4 A - 4 Chapter 5 The phone slipped from Xander's hand and hit the ground with a dull thud . His mind went blank . His knees nearly gave out . " What ... what do you mean she left ? " he whispered . " Natalie loves me . She would never leave . You must've gotten it wrong . " " Nope , " Beta Rex said on the other end . " I wish I had , but it's real . And Alpha - you better get here . I'm barely holding her back . " Xander's voice cracked , his eyes wild with panic . " Don't let her leave . That's an order . Hold her do whatever it takes . " His thoughts spun out of control , chaos crashing through his chest . He had only one thought : find her . " Xander . " Skye's voice called from behind , soft and weak . He didn't even turn around . བཞིན་ གྱིས་ ང་ཚོ་ ལ་ He floored the gas , flying through red lights , barely missing two collisions . The entire way to the airport felt like a blur . How did she find out ? When ? Thirty minutes later , he stormed into the terminal like a man possessed . " Where is she ? Where's Natalie ?! " " She was right here - why the hell didn't you stop her ?! I'm going after her ! " He grabbed Rex by the collar , his voice manic . But Rex , already pissed off , swung and punched him across the jaw . " Pull yourself together , man . " Xander staggered back , panting hard . Once he stopped shaking , Rex spoke quietly . " That day - you called me ? Natalie overheard the whole thing . " Xander's lips parted , words trembling on the tip of his tongue . " If she heard ... why didn't she say anything ? She could've just told me- " But even he didn't believe that excuse . What was I supposed to say ? That my mate faked an medical condition and blamed it on his wolf - just so he could screw around without guilt ? Rex let out a long breath . " Walls have ears , Alpha . You love her so much - why'd you do something so damn dirty in the first place ? This is on you . " Xander collapsed into a seat , clutching his chest . It felt like his heart had been wrung out and left to rot . He knew this might happen . He just never thought she'd actually leave . Chapter 5 They had ten years together . He thought that counted for something . He thought she'd forgive him eventually . But he thought wrong . Rex pulled him up from the bench , half - carrying him like dead weight . " Come on . She left you three parting gifts . Said I should make sure you saw every one of them . " Xander barely noticed they were back at the hospital until Rex stopped at a door . " What are we doing here ? " Rex played a video from the room's surveillance monitor - Skye's old room . " She said you needed to see the truth with your own eyes . That not everything you ' see ' is what really happened . " Xander watched . Watched as Skye took my hand and stabbed herself with it . He stumbled back like he'd been punched . 48472 His legs buckled . His whole body shook " I promised I'd believe her . No matter what . And I didn't . " Tears spilled down his face . " That was just gift one , " Rex muttered . " Don't start crying yet . " The second gift waited in the nursery . At first , Xander didn't get it . Not until he saw the pod . Empty . " Where's my baby ? " he demanded , grabbing a passing healer by the collar . " Where the hell is my daughter ?! " The healer looked at him with disgust . " She was born fragile . Her lungs were underdeveloped - we almost lost her on the second day . " Xander remembered that day . He'd been too busy rubbing Skye's feet to deal with Natalie . Told someone to send her away . Told her if she couldn't even keep a baby alive , maybe it was better if she didn't survive . The healer's voice cut through the memory . " If it weren't for her mother caring for her day and night , that child wouldn't have made it past a week . " " But you pulled the plug . " You killed the miracle you were given . " " You'll never see that baby again . " Xander's skin went cold . His stomach turned to ice . He had done it . He had killed his own daughter . Chapter 5 A He didn't scream . Didn't cry . He charged straight at the wall and slammed his head into it . " IT'S MY FAULT . I DID THIS . I DESERVE TO DIE ! " Blood smeared across the white tile as he crumpled to the floor . Everything went black . When he came to , everything inside him felt dead . " Just tell me , " he croaked . " What was the last gift ? " Rex hesitated . His fingers twitched before he finally reached into his bag . He pulled out a document and dropped it into Xander's lap - a bond - breaking contract . " She said she never wants to have anything to do with you again . " Xander stared at the paper , his breath hitching , his hands trembling then , without a word , he ripped it down the middle . That was it . That was the one that broke him . His chest heaved . His hands shook . His eyes burned red with rage and grief . " I don't accept it , " he growled . " She's my mate . We were fated . We promised each other forever " " We said we'd live and die together . " " I know I was wrong - but I'll make it right . I don't care what it takes . " " I'm going to find her . If she hates me , fine . Let her . But I'm not letting her go . " Rex tried to stop him , but Xander shoved him off with terrifying force . Eyes blazing , breath ragged , he looked like a man who'd already lost everything . And would destroy the world to get it back . Chapter 5 In "CEO, The Maid is Your Stunning Wife" by CrushReel, a gripping tale unfolds as an adopted daughter faces a life-altering decision. To save her grandmother, she enters a marriage of convenience with a wealthy but paralyzed elderly man. However, a twist of fate, coupled with her severe myopia, leads her to mistakenly identify the wrong groom on the wedding day. This modern romance novel delves into themes of sacrifice, family bonds, and unexpected love connections. As the protagonist navigates the complexities of her unconventional situation, readers are drawn into a web of secrets and revelations. The unique blend of billionaire intrigue and sweet romance sets this story apart in the genre landscape. "CEO, The Maid is Your Stunning Wife" offers a refreshing take on contract lovers and secret identities, crafting a narrative that captivates with each turn of the page. Dive into this ongoing series at CrushReel for an engaging read that promises to keep you hooked till the very end.