Chapter 18 Overseas , the preliminary phase of the dock warehouse renovation project was finally completed . A small celebration was held at the site . There were no lavish decorations or noisy guests , only Braelynn , Alexander , and a few of the core team members they had originally recruited . مر Alexander somehow managed to procure a case of beer and some simple food . The afterglow of the setting sun cast its light on the newly refurbished warehouse walls , and everyone wore tired yet hopeful smiles . Braelynn held a can of beer , gazing at the site that had begun to take shape before her , her heart filled with emotion . A few months ago , she had arrived here in a sorry state , her future uncertain . Now , though things were still difficult , at least she could see a glimmer of hope . None of this would have been possible without the determination and protection of the man beside her . She turned her head to look at Alexander , who stood next to her . He was tilting his head back to drink , his Adam's apple moving , the lines of his profile appearing especially strong in the sunset . He seemed to sense her gaze , lowered his head to look at her , his eyes questioning . 0059 Chapter 18 1768 Vodebers Braelynn raised her beer can , looking at him sincerely . " Alexander , thank you . Without you , this project could never have gone so smoothly . " Alexander looked at her face , bathed in the soft glow of the sunset , his eyes flickering slightly as he clinked his can against hers . " It was your planning that made it work . " His praise was still as concise and direct as ever , yet it made Braelynn's heart skip a beat . At that moment , a team member teased , " Alexander , Braelynn , you two work together so well ! Shouldn't you have a special toast just between the two of you ? " Everyone burst into laughter . Braelynn's cheeks flushed slightly . Alexander frowned , glaring at the person who had started the teasing . " What nonsense are you talking about ? Get back to work ! " His tone was stern , but he wasn't truly angry . The group dispersed with laughter , continuing to eat , drink , and chat . Just as the atmosphere was at its best , one of Alexander's men hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear . Alexander's brow furrowed instantly , his expression darkening . He glanced at Braelynn and signaled for his subordinate to leave . " What's wrong ? " Braelynn sensed something was off and asked . Alexander was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice . " Zachary is here again . This time , he's making a big show of it - he's booked the top - floor suite at a downtown hotel . It looks like he's here for you , and he won't give up until he gets what he wants . " The smile vanished from Braelynn's face in an instant , her heart sinking . 00 59 Chapter 18 208 Vouchers That suffocating feeling of being pursued and pressured washed over her again . She had thought that leaving America would free her from the past , but she hadn't expected Zachary to follow her like a persistent shadow . " Don't worry . " Alexander's voice interrupted her thoughts , steady and reassuring . " This is our place , not America where he can do whatever he wants . If you don't want to see him , no one can force you . He looked at Braelynn's slightly pale face , his gaze sharp . " What do you want to do ? Do you want to see him ? " Braelynn gripped the cold beer can in her hand , the chill helping her regain her composure . She lifted her head , her eyes fixed on the last trace of sunlight on the distant horizon , her voice clear and resolute . " No. " The humiliation , false accusations , confinement , and the incident he allowed to happen just to prove something to Carolina - all of it was like icy thorns lodged in her heart . No amount of regret or apologies could easily remove them . It had taken her so much effort to stand up again here ; she would never allow anyone to destroy that . " Alright . " Alexander nodded , not pressing further . " I know what to do . " After the celebration , Alexander drove Braelynn back to her apartment . When the car stopped in front of the apartment building , Braelynn got out and said to Alexander in the driver's seat , " Thank you for bringing me back , and ... thank you for standing by my side . " Alexander rested one hand on the steering wheel . In the darkness , his outline was a bit blurred , but his eyes shone brightly . 00 59 Chapter 18 " I told you , " his voice was low , " here , no one can force you to do anything you don't want to do . " 2811 Vouchers He paused , as if making a decision , and added , " From now on , I'll always be here at times like this . " It wasn't sweet talk , nor even a promise , but it was like a heavy stone dropped into the lake of Braelynn's heart , sending ripples through her . She looked at him . The night blurred their vision , but made the feelings stirring between them all the clearer . " Okay . " She replied softly , then turned and walked into the apartment building . ནཱས་ དཀ ; Alexander didn't leave right away . He sat in the car , lit a cigarette , the red tip flickering in the darkness . Only when he saw the lights come on in Braelynn's apartment did he stub out his cigarette , start the car , and drive off into the night with a low growl from the engine . There were some problems that needed to be dealt with in advance . He would not let anyone disturb the hard - won new life she had just begun . L Wilay 00 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!