation replacing the wariness that had clouded his features. "Go on," he encouraged, his voice calm and attentive.

Everly's gaze held his, her words measured yet resolute. "Natalie… She was there that night at the masquerade ball. She didn't attack me herself, but she was there. She had these two people with her, and they… they were the ones who attacked me."

Silence hung in the air, the weight of Everly's revelation sinking in like a stone dropped into a still pond. Alexander's eyes narrowed, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger.

"Natalie?" he repeated, his voice low and laced with incredulity. "Why would she…?"

Everly's gaze remained steady, her voice unwavering. "I don't know all the details, but she was there. She orchestrated the attack, and if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here."

Alexander's fingers curled into fists, his jaw set with a palpable tension. The revelation was a betrayal that cut deep, a breach of trust that shook the foundations of their world.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration.

Everly's gaze held his, her own frustration mingling with regret. "I was scared. I didn't know who to trust, and I thought… I thought if I kept it hidden, I could protect myself and you."

The room was cast in a heavy silence, the truth that had been hidden now exposed—a truth that held the potential to change the course of their lives forever. Alexander's eyes bore into Everly's, his emotions a tempest that roiled beneath the surface.

Finally, he exhaled a sigh, his features softening with understanding. "Thank you for telling me. It changes everything."

Everly nodded, her gaze meeting his with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "I couldn't keep it hidden any longer. I want us to face this together."

As the truth settled between them, the darkness of Natalie's actions cast a long shadow over their connection. The bond they had forged now faced a new test.