Hera stood with her back to Alexi, clutching her books tightly. Her expression was hidden, she lowered her head, her shoulders shaking imperceptibly. Taking a deep breath, she turned around. Her face betrayed hurt and devastation, though she fought to contain her emotions and keep tears from welling in her eyes.
As the crowd of onlookers doubled in size and others still kept oning to watch themotion live that had already spread in the campus’s forum, Hera looked around with fear painting her face, as if she was just a lone rabbit in the midst of wolves ready to pounce on her.
Others began to perceive the beautiful girl before them as vulnerable, seemingly unable to defend herself, which made them quickly overlook the strength Hera had just disyed when she effortlessly flipped Alexi and threw him to the ground.
With trembling lips, Hera opened her small mouth but no words came out, only a small whimper. But since the whole ce turned so quiet, those who were close could hear her pitiful whimpers. Others already had the urge to go andfort Hera and confront Alexi since he was the one who came to Hera and started acting shit.
"Alexi, I already let you be with Minerva. You’ve already hurt me by cheating on me with her while we were still together, and I endured it, nursing my own wounds. Wasn’t that enough? WHY CAN’T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?!!!" Hera’s words dripped with resentment, her genuine feelingsid bare. After all, she had spent three whole years with him, genuinely trying to make things work.
"Wasn’t it enough that I worked multiple part-time jobs to support your dreams and your family? I did everything I could, Alexi. Is that your idea of being ’nice’? I prioritized you, treated you well, and gave my all so you wouldn’t feel alone, and so you’d have support when times were tough. But all that effort and love were thrown away. For what? Money? Your career? If that’s all you cared about, you could have just broken up with me, and I would have let you go. I wouldn’t have clung to you or demanded anything in return, because everything I did, I did out of love." Hera’s voice hupped, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked utterly heartbroken.
As Hera poured out her emotions, sympathy welled up among some listeners, though others remained skeptical, suspecting she was trying to portray herself as a victim.
"NO!"
Alexi’s loud roar abruptly interrupted their thoughts, shaking his head vigorously as he moved closer to Hera. She instinctively stepped back, struggling to maintain her bnce.
"I need you! You know I love you, even now. Please believe me, babe! It was just a momentarypse, like every man has. We all make mistakes, but my heart belongs to you, and I’ll alwayse home to you," Alexi pleaded, believing he was being romantic. But all Hera felt was disgust bubbling in her chest and bile rising in her throat as she stared at him.
She couldn’t fathom how she had endured three years with a man like him. Perhaps it was because, back then, the storyline hadn’t yet dictated the fate of the characters in the novel, allowing her some leeway for them. But now, with the storyline fully in motion, characters were moving toward their scripted paths, including awakening Alexi’s twisted nature.
And somehow, Hera felt bad for Minerva for being in love with such a selfish man, he only thinks of himself.
Hera shook her head. "No, Alexi. You don’t love me or anyone else. You only love yourself." Her attempt to appear tough came off as pitifully cute, but it resonated with onlookers who could sense the pain she must have endured while being harassed by her ex.
"What?! Is it because you’ve hooked up with Rafael Briley? Or is it because of that Xavier or Hendrix? Ha! Are you trying to prove you’re desirable by doing this?" Alexi’s eyes zed with defiance and anger. "TELL ME!!! DID THEY PUT YOU TO THIS?!!!"
Hera chuckled before speaking. "Even now, you refuse to admit your mistakes. Do you think I’m like you? Leeching off a woman to achieve your ambitions in life? Someone whocks the courage to stand on their own and use their own abilities to improve?" Hera sneered mockingly as she stared at Alexi, who now looked at her with wide eyes, clearly taken aback by her words.
"No one but you put me in this situation, Alexi," Hera said, her voice choked with tears. "I’m exhausted from catering to your demands, and you’ve pushed me to my limit. If I hadn’t chosen the entertainment industry, do you think I’d still have a chance to live, especially after Minerva cklisted me and couldn’t work a normal job?" Hera’s heartfelt words resonated deeply with everyone present, even those watching the livestream could feel her pain.
Yes, this altercation was being broadcasted live, thanks to one of Hera’s bodyguards discreetly filming amidst the crowd.
And yes, this would be the start of Alexi’s downfall.