Chapter 259

The ground beneath Alexander crumbled without warning.

There was no time to process the shock.

The cliff was giving way beneath his feet.

"Serena!"

The name tore from his lips before he could stop it—a name he hadn't uttered in over a decade.

Isabella's breath hitched.

That single word sent an electric jolt through her, propelling her forward. She lunged for Alexander just as the edge collapsed beneath him.

Her fingers closed around his wrist.

With a desperate yank, she pulled him into her arms as the ground vanished beneath them.

A deafening crash.

Alexander twisted midair, shielding Isabella with his body as they tumbled down the slope. Rocks bit into his back, but he didn't loosen his grip.

They skidded to a stop just short of a sheer drop.

A sharp gasp escaped him as pain lanced through his ribs.

"Are you hurt?" Isabella pushed herself up, rainwater dripping from her lashes as she searched his face.

"No." His voice was steady, betraying nothing.

She exhaled shakily, her body sagging against his.

The storm raged around them.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Alexander's voice was rough, his gaze burning into hers.

"Tell you what?" Her pulse stuttered.

"That our first meeting wasn't three years ago." His fingers tightened around her arms. "That it was thirteen years ago, on this very mountain. That you were the girl I saved that day."

Isabella went still.

He remembered.

That name—Serena—hadn't been spoken in years. Not since that stormy afternoon when a boy with piercing eyes had pulled her from the river and christened her with it.

Her throat tightened.

Too late.

It was all too late.

"Tell me, Isabella." His grip on her chin forced her to meet his gaze. "Why did you marry me under that name?"

A bitter laugh escaped her. "You remember that too, then."

His jaw clenched.

Of course he remembered.

He'd asked for her name that day. When she hadn't answered, he'd given her one—Serena. A fleeting moment, forgotten by morning.

Until she walked back into his life years later, wearing it like a ghost.

"You didn't need to remember," she whispered. "I never expected you to. I was just a stranger you helped once. Thirteen years ago, three years ago—it doesn't change anything."

Alexander flinched.

Guilt twisted in his chest. He'd saved her, yes. But he'd also forgotten her.

While she—

While she had carried that memory like a secret.

"I'm sorry." The words scraped raw from his throat. "If I'd known—"

"You still would have divorced me." Her smile was hollow. "A name doesn't change who we are. And you don't owe me anything. If anything, I should be thanking you. You saved me and left before I could."

"Then why?" His voice broke. "Why marry me at all?"

The question had haunted him for months.

"Does it matter now?" She turned her face away. "It's over. Let it go."

A shudder ran through her.

The rain had soaked through her clothes, leaving her trembling.

Alexander exhaled sharply.

Truce.

For now.

He helped her up, ignoring the protest of his own injuries.

No signal. No way to call for help.

"We're on the wrong side of the mountain," Isabella panted, stumbling forward. "No one comes out here."

Exhaustion dragged at her limbs.

Alexander caught her before she could fall.

"Gordon sent a search team," he said grimly. "But in this weather..."

Her knees buckled.

He caught her, her weight collapsing against him. The scent of damp earth clung to her hair.

How long had she been out here before he found her?

"We need shelter."

He lifted her into his arms, ignoring the pain in his ribs.

"Alexander." Her voice was faint against his shoulder.

"We're getting out of here."

"But what if—"

"I heard they call you the mountain goddess." A faint smirk touched his lips despite everything. "Funny. They call me the mountain god."

She scoffed.

"Then trust me, Isabella." His grip tightened around her. "If fate won't spare you, I will."

Her cold fingers curled into his shirt.

And for the first time in years, she let herself believe him.