Alpha alec's redemption (Sadie) novel Chapter 223

I exhaled deeply, like I’d been holding that breath for days. Then I turned back to my research, steeling myself to return to the books. I was just starting to get into the right headspace when the door creaked open behind me.

My entire body tensed as Piper stepped inside, her expression distracted, almost hesitant.

Of all the times…

The memory of our last encounter slammed into me like a train. My instincts screamed at me to bolt—just get up and leave—but my legs didn’t move.

Why now?

She hadn’t taken more than a few steps before her head snapped to the right—straight toward me. Our eyes locked. For a heartbeat, she froze, stunned. Then she took a step back, like she might bolt too.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she squared her shoulders and disappeared among the bookshelves.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, my body sagging with relief. I considered leaving—again—but something kept me rooted. I couldn’t keep running. Not from her. Not from this.

So, I stayed.

I reached for another book, trying to focus, but I felt her return before I even saw her. She sat a few tables away, with her own stack of books. I tried to concentrate, but her presence was like static in my mind—disruptive and impossible to ignore. Her scent carried memories I didn’t want to face. Memories of a time when we were inseparable. Before everything fell apart.

Before the goddess decided to ruin everything.

Bitterness threatened to rise, but I forced it down. The past was what it was. No amount of resentment could change it.

Still, the minutes crawled by. I kept losing my place in the text, my thoughts drifting to her. We didn’t speak, but I could feel her watching me, her eyes flickering toward me every so often like she wanted to say something—but didn’t.

I was just about to give up and walk out when I heard the sound of a chair scraping. I glanced up.

Piper was standing right in front of me.