Chapter 28

Eleanor stood frozen in Luke's arms, staring in disbelief at the scene before her. Her mind went blank, and her heartbeat stopped cold. She could still see it—Alexander's eyes in that final instant before the car struck. There was no fear or regret, only a strange, almost peaceful clarity, as if his gaze were saying, "See? This time, I was the one who saved you!" "Alexander!" Luke was the first to move, clutching Eleanor tightly with one arm while shouting to the bodyguards and hotel staff who came running. "Call an ambulance, now!" The parking garage dissolved into chaos. Eleanor stared at the still, blood-soaked figure on the ground, her face drained of color and her body trembling uncontrollably. She no longer loved him, she told herself. Too much had passed between them. Yet, seeing a life slip away before her eyes, one that had saved her, it struck something deep inside her that she could not quiet. Luke felt her trembling and drew her closer, his warm hand gently stroking h