Alexander's brows knitted together as his piercing gaze landed on the unexpected guest. "What are you doing here?"

Benjamin Carter was no stranger to Alexander. Amy had spoken of her childhood friend countless times, painting vivid pictures of his tragic past during their late-night conversations.

She'd told him how Benjamin had lost both parents in a car accident at age seven, left in the care of elderly grandparents who passed away before he turned fourteen. The boy had been completely alone in the world.

It was Amy's mother who discovered Benjamin's extraordinary musical gift during that dark period, taking the troubled youth under her wing. But the trauma had made him withdrawn, rejecting all human connection.

For three long years, Amy patiently chipped away at his walls until he finally accepted her friendship.

Yet from their first encounter, Alexander had felt an inexplicable dislike for the violinist that he couldn't quite rationalize.

"You can dine with your ex-lover, yet find it strange for Celeste to share a meal with her oldest friend?" Benjamin's voice remained measured, but each syllable carried razor-sharp precision, stripping away the fragile pretense between Alexander and Victoria.

Alexander's jaw tightened, his aristocratic features hardening into an unreadable mask. "Amy, we're leaving."

Her response came frosty and detached. "No. My dinner with Benjamin isn't finished."

The temperature in Alexander's voice dropped several degrees. "This is your last warning. Come with me now."

Amy recognized that dangerous edge - the calm before the storm. If she resisted further, this wouldn't end with mere words. He had methods of ensuring her compliance.

The memory of that rain-lashed night flashed before her eyes - kneeling soaked and broken at his feet, begging for Liam's return.

"Have you learned your lesson?" he'd asked while thunder rolled overhead.

Tears had streamed down her face as she apologized for crimes she didn't commit. Alexander always knew exactly how to break her.

A bitter smile touched Amy's lips as she whispered, "No."

Alexander's eyes turned glacial. "Consider the consequences carefully."

She met his gaze defiantly. "Do your worst, Mr. Blackwood."

Liam had always been her weakness. But she was prepared to sacrifice even that, leaving Alexander with no leverage.

Turning to Benjamin, she announced, "Let's find somewhere with better atmosphere. This place has grown rather... stifling."

Benjamin hesitated only a moment before nodding. "As you wish."

Without sparing a glance for the stunned trio behind her, Amy collected her clutch and rose gracefully.

From behind them, Liam's small voice piped up, "Mommy, aren't you going to say sorry to Aunt Victoria?"

Amy's step faltered for just an instant before she continued walking, her spine straight, refusing to look back.

Alexander watched her retreating figure, his expression darkening with each step she took.

Even little Liam stared after his mother with confused eyes, sensing something fundamentally different about her today.

Noticing both males' attention fixed on Amy, Victoria's eyes flashed with something dangerous before she suddenly gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Oh!"

Instantly, Alexander and Liam's focus snapped back to her. Her face had gone deathly pale, her body swaying precariously.

Alexander's demeanor shifted instantly as he swept Victoria into his arms protectively.