On the street, breath quickening, Luisa hailed a taxi and climbed in. When the driver asked where they were going, she was about to give him the address to her and Thalassa's house, but she hesitated. That was the place Alden was going to look for her at, and she didn't want to see him. Instead, she gave Zeke's address.

Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces, which was ridiculous. She'd only been Alden's girlfriend for less than an hour. She shouldn't be feeling this way.

When the taxi pulled up outside Zeke's house, she paid the fare and stepped out. The security guard greeted her, but Luisa barely acknowledged him as she made her way to the front door.

Before she could ring the bell, the door swung open, and Zeke appeared, concern etched on his face.

"Luisa, what happened?" he asked, gently taking her hand and pulling her inside. He shut the door behind them, then wrapped his arms around her.noveldrama

That was all it took for Luisa to break down. "You were right, Zeke," she sobbed, burying her face in his chest." You were right again."

Zeke looked at her in shock, trying to wipe the tears from her cheeks but they kept spilling. "What are you talking about? Why are you crying, Luisa?"

"Alden," Luisa choked out. "He has another woman. You were right. He was playing with my feelings all along."

Through her tears, Luisa explained how she had gone with Alden to his penthouse, only to find another woman waiting for him in his bed-completely naked.

Zeke's face hardened. "That bastard. How could he do that to you?"

Luisa leaned into him, and he tightened his embrace, his heart aching as he listened to her cry.

He hadn't wanted this. As much as he didn't trust Alden, he had hoped he was wrong about him. But Alden had proved himself to be just like the rest of the men who came close to his sister. Zeke led her to the living room and sat with her on the couch, holding her until her sobs subsided.

"Don't waste your tears on him, Luisa. He doesn't deserve them," Zeke murmured, brushing a strand of hair from

her face.

Luisa sniffed, pulling away slightly. "I'm tired. Do you mind if I stay here tonight?"

Zeke shook his head. "Of course not. You know this is your home, too. Let me take you to your room."

He took her to her room which was hers for whenever she wanted to spend the night over, watching as she got into bed after taking off her heels.

"Do you need anything? Water or..." Zeke asked softly.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you," she whispered, turning away.

Zeke nodded. "Good night, Luisa."

He switched off the light and closed the door gently behind him. But the moment he stepped out, his calm demeanor shattered, and anger surged through him. He hadn't intervened when Victor hurt Luisa. But there was no way in hell Alden Richards was getting away with this.

Storming downstairs, Zeke was just about to head toward the door when the bell rang. He squared his shoulders, already suspecting who it could be.

A monitor installed beside the door was connected to the doorbell. Turning on the camera, Zeke's jaw clenched at the sight of Thalassa, Alden, and Kris.

The bastard had clearly brought Thalassa along, thinking she could help him. With a scowl, Zeke opened the door.

"Zeke... good evening." Thalassa greeted softly.

"Good evening," Zeke replied curtly, though his glare stayed fixed on Alden, standing behind her.

"Zeke, we're worried about Luisa. Has she come here?" Thalassa asked, her tone concerned.

"Forgive me, Lassa," Zeke muttered before focusing his hard gaze back on Alden. "Why don't you come forward and ask me yourself, coward? Let's see how I'll cave your face in."