Whispers of Fortune

ng every moment of their conversation, every nuance in his voice. Alexander Hale had bared more of his soul to her than she had expec

Mark, remain

r," he barked during their mornin

Something that makes people

sn't sure what kind of story she wanted to write anymore. The line between journalist and confidante had blurred, and she was walking a tight

e tomorrow?

ed, surpri

" he said cryptically. "It migh

er to keep her distance, but curiosit

car," Alexa

into the countryside. She tried to distract herself by reviewing her notes, but

ma stepped out and saw Alexander waiting for her, dressed casually in

said, gesturing to the modest

ys assumed Alexander had grown up in a gran

tries took off," Alexander explained as they

lieved in hard w

ess chan

red the house. It was simple and warm, with old wood

re of a smiling woman with kind eyes. "She always said this house kept us

nd led her to the backyard, wh

ing distant. "He loved planting things, watching them grow. I didn't

ach out, to comfort him, but she held back. "You've been through a lot," she s

is expression unreadable.

all from Mark. She ignored it, knowing he would only demand an

trouble?" he asked, hi

scandal. Something flas

nt?" Alexander aske

I want to tell the truth. But I don't k

truth is messy, Ms. Carter. It doesn't fit neatl

this assignment with the intention of exposing him, of tearing down the carefully con

e newsroom to find Mark waiting f

" he said, tossing a

der had made years ago to acquire a struggling tech company. The emails pai

u get these?"

. "They were leaked to a dozen outlets. If

le story. She had seen firsthand how Alexander had worked to make amends

, narrowing his eyes. "Don't t

we're telling the real story, not

n't pay the bills, Carter. I want

he had a choice to make, and either option would come

ou," she said, h

ight?" he asked, h

he coffee shop near t

wary. Emma slid the folder of leaked emails acros

his voice calm but heavy. "I've been deali

asked. "Who would wa

"Competitors, former partners... take your pick. Th

But you've changed. You're not the

ly. "But the past doesn't disappe

his. I'll tell the real story." Alexander met her gaze, and for a moment, the guarded ma

ed-a sensational exposé that would grab headlines but leave out the complexities of Alexander's journey. Or she coul

sed her for offering a nuanced portrayal of Alexander Hale, while others accused

didn't call Emma after the article was publi

n her apartment, her phone bu

for tellin

ver her. For the first time, she felt l