Chapter 2 Critical Decision

Morning came, and the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the divorce papers. Alex had spent the night wrestling with his emotions, but he knew he had to make a decision. He couldn't continue living in this limbo, caught between a love that would never be returned and a life that offered him no respect or dignity.

He stood up, his body aching from the discomfort of sleeping in the chair, and made his way to the kitchen. He needed coffee and a clear head to face the day ahead. As he poured himself a cup, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw Mr. Gregory standing in the doorway, a look of concern etched on his face.

"Good morning, Alex," Mr. Gregory said softly. "Didn't sleep well, did you?"

Alex shook his head, taking a sip of his coffee. "No, not really."

Mr. Gregory sighed, stepping into the kitchen and leaning against the counter. "I understand how hard this is for you. But you need to think about your future. Holding on to something that isn't there will only bring you more pain."

Alex looked at him, his eyes tired but determined. "I know, Mr. Gregory. I just can't seem to let go."

Mr. Gregory nodded, his expression empathetic. "It's never easy to let go of someone you love. But sometimes, it's the only way to find peace. You deserve to be happy, Alex. Don't let this situation destroy you."

"I just can't believe that it's over. I love Selena so much, Mr. Gregory. How can I just walk away?" Alex asked.

Mr. Gregory placed a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder, then he said, "I know this is hard for you, Alex. But think about it. Selena has made her feelings very clear. Clinging to something that isn't there will only bring more heartache. For both of you."

Alex looked away, struggling with his emotions. The thought of signing the divorce papers felt like admitting defeat, like accepting that everything he had believed in was a lie.

"I hope you make the right choice. I'm off to work," Mr. Gregory said, and that was when Alex noticed that Mr. Gregory was dressed up for work.

"Alright, Mr. Gregory. Have a nice day," Alex said, and Mr Gregory nodded before walking out of the house.

Alex let out a loud sigh as he finished his coffee, then returned to the living room and sat on the couch. Lost in his thoughts, he heard footsteps descending the stairs. He looked up to see Mrs. Gregory coming down, her expression stern and unwavering.

"Good morning, Mrs. Gregory," Alex greeted her, standing up and bowing respectfully.

She ignored his greeting entirely, her gaze fixed on him with a mixture of impatience and contempt. "Have you signed the papers yet, Alex?" she asked coldly, her tone leaving no room for pleasantries.

Alex's heart sank at her words. He felt the weight of her disdain pressing down on him. "No, I haven't signed them," he replied, his voice steady but filled with sorrow.

"And why the hell haven't you signed them?" Mrs. Gregory asked in frustration.

"I can't sign them because I still love Selena," Alex answered.

Mrs. Gregory's eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Love? You call this pathetic display love? Selena doesn't love you, Alex. She never has. You're only deluding yourself by clinging to this sham of a marriage," she said harshly.

Alex flinched at her words but stood his ground. "I know Selena doesn't love me, but I can't just give up. I can't just walk away."

Mrs. Gregory took a step closer, her eyes boring into his. "You need to face reality, Alex. Your marriage with my daughter is over. Holding on will only bring more pain for everyone involved. Sign the papers and leave. It's the only way."

Alex felt a lump forming in his throat, his resolve wavering under the intensity of her gaze. He knew she was right, but the thought of letting go was almost unbearable. "I just need more time, Mrs. Gregory," he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper.

Her expression hardened. "You don't have more time, Alex. You have until the end of the day to sign those papers. If you don't, we'll make sure you're out of this house by any means necessary. Do you understand?"

Alex nodded, feeling a sense of defeat wash over him. "Yes, ma'am. I understand."

With a final, cold glance, Mrs. Gregory turned and walked away, leaving Alex standing alone in the living room. He felt a crushing weight on his shoulders, and the reality of his situation sank in.

As he sat back down on the couch, he stared at the divorce papers once more. The clock was ticking, and he knew he had to make a decision soon. The love he felt for Selena was undeniable, but so was the truth that their marriage was beyond saving.

"Oh God," Alex muttered, frustration engulfing him. His mind raced with conflicting emotions, and the weight of his predicament seemed almost too much to bear. He sank deeper into the couch, trying to gather his thoughts, when the sound of approaching footsteps broke through his reverie.

Mrs. Gregory re-entered the room, her expression as stern as ever. She walked straight up to Alex and handed him a piece of paper and a credit card. He took them hesitantly, glancing at the list of items.

"I need you to go to the mall and get these items," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Alex scanned the list, noting the various groceries and household supplies. He felt a sense of relief at being given a task that took him away from the oppressive atmosphere of the house, even if only for a short while.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, nodding as he took the credit card from her outstretched hand.

Mrs. Gregory's eyes bore into him, a mixture of disdain and impatience. "Make sure you get everything on the list, and don't take too long. We have guests coming over this evening, and I expect everything to be in order."

"Of course, ma'am. I'll be back as soon as possible," Alex said with a faint smile.

Without another word, Mrs. Gregory turned and walked away, leaving Alex standing there with the list and credit card in hand. He took a deep breath, feeling a momentary sense of freedom as he prepared to leave the house. The mall trip would be a temporary escape from the relentless pressure and disdain he faced within the Gregory household.

Alex went upstairs to take a bath. He didn't meet Selena in the bedroom; she must have gone to visit friends or attend a party. Alex immediately went inside the bathroom to take his bath, then dressed up as fast as possible before returning to the living room.

As he walked towards the door, Alex couldn't help but reflect on his situation. He knew that his time was running out and the decision he dreaded loomed ever closer.

"What a beautiful day," Alex muttered as he stepped out of the house. The fresh air felt soothing to his troubled mind. He walked to his car, a modest vehicle compared to the luxury cars owned by the Gregory family, and drove to the mall.

The drive gave him time to clear his head and think about his predicament. Minutes later, he arrived at the mall, a large complex filled with people going about their daily business.

Entering the mall, Alex pulled out the list Mrs. Gregory had given him. It was a mix of groceries and household supplies. He grabbed a shopping cart and began navigating the aisles, focusing on the task at hand to distract himself from his worries.

First, he went to the produce section, selecting fresh vegetables and fruits. Next, he moved to the dairy section, picking up milk, cheese, and yogurt.

As he filled the cart, he noticed the families and couples around him, seemingly happy and carefree. It was a reminder of what he longed for but seemed increasingly out of reach. He pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on completing the task.

In the cleaning supplies aisle, he picked up detergents, sponges, and other household essentials. He moved swiftly, efficiently checking off each item on the list.

With the cart nearly full, Alex headed to the checkout. He handed the credit card to the cashier, who swiped it without comment. As he loaded the bags into his cart, he felt a pang of uncertainty about what awaited him back at the Gregory house. He knew his reprieve was short-lived and that he still had to face the decision looming over him.

Lost in thought about his impending divorce, Alex left the mall, barely noticing the bustling crowd around him. His mind was swirling with memories and fears, making him oblivious to his surroundings. As he approached his car, he accidentally bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" Alex said immediately, not looking up as he bent to gather the bags he had dropped. When he finally stood, he found himself face-to-face with a stern-looking man in a tailored suit, flanked by two imposing bodyguards.

The man was one of the most influential men in the city, though Alex did not recognize him. The man's cold, blue eyes narrowed as he looked Alex over, and his men stepped forward with menacing intent.

One of the bodyguards, a hulking figure with a scowl, raised his hand to strike Alex. "Watch where you're going," he growled, his voice low and threatening.

Alex barely had time to react, and his apology got caught in his throat when the man raised his hand to stop his men.

"Enough, Salvador," the man said, his voice calm but authoritative. The bodyguards immediately halted, their expressions shifting to reluctant obedience.

The man looked at Alex with a mixture of curiosity and mild amusement. "Be more careful next time, young man," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "You never know who you might run into."

Alex nodded, still too stunned to speak. He watched as the man and his guards walked away. What Alex didn't know was that the man he had just bumped into was Alejandro Gambino, the most-feared man in the Mafia world. Alejandro Gambino was not just a Mafia boss, but he was also among the top billionaires in the country. But Alex didn't recognize him because he knew nothing about him.

Returning to his car, Alex loaded the bags into the trunk and took a moment to sit behind the wheel, gathering his thoughts. The trip to the mall had provided a brief escape, but the reality of his situation was inescapable. He started the engine and drove back to the Gregory house.