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Chapter 156 Chapter 156

Alden was unfazed, stepping forward. "Zeke, I know you don't like me, but I would never do anything to hurt Luisa. What happened at my place was a misunderstanding

"A misunderstanding?" Zeke scoffed, incredulous. His fists itched to punch Alden, but he held back, afraid of hitting Thalassa by mistake. "You call her finding another woman naked in your bed a misunderstanding?"

Alden sighed heavily. "Look, I know it looks bad, but it's the truth. That woman is my ex. I have nothing to do with her anymore." He paused, his expression earnest. "But the one I owe an explanation to is Luisa. I need to speak to her." "You're delusional if you think I'm letting you see her." Zeke sneered. "In fact, I don't want you anywhere near my sister again. Got it?"

"When will you stop being such a controlling prick, Mathews?" Kris interjected from behind Alden and Thalassa.

Zeke's glare shifted to Kris. "Shut your mouth, Miller."

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Alden bolted past Zeke into the house, shouting as he went, Luisa! Gorgeous! Please, we need to talk!"

Fuming, Zeke rushed after him, grabbing him by the collar and spinning him around. He delivered a solid punch to Alden's mouth, sending him crashing onto the couch.noveldrama

"Get the hell out of my house."

Despite the punch, Alden remained undeterred. "I'm not leaving until I speak to Luisa. Luisa! Luisa!"

Zeke was ready to pounce again, but Thalassa grabbed his arm, holding him back.

"Zeke, no... Kris is right. You have to let Luisa handle this herself."

Zeke stared at her, disbelief flashing across his face. "But he hurt Luisa! He's been stringing her along even though he has another woman!" Thalassa pursed her lips. "There are always two sides to a story. Give Alden the chance to explain himself and let Luisa decide."

Before Zeke could respond, Luisa's voice came from the top of the stairs. "Go away, Alden. I don't want to speak to you." "See? She doesn't want to speak to you, so-" Zeke began, but before he could finish, Alden sprinted up the stairs, ignoring him. He stopped in front of Luisa, his eyes pleading. "Luisa, babe. Please, just hear me out."

"I said go away," Luisa snapped, crossing her arms. "I only came out to tell you to stop shouting and disturbing my peace. I'm trying to sleep." Alden shook his head, refusing to give up. "No. You came out because deep down, you know I deserve a chance to explain myself. Please." Zeke had followed Alden upstairs and grabbed his arm again. "Stop harassing my sister and get out-"

"Zeke..." Luisa interrupted gently, her voice hesitant. "I'll listen to him."

Zeke scowled but stepped back reluctantly, descending the stairs while throwing one last venomous look at Alden.

Luisa uncrossed her arms, giving Alden a hard stare. "You've got two minutes, Alden."

Alden managed a small smile. "Vanessa is my ex-girlfriend She cheated on me and left me for the guy she was cheating with. I haven't seen her in months." "And yet she somehow wound up naked in your bed." Zeke scoffed from below, while Kris rolled his eyes and Thalassa shook her head in mild amusement.

Alden continued, ignoring the snide comment. "Vanessa used the spare key she still had from when we were together. I know it sounds stupid, but after the breakup, I didn't even think about her anymore. And I never thought she would come back so it never crossed my mind to change the locks."

Luisa frowned. "That still doesn't explain why she was in your apartment in the first place."

"She came back because things didn't work out with the guy she left me for. She wanted to see f we could start over. But I swear, I didn't invite her. I made it clear to her that I want nothing to do with her, and I'll be changing the locks first thing tomorrow." Alden took a cautious step forward, now on the same level as Luisa. He gently reached out, his hand hovering near her cheek. "You believe me, don't you? Tell me you believe me, Gorgeous."

Staring into his deep brown eyes that seemed so sincere and pleading, Luisa wanted to believe him. But her chest tightened painfully as her fears came rushing back.

She had seen that same look before-in the eyes of all the men who'd eventually betrayed her. After catching her ex, Brandon, cheating, he'd denied it and gaslighted her until she believed that she'd only imagined things because she was insecure. As much as she wanted to trust Alden, she couldn't help wondering if he was doing the same thing.

Blinking back tears, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Alden, but I can't do this. Goodnight."

With that, she turned and hurried down the hallway to her room. Alden made a move to follow, but Thalassa's firm voice stopped him.

"No, Alden. You need to give her space.

Alden hesitated at the top of the stairs, torn between chasing after her or heeding Thalassa's advice. After a long moment, he sighed and headed back down the stairs toward them.

"She's given you her answer. Now leave and stop bothering her," Zeke demanded coldly.

Alden shot him an equally fierce glare, while Thalassa asked, "Is Luisa staying here tonight?"

"Yes," Zeke nodded.

"Then I'll sleep here too."

Behind her, Kris's face fell. 1