Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 293

Chapter 293

Elsa

Drake stood perfectly still, his face cast in shadow. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, without a word, he dropped a garment bag at my feet and walked away, his footsteps crunching on the gravel.

As he disappeared into the darkness, I felt hot tears sliding down my cheeks. Goddamn it. I was doing exactly what he always accused me of-playing the victim, selling a sob story. I wrapped my arms around myself, nails digging into my own skin.

I wiped the tears away angrily, smearing my makeup, but they kept coming, silent witnesses to ten years of accumulated pain.

The night air felt cool against my tear-stained face as I stood outside the Garcia mansion, trying to gather myself. My fingers trembled violently as I pulled out my phone to call a taxi, nearly dropping it twice. I couldn’t bear the thought of spending another goddamn minute in this place, with all those judging eyes and whispered rumors following me like hungry wolves.

“Fuck this whole night,” I muttered under my breath, pacing back and forth on the gravel driveway, my heels digging into

the stones with each angry step.

While waiting for the car, I sent a quick text to Ava: Are you okay? Where are you?

My phone rang almost immediately. Ava’s voice sounded slightly hoarse on the other end.

I’m fine. Already back at my apartment,” she said. “What about you? I heard there was some drama with Drake.

I let out a bitter laugh, running my free hand through my hair in frustration, “When isn’t there drama with that

controlling bastard?”

“I’m sorry, Elsa.” There was genuine sympathy in her voice. “You know, I actually tried to talk to him about you a few

times.”

“You did what?” I asked, surprised, my spine stiffening as I stopped pacing.

“I told him he should treat you better. That he was lucky to have someone like you,” she admitted. “Not that it did any good. Drake’s… complicated.”

I scoffed, kicking at a small rock with such force it skittered across the driveway. “That’s one fucking way to put it.”

“Look, I know he can be a complete asshole,” Ava continued. “But his father really messed him up. The way Marcus betrayed Drake’s mother by cheating with Miranda… Drake was just a child when it happened.

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Chapter 293

“That doesn’t excuse how he’s treated me for ten years,” I said firmly, my jaw clenching so tight I could feel a headache forming. “I don’t give a shit about his daddy issues. I just want him out of my goddamn life.”

“I understand,” Ava said softly. “Take care of yourself, Elsa.”

I ended the call and

address of a hotel

bed into the taxi, slamming the door with more force than necessary, giving the driver the e hospital where my mother was staying.

the ta

togethe

his ex

H

gh the nighttime streets of Twin Moon City, I stared out the window, watching the lights blur showed hollow eyes and smudged makeup. Drake’s face kept flashing in my mind-the cold fury in jaw clenched when I told him I was afraid of him.

e, I thought bitterly, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. He might show moments of humanity, his true nature always reveals itself eventually. Fucking predator.

with that life. Even if it meant struggling financially, even if it meant scraping by in the margins of society, I er live on my own terms than under his thumb for another day.

driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Everything okay, miss? You’re crying.”

n’t even realized tears were sliding down my cheeks again. I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand, aring what remained of my mascara.

m fine,” I lied, my voice cracking. “Just tired of all this shit.”

The hotel room was small but clean, with a decent view of the city skyline. I’d chosen a mid-range place near the hospital

-not too expensive, but secure enough that I wouldn’t have to worry about safety.

I kicked off my heels, watching them clatter against the wall as I collapsed onto the bed. I couldn’t bring myself to impose on Sophia anymore. Her coffee shop was in Moon Shadow territory, relatively safe from Black Obsidian influence, but I

knew Drake had ways of making lif

for people associated with me. I wouldn’t put my best friend at risk.

“Goddamn pack polit

Sitting up with

in about a

ousin

aring at the ceiling.

aking calculations. Oliver would be released from the hospital for us by then-somewhere affordable but decent, where my

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