Chapter 336: Alexandra’s Chains
Alexandra froze. Her lips parted just before her whole body trembled in a way the ice princess mask had never allowed. Then, finally, her feet carried her forward, straight into the embrace of her long-lost best friend.
Alexandra’s arms tightened with sudden desperation, pulling Nyx closer as her cheek pressed into the curve of her shoulder. The carefully painted mask of the ice princess shattered the instant familiar warmth touched her. Tears welled in her eyes before she could even stop them, spilling hot and fast, staining the perfect makeup she had retouched just minutes ago.
Nyx hugged her tighter, refusing to let go. Her voice dropped low, soft enough that only Alexandra could hear. "How are you holding up, Lexi?"
A ragged breath escaped Alexandra’s lips, trembling. "I’m... just perfect. Contemplating death every waking second," she whispered, the words almost inaudible. "But I can’t. My parents... they’re old. They rely on this money. If I die, they’ll suffer a miserable end to their lives, and they deserve much better."
Nyx’s arms stiffened around her, and she let out a long, heavy sigh. "You have my utmost admiration."
Alexandra blinked against her tears, pulling back just enough to look at her. "Admiration? You hated me for bending the knee to Maximilian..."
Nyx was quick to nod. "I didn’t like your decision, but I understand it. In fact... it might’ve been the best one."
A dry, broken laugh slipped from Alexandra’s throat. "You can’t be serious."
But Nyx only nodded. "I am. I was the one who refused to bend. Do you know how I managed to turn things around? Pure dumb luck. If not for that, I was already signing up to film porn with some sleazy back-alley studio. My life would’ve been ruined all the same. But you... You accepted our harsh reality for what it was instead of clinging to your dreams and chose the path where your suffering at least brought you the most benefits. You made the decision of a responsible adult while I kept chasing the impossible."
For a while, Alexandra said nothing. Just the soft sound of her uneven breathing could be heard as she tried to steady herself. Then, finally, she murmured with a small, almost teasing giggle, "Well, it seems you were right to dream. I saw you got a new boyfriend. He’s... really handsome."