Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

The small dining table couldn't fit everyone, so we moved to the coffee table in the living room. When Aaron saw Diana opening a bottle of wine. he frowned. "You and Lacey both drove here: you shouldn't be drinking" Diana replied, "If I drink too much. I'll just crash here."

Aaron sighed, feeling helpless

"Listen up girl" Diana said. "If you're feeling down, let's drink and sleep, tomorrow we'll wake up with no worries. The more Aaron tried to stop her, the more Diana filled her glass and handed it to Ellie.

So, one bottle of wine was shared by three girls, and Diana drank two-thirds of it on her own. An hour later, Aaron watched helplessly as the only one drunk-Diana-stood on the sofa dancing jazz. He furrowed his brow, feeling powerless. Joanna came out of the kitchen. "Aaron, you should take Diana home. Don't let Mrs. Grant worry."

Joanna. I'm leaving now. Aaron's coming to pick me up," Lacey said, gathering her things.

Ellie grabbed Diana's bag to help, and Diana flopped back onto the sofa. "Ellie, I'll sleep with you tonight."

Ellic looked at Aaron, who was at a loss for words, Aaron sighed. "I get her some water. Take Lacey downstairs."

Ellie escorted Lacey downstairs, where Layton was already waiting. She greeted him and turned to head back to take care of Diana. After Ellie left. Lacey got into the car.

"Layton, tell me does Alex like Ellie?" Lacey asked eagerly as soon as she got in

Layton paused, his hand still on the seatbelt, turning to look at his sister. "How do you know?"

Lacey slapped her thigh. "I knew it!" She quickly told him how Alex had come to the apartment earlier in the day with his parents to deliver money. "But, Alex was blind, falling for Haley, When did he start liking Ellie!" Layton frowned at his sister's gossiping. "Stay out of this."

"Come on, Layton, tell me! I won't be able to sleep tonight!" Lacey whined, shaking Aaron's arm.

Sighing. Layton gave in. "Alex liked Ellie long before Haley, but he didn't realize it."

Lacey's eyes widened. "But if he likes Ellie, why is he so mean to her!"

Layton leaned back in his seat. "You wouldn't understand. Alex has always been bossy." He frowned deeper, continuing. "Ellie has been living with Alex for over ten years, and the Thompson family never interfered.

To Alex, Ellie is part of the family, meaning she's his. Ellie insisted on going to a university out of town, Alex had picked the perfect major for her. but she wouldn't budgenoveldrama

"She stayed away for over three years, and when she returned, she never went back to the Warren family, Alex was upset."

Lacey pouted. "He's such a petty guy!"

Layton rubbed his temples. "At that time, Alex was looking into the necklace that Haley had. While waiting for Ellie to come back, he couldn't stand

so he went to the hospital to get Ellie to help him go after Haley

Lacey

ey shook her head. "What an idiot! Just because he was mad at Ellic, he thought Haley was the one who saved him and started protecting Haley. Layton explained, "At first, it was out of spite, but then he found out that the summer he got into trouble, Haley happened to be in Nopolis with her

parents

"Haley kept hiding the truth about the necklace. 50, Alex misunderstood. He thought Haley sacrificed her ability to have kids to save him, and he

felt like he had to take care of her."

Layton continued, "The more Ellie pushed him away, the more determined he became. The more Ellie ignored him, the more he focused on Haley, creating a cycle that pushed Ellie further away" Lacey exhaled deeply "Wow, Alex is really messed up" 1/2

Layton shook his head. The day after Alex proposed to Haley, Alex had sent Ellie abroad. That day. Alex regretted it and was panicking. He got drunk that night and let his words ship, which foverdicard" Layton smirked. "But by then, it was too late. He was engaged to Haley, and he had no right to get involved with Ellie anymore. But he go. So, he tried to force Ellie to compromise, even threatening her dad." Lacey finally started to understand Alex's confusing behavior. It was a nightmare.

couldn't let

Sighing. Lacey said. "Even so, he doesn't deserve Ellie. Everyone knew how Haley had hurt Ellie in Ameria, yet Ellie was compelled to defend Haley's innocence."

Layton held his tongue. "It's too complicated to explain. Just let him dig his own grave."

Lacey perked up. "Well, now that Ellie's finally out of his grip. I'm going to introduce her to a rich, handsome guy in a couple of days"

Layton started the car. "Have you forgotten about that athlete who sent Ellie love letters? Alex chased him so relentlessly that the poor guy had to drop out of school. Try introducing and see if that madman doesn't kill the new guy" Lacey shrieked and quickly tucked her hands into her sleeves. "I'm staying at a hotel tonight."

Layton drove her straight to the hotel owned by their family. Over half an hour later, Layton finished his shower, wearing only a bathrobe, and knocked on the door of Alex's private suite with a bottle of wine in hand. "Anyone who doesn't know any better might think I'm the one misbehaving" Layton teased. "Showing up at a man's door in the middle of the night with a bottle of wine-how low can I go?"

Outside, the freezing cold was a sharp contrast to the warmth inside the room. Alex stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, wearing black pants and a white shirt, barefoot. Hearing Layton's mocking tone, he turned. Layton added with a cruel smirk, "You might as well sell all your cars and get rid of all your clothes. Why not slice open your insides and wash them

Alex glared at him, his expression darkening

Layton pushed a glass of wine toward him. "What's the point of keeping your ring finger? You might as well chop it off. After all, you'll never wear a wedding ring that belongs to you and Ellie in this lifetime." Alex clenched the glass tightly.

"Is it true you went to

to Ellie's apartment today and got kicked out!" Layton taunted, quickly dodging as Alex shot him a murderous look. With a chuckle, he added, "Ellie didn't even look at you. Honestly, your attempts at playing the brooding billionaire are pretty annoying "Shut up!" Alex snapped.

Layton fell silent for a moment before asking, "So, what are your plans now?

Alex tilted his head back and downed his drink in one go.

Noticing Alex's unstable mood, Layton remarked, "Considering what you've done to Ellie, even three trips to the hell wouldn't be enough for your penance. I'm afraid your chances with her are beyond repair"

Before Layton could finish, a sudden crash echoed as Alex's glass shattered in his hand.

Layton exclaimed, "Good heavens! You nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought it was you who shattered