~Alistair's POV~
Alex's sobs grew louder, a jagged, ugly sound that filled the room. He buried his face in my chest, his words muffled but clear enough to shatter my heart.
"It was for Sarah... it was for her birthday celebration. My mother forced me... She threatened to pull every investor from the business if I didn't attend. She said she'd ruin us both. And seeing how much she's always made things difficult for you, I decided to go and keep the peace, especially since my cousins were going too."
"I lay there, frozen, the air in my lungs heavy and hard to draw. I let the silence stretch between us for a long, tense moment before forcing my voice to stay steady. 'Okay… I understand. You went for a birthday, not for work. So tell me, what happened at the party?'"
"Nothing," Alex gasped, his grip on me tightening. "Nothing happened, Alis. They just celebrated."
"And?" I pressed, a sharp flutter of anxiety coursing through me. "What else, Alex?"
