Diana

Alex slowly rose up and Stella hand slowly moved away from his hair.

The situation was a bit awkward. Stella didn't know how she ended up with him, while Alex didn't know where to start his apology.

Alex got into a sitting position and looked into her eyes, while she still remained laying down, staring back at him.

Her expression remained the same, but tears were streaming down both sides of her eyes. "She's alive." Alex spoke, and Stella nodded.

"Are you okay?" he asked again, and she nodded.

Alex shut his eyes and opened it again. He's reluctant to touch, but couldn't help it anymore. He reached out his hand to her forehead and caress her hair.

Stella's heart leaped at his action. She wondered if he's doing that to make her believe him. She already did, and he didn't have to go this far.

Her heart is racing too much and she didn't like it. As long as Shane still lives; she didn't want him near.

They are over anyway. All this wasn't necessary. She admitted to herself that it actually felt good. It felt good that he's not angry at her and making her feel more awful about herself.

It's good that she didn't have to imagine his hatred towards her anymore. It's nice that he finally understood why he married that bastard.

She reached up her hand and moved his hand from her hair, which Alex did without resisting. "Where is she?" she asked in a soft tone.

"She's back at the place that she trained at." Alex replied, but still stared at his hand that got moved away.

"Was she hurt?" Stella asked again.

"I'm not sure. I just find out as well. I didn't know she was the one who went at Shane." Alex said.

"She will survive right?" Stella asked.

"She will. She must! he won't get away with it this time." Alex assured. "I'm sorry Stella," he raised his hand to wipe her tears but she moved away.

"Don't bother with Shane, just protect my child. Don't get involved with him and leave me to my fate." She said and cleaned her tears by herself.

"Stella, I can't let you go back to him. Not anymore." He said.

Stella smiled at his word, "why? because your business is doing okay? you have people who could protect you? you think you could protect me too?"

"Stella I.."

"If you're being protected, what about your mom, Dad, sisters, your innocent nephews. Those boys are still young and you want to get on his bad side.

While you're heavily guarded; those poor boys life will be at risk. That bastard will try to teach you a lesson for going against him.

You want those boys to be like our daughter? they should be enjoying their youthful life right now, and you want them to be targeted by that crazy bastard?

You want them to live in hiding all their life too? their parents who didn't do anything; you want them to become like me? not able to see their child and hoping their baby is safe wherever they were?"

"Stella calm down. He's not untouchable, he's going down." Alex cuts in as Stella was getting worked up and overly sentimental.

Stella chuckled in between tears, "Alex, his men still lives. Without him around, they will still give their life to secure his bidding.

That bastard was at an advantage Alex. He has no weakness you could explore. I'm his only weakness and yeah! you wouldn't hurt me right? that's just it.

If you want to get back at him, just kill me. But guess what? he will hunt you down till his last breath to revenge, which means more innocent lives will be lost." Stella said calmly, while smiling in between.

Alex was at a loss for words. That's exactly the impact Shane has on them. He didn't have anything to lose. The only person he cares about, they care about her too.

Unknown to them; Ethan's plan was the only safe way. Resulting to violence will only get innocent blood spilled.

He doesn't mind his men dying, but Nathan wouldn't just let his people die. If not for the fact that his partners in crime were worried about him dragging them in his mess; they are supposed to support him.

If he lost his men, they will at most, get more for him. They just didn't care about people's lives as long as it's not theirs.

"Stay away from him. If you want to protect someone; let it be our child. If there's a way to get rid of him, I will. I will protect my baby too.

Since he's not satisfied with having me and still want her dead; then I don't see why I have to keep enduring him.

I will put an end to it and if I got out alive; I can also be with my baby." she said with determined gaze, but her tears didn't cease falling.

She has had enough. She's tired of all this. She's tired of coping with Shane, when he will try to find Diana at all cost now.

"I won't let you go back to him!" Alex said firmly this time, which made Stella looked into his eyes.

"Don't act rashly. I know how you must feel. You're human, so don't let it seem like he made you feel incompetent. He's a monster.

There's a big difference between you two. It doesn't mean you're not a man Alex, It's because you have people to consider, you have loved ones, people you're scared of losing with a wrong move.

Don't give in to that feeling. If you lose it and decided to prove that you're a man; you will end up becoming like him.

Once people started dying because of your orders, Alex; you two aren't different anymore. It's just a matter of how many people died because of you and him." Stella said.

Alex's expression went pensive. That's right! It's exactly what he's thinking. He wanted to gather people from his connection and go against him, which will surely results to lost at both sides.

He really do feel worthless, but Stella was right; they won't be different from each other. He need to find an alternative approach.

"I understand." he said and wiped her tears with his thumbs, which she didn't evade this time.

"Give me a chance to make redemption. I'm sorry for everything you've been through. Can you not push me away after all this is over?" Alex asked.

Stella was surprised by his word. "We are not enemies Alex. If you don't mind, if you don't find me dirty for sleeping with that bastard; then we can still be friends. We have a child together after all." she replied casually.

Alex wanted to explain that he meant more than friends, but still decided to take it at her pace.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead, which made Stella's heart race madly, but still maintain a straight face, as she didn't want to care about heart at this point in her life anymore.

Pulling back, Alex forced a smile, trying to act friendly as she surely wanted for now. "You're not dirty Stella. You're the best woman I've ever met in my entire life." He said and scratched his head.

"After my mother." he added and both smiled.