Shattered Vows The Billionaire's Obsession

Besides supporting myself, I had to support him too.

My already tight finances stretched even thinner.

I thought about throwing him out more than once.

But every time I looked at those hollow eyes, that dazed, lost expression—my resolve crumbled.

During that time, I worked nonstop. Classes in the morning, three jobs at night.

My phone rang in the middle of the night.

Alex Gilbert's drunk voice slurred through the speaker. "I'm wasted. Can you come get me?"

I hesitated. Right—today was his birthday. But what did that have to do with me?

I was about to hang up when a waiter cut in. "Miss, could you pick him up? We're closing."

No choice. I dragged myself out of bed.

This wasn't the first time I'd done this—except back then, it was Alex Delgado.

We were still in Eldoria. He'd gotten drunk at some party.

I had a raging fever, but I forced myself to drive to the bar anyway.

The lights were hazy, the music deafening. I spotted him in a corner booth, a blonde draped across his lap, his hand wandering up her thigh.

I rushed over and grabbed his arm. He shoved me off.

"Stop annoying me."

The force sent me stumbling. My hand slammed into the table's edge—right onto a fruit knife.

Blood welled up instantly, dripping onto the carpet.

The wound burned. But it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

"Get lost!"

"I don't need you meddling!"

He threw back another gulp of liquor without so much as a glance my way.

I snapped back to the present. I'd already pulled up to the hotel. The moment I stepped out, I caught the staff whispering nearby.

"Stay clear of that drunk. Guy's been hugging a utility pole and sobbing for half the night."

"Vivienne… I'm sorry."

I froze, keys in hand.

That was Alex Delgado's voice.

I followed the sound and found him clinging to a pole, crying like a wronged child.

"It's my fault. I made you sad."

"Why was there a men's razor at your place? Why'd you lie to me?"

His words came out broken, slurred.

"Why didn't you get mad when I sent you that photo with Mia? Don't you love me anymore?"

"How did you change so much in one month…"

He clung to that pole like his life depended on it.

My chest tightened. My eyes stung.

I tilted my head back, trying to hold in the tears.

But Alex Gilbert appeared in front of me, gently wiping them away.

"You came. Thought you wouldn't." His voice softened. "Why are you crying?"

"It's nothing. Wind's strong tonight—got dust in my eyes."

I turned away from his touch.

He didn't call me out. Just smiled, patted my head, and draped his jacket over my shoulders.

"Is that so?"

His gaze drifted toward Alex Delgado, still sobbing and making a scene in the distance.

I pulled out my phone and texted Mia Summers: Alex Delgado's losing it on the street.

I found out later that Alex Gilbert had dragged him out of bed to drink together. He'd picked this hotel on purpose—the one Alex Delgado and Mia frequented.

Mia arrived fast. She had nothing but a towel wrapped around her, irritation written all over her face.

"Keep this up and I'm breaking off the engagement."

Alex Gilbert smirked. "What a show."