No Love Blooms Where You Walk

Chapter 6

After getting off the plane, I took a quick nap. When I finally checked my phone, it was flooded with missed calls from Alexander.

I didn't respond.

This property had been bought by my family before I married, and Alexander had no idea about it.

My leg injury had kept me immobile for three long months, but now that I could walk again, I decided to visit the flying club I had invested in before the marriage.

The club had grown exponentially over the years and had made a real name for itself in the industry. Max, the manager, was ecstatic to see me after all this time. He shook my hands with enthusiasm, his voice bubbling over with excitement.

"Miss Mace! We've been waiting for you to come by!"

"You don't know how crucial your investment was to our success. We've been hoping you'd come see the progress we've made."

I smiled warmly at him. "Max, thank you for everything you've done all these years. I've always wanted to visit, just never found the time."

Max waved his hand dismissively. "No need to thank me! The club has expanded into several new ventures these past two years. Let me show you the full report later."

After a bit more catching up, he arranged for me to take a test flight with one of the pilots.

On the plane, I met Jack, the pilot. He was young, charming, and full of energy. We hit it off quickly, bonding over the shared character in our names.

"Miss Mace," he said as he adjusted the controls, his eyes glinting with excitement, "I'm guessing you've flown a lot yourself, right? You seem really into it."

I nodded, watching the clouds roll by beneath us. "Flying has always been my dream," I confessed. "But after getting married, there were too many things to take care of. I barely had time for myself."

Jack's eyes softened as he glanced at the sky. "It's such a shame. The freedom of flying, it's something you can never forget once you experience it."

We landed, and Jack offered to buy me coffee. I hesitated for a moment, but then something hit me, this reminded me of my first encounter with Alexander.

It was a rainy day. I had just finished class and was hurrying to my flying lesson, holding my textbooks close. Suddenly, a car sped by, splashing mud all over me.

The car screeched to a halt, and Alexander, looking young and full of life, jumped out, immediately apologizing. He scratched his head awkwardly.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there. Let me take you wherever you need to go to make up for it."

I frowned, glancing down at my soaked clothes. "Okay, just be more careful next time."

When I came out after class, I was surprised to find Alexander waiting for me, as if he had been there all along.

"I was just waiting for you to come out," he said with a sheepish grin. "I feel terrible about earlier. Can I buy you a coffee to make it up to you?"

That was our first meeting. Back then, I never imagined we'd end up married. It all seemed so natural, from dating to marriage, it felt like things just fell into place.

I was naive. I thought it was love at first sight. But now, I know the truth. I was just a shield, a distraction for him. His real focus had always been Emily.

The gap between Emily and the Steele family was just too big. She came from an ordinary family, her parents hardworking but struggling to make ends meet. The Steele family, on the other hand, was a business empire that could shake entire industries with just a single move.

When Alexander introduced Emily to his family, the elders' reaction was immediate, cold stares, blatant disapproval. The pressure was unbearable, and Alexander, after much resistance, finally caved.

My family, though not as wealthy as the Steeles, had enough influence in the business world to offer opportunities for cooperation with their family's businesses. After much thought, Alexander chose to marry me, not because of love, but to keep up appearances and protect Emily.

I had no idea.

I devoted myself completely to managing the Steele family and believed, naively, that this was a happy marriage. After all, Alexander was always so convincing.

Even when there were rumors and scandals surrounding him, he always had an alibi ready for me, keeping my trust intact.

I believed him. Until I found out about Emily.

He'd never truly let go of her. He kept in touch with her secretly, using a string of fake affairs as a smokescreen to keep his family from knowing the truth.

I was the one in the dark. I helped him handle the family crises, never suspecting anything.

Then, the truth came out. And I felt like a fool.

I looked at Jack, the weight of my thoughts crashing down. I took a deep breath and, for the first time in a long while, nodded.

"Alright, Jack. Coffee sounds good."