After the interrogation, everything changed.
Alexander became colder.
More distant.
More dangerous.
Meetings extended late into the night.
Calls in multiple languages.
Decisions made without hesitation.
Emily watched him from across the room one evening.
"You're pushing too hard," she said.
Alexander didn't look up.
"I don't have a choice."
"You always have a choice."
Now he looked at her.
"And risk you getting hurt?"
The words hit harder than expected.
Emily stepped closer.
"I'm already involved."
Alexander's voice lowered.
"That's exactly the problem."
For the first time—
Emily realized something she hadn't fully understood before.
Alexander wasn't just protecting his company.
He was protecting her.
And that made everything more dangerous.