< Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Menu Alanna suddenly stopped in her tracks. The two socialites, oblivious to her presence, continued their venomous gossip. "After the truth came out, Alfred was willing to marry Alanna out of pity. But she repaid his kindness by paying her birth father to have Karlie assaulted!" "Wait, wasn't Karlie raised by Alanna's biological father?" "Exactly! While fleeing to save herself, Karlie accidentally killed her adoptive father in a car crash during her escape. After Axel and Lilah found out, they were furious and couldn't tolerate Alanna anymore. So, they fabricated an excuse to pin the blame on Alanna and had her imprisoned." "Serves her right." "Yeah, she's so heartless. If anyone hurt my daughter like that, I'd end them." "No! That's not what happened!" A voice in Alanna's mind was screaming frantically, but her throat closed up; no sound came out. She'd tried explaining. But everyone only listened to Karlie's side of the story. No one believed her. After what felt like an internal storm, Alanna's emotions gradually calmed down. She lowered her head and took out the cheap silver locket from around her neck. They said silver brightened on the healthy. Yet after ten years against her skin, it had dulled like her ruined life. Alanna staggered forward weakly when suddenly, without warning, everything went black as she collapsed. Before completely losing consciousness, she glimpsed a man sprinting toward her, his broad chest and powerful arms catching her securely. A sharp scent of pine and earth, mixed with a masculine musk, filled her senses, bringing unprecedented peace. Alanna smiled, wondering, "Am I dying? At least my last dream is kind." "Mr. Murphy, we've confirmed Ms. Perry was once engaged to Alfred, but the arrangement was terminated. She's also not the real Perry heiress." Alexander Murphy didn't react to his assistant's report. His lean frame remained lazily sprawled in the chair, unmoving for a long time. The silver locket in his hand grew warm from his relentless stroking, yet he continued tracing its edges with hypnotic precision. After a while, the curtain rustled open and Jaylon Powell stepped out. "She's been severely malnourished, with dozens of old and new wounds on her body. If you hadn't brought her in yourself, I'd have called the cops." Alexander's fingers clenched around the locket. "Dozens?" "I'm giving her an IV with nutrients right now. She's so skinny," Jaylon remarked. "But this woman looks familiar. I feel like I've seen her somewhere before." Assistant Randy Obrien chimed in, "Three years ago, she was personally sent to prison by the Perrys…" Given the scandal's sensitivity, he left the rest unsaid. Jaylon suddenly remembered. "Oh, it's Alanna. She used to be stunning. Now look at her. I heard she was sent to prison because…" A sharp glance at Alexander's grim expression made him swallow the gossip. His gaze darted between Alexander and the unconscious woman. "You two know each other?" The woman lying on the hospital bed bore no resemblance to the word "beautiful". Dull and lifeless, she lacked the vibrancy expected of someone her age. If not for the faint rise and fall of her chest, one might mistake her for a - 10.42 30.00 < Chapter 4 corpse. Her emaciated frame resembled brittle twigs, her skin a sickly pallor devoid of any healthy flush. "We've met," Alexander finally answered after a long pause. Menu The sterile hospital air suddenly felt suffocating. He loosened his tie, his voice rough. "When will she wake up?" по "It's hard to say." Alexander's gaze lingered on Alanna's ghostly face. He reached into his suit pocket for a cigarette, thought of something, and then abruptly snapped it in half. "Stop… Don't hit me…" Alanna suddenly thrashed in her sleep, arms shielding her head. Alexander moved to hold her but stopped short when he got closer. Their eyes met as hers fluttered open. His hands hung awkwardly in the air, as if no longer under his control. "You're awake." Alanna stared blankly at Alexander. The first thing she felt upon opening her eyes was how handsome this man was. Then, upon seeing the locket in his hand, she reflexively snatched it back, her eyes filled with caution and hostility. "Why did you thing?" take my Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.