Prison For Love, Drowning In Deceit

Alexis Brandt POV:

I woke to the sterile scent of antiseptic, the soft hum of hospital machinery. Austin sat beside my bed, his face etched with concern, but his presence felt like a violation.

"Alexis? How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice soft, almost tender. He reached for my hand.

My heart was a block of ice. I pulled my hand away. His tenderness felt false, a cruel parody of the man I once knew. I remembered countless mornings like this, him hovering, bringing me breakfast in bed, brushing my hair from my face. Those memories were poisoned now.

"I'm hungry," I said, my voice flat, emotionless. "I want the steamed buns from that place on the west side of the city." It was a test. Our favorite place, miles away, always a special treat.

Austin paused, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, then nodded. "I'll go get them," he said, rising.

The moment he left, a suffocating feeling choked me. I needed air. Needed to escape the confines of this room, the memories it evoked. My body was still weak, but I forced myself out of bed, my feet dragging. The corridor was empty. I needed to clear my head.

As I rounded the stairwell, I heard voices. Eva's, loud and triumphant. I froze.

"He actually believes it!" Eva crowed, her voice dripping with malice. "He's so stupid. He'll never check!"

Another voice, a man's, low and cautious. "Don't be careless, Eva. He's not as foolish as you think."

"Oh, please. You brought me to him, Julian. You'll make sure everything works out, won't you?" Eva giggled. "He' s so obsessed with Alexis, he just needed a replacement. And I'm the perfect one. Once I drain Aether Corp dry, we'll be set for life!"

My heart hammered against my ribs. Aether Corp. My company. My sacrifice. This was a setup. A corporate espionage plot. And I was the pawn. My hands trembled, but I fumbled for my phone, hitting record. Every word, every poisonous confession, was being captured.

A tin can, carelessly placed on the floor, clattered as my foot grazed it. Eva' s head snapped up. Her eyes, devoid of their usual sweetness, were sharp, predatory. "Who's there?"

I stepped out, my face a mask of feigned innocence. "No one," I whispered, trying to walk away.

But Eva was faster. Her true colors showed, a venomous flash. "Oh, Alexis," she hissed, her voice a cruel parody of her usual sweetness. "Just the person I wanted to see. I was wondering how to get rid of you."

Before I could react, she lunged, grabbing my arm. Then, with sickening precision, she feigned another stumble, dragging me with her. We tumbled down the long, unforgiving hospital stairwell. My head hit the concrete steps, sending stars exploding behind my eyes. Pain seared through my body.

Austin, steamed buns in hand, appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes wide with horror. He saw me standing, then Eva tumbling. His face contorted, a primal rage erupting. "Eva!" he roared, dropping the food, rushing to her side.

Eva, clutching her stomach, wailed. "My baby! Alexis... she pushed me! She tried to kill us!"

Austin's head snapped up, his gaze burning through me, hotter than any fire. "You evil bitch!" he screamed, his voice laced with pure hatred. "You're a monster! You're worse than an animal!"

I stood there, blood trickling from a cut on my forehead, my body a mangled mess of pain. I touched my chest, my heart strangely numb. There were no words. Only this crushing emptiness.