Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

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"Layton, stops spewing nonsense! I've never been to Ameria, let alone met Hlle. Stop slandering me!" Haley quickly denier wice trembling with urgency. It was evident she was completely fastered cousition, het

"Dammit. I can't stand hypocrites like you. Don't you know Aaron reconded a video of your lutting Ellie? Layton yelled, his toor sharp and accusatory "Haley, what did Ellie ever alo to you to deserve such treatment" Haley's face twisted in anget, her features almost unrecognizable. "Layton, I'm Alex's fanceet Why are you always defending Ellie? Whose side are you on anyway!"

Layton responded coldly, Ellie was raised by Carlos, and Alex's parents cared for her like their own. She's lived with Alex for over a decade. And you? How long have you even known Alex Who do you think Ed side with?" With that Layton stormed off, leaving Haley in utter disarray.

"Aaron, after all the time we've been together, you betrayed me! Haley mattered. After a moment of hesitation, she scrambled to her feet and went

after Alex

At the temporary parking space in front of the hotel entrance, Haley intercepted Alex just as he was about to get into his car

"Ales, let noe explain," she pleaded, grabbing the car door to prevent him from leaving "This is what you think?

П

"I went to find Ellie to apologize she lied, her voice desperate. She laine first, and I just fought back because I couldn't take it anganore. Those Two women just stepped in because they couldn't stand sering Ellie hully me, I dont know them" Before Haley could finish, Alex grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against

in the car door

His eyes were bloodshot, his expression seething with fury. He glared at her with a murderous intensity, his grip tightening around her trait. Haley had never seen Alex this enraged before. For a moment, sheer terror rendered her incapable of responding Alex said nothing, his hand locked firmly around her neck. Haley's breathing grow strained, her expression shifting from pain to pure fear.

As the sensation of suffocation overwhelmed her, Haley began pounding on Alex's hand, her voice weak and desperate. "Mex, you you said I uved your life. Is this how you repay your savior?"

The grip on her throat suddenly loosened. Haley collapsed to the grond, gasping for air, her body trembling with weakness.

She watched as Alex got into his car and sped away without a word Chruching her teeth, her eyes filled with rage and determination. What she had just said was an impulsive outburst, but she hadn't expected Alex in actually let her go. Haley's mind raced. For the first time, she wondered if Alex win with her not out of love, but for another reason.

The next morning. Haley stood anxiously at the top of the staircase on the second floor of the Warren Manor, wanting nervously until Alex finally appeared.

"Alex" Haley saw him heading downstairs without a word and blocked his way, fears streaming down her Lace. "You were drunk last night. Do you even realize you almost strangled me to death?"

Alex's gaze dropped to the red marks on her neck, his expression darkening slightly. Without responding, he stepped past her and continued down

the stairs

Haley hurned after him, stopping him again at the bottom of the staircase. "Ales, please, let me explain?

"When you brought me to

to the Warren Manor, you didn't come back for a whole werk, Haley began thought you wouldn't forgive me, so I went to Ameria to apologize to Ellie. But she wouldn't listen. You know, she's hit me before."noveldrama

Seeing Alex remain silent, Haley continued spinning her tale. " the airport, she stapped me in front of so many people. I couldn't stand it and fought back. Ellie, who always acts like she's untouchable because your parents spoil her, started insulting me? "Those bystanders couldn't stand ber behavior and stepped in, but Ellie started hitting and cursing at them. Those two women only fought back after she attacked them," she went on. "It's nothing like what Aaron claimed. He's just trying in cover for his sister!" "Haley, stop pretending Lacey stormed in, throwing her bag at Haley's heal Haley shrieked and dodged just an ame

Lacey was in a rage. "I treated you like a friend, and you used me as a pawn!"

Sering Lacey at the Warren Manor, Haley quickly tried to explain. "Lacey, you've got it all wrong. Let's talk outside"

But Lacey v

wasn't having it. She grabbed a fistful of Haley's hair. "You framed me and destroyed Ellie's fact I swear I'll tear you apart today!"

"Alex, help met Haley screamed, begging Alex for help.

Alex grabbed Lacey's wrist and said sternly, "Let

Lacey, feisty as ever, refused to release her grip even as Alex's hold on her wrist tightened.

"You bouch! You called me, crying, saying Ellie seduced your man and got caught in a hotel room. You played the victim, making me feel sorry for you and try to console you. I told you not to jump to conclusions, she said.

Larry pointed at Haley. "But behind my hack, you spread rumors, telling your bule clique that I was making it all up. You had people calling me a har in our social circles. Did you really think I wouldn't find out?"

"What's going on here? At that moment, Alex's parents came out of their room, their expressions stem.

Layton came rushing in nearly losing a shoe in his baste. He immediately tried to calm hus sister down. "Lacey, let go of her. Now

Tin not letting go until 1 deal with this snake!" Lacey shouted, yanking Haley's hair a few more times, still refusing to loosen her grip.

Left with no choice, Layton forcibly pried Lacey's fingers away. Only then did Alex release her. Haley, finally free, scurried behind Alex, trembling and pale.

Todd's face darkened as he surveyed the scene. "Can someone explain what the hell is going on here""

Haley cowered behind Alex, her face ashen, her entire body shaking with fear

Alex said calmly, "It's just a small matter. Dad, can handle it myself."

Layton quickly chimed in, "Yeah, it's nothing serious, and a little spat between girls. Nothing to worry about"

"That's nonsense!" Lacey jumped forward, pointing at Haley, who was standing behind Alex: "Mrs. Warren, your future daughter-in-law is a vile snake! You need to get rid of her right now!"

Layton sighed and covered his face with his hard. Nancy's expression darkened at Lacey's harsh words. "Liery, watch your tone"

Taking a deep breath, Lacey recounted, in front of everyone, bow Haley had spread malicious rumors to frame her and then secretly gone to Ameria, where she had beaten Ellie so badly that Ellic ended up in the hospital Hearing this. Alex's parents turned visibly pale.

"Mrs. Warren, don't listen to Lacey's nonsenset I didn't do any of that Haley hastily approached Nancy, trying to defend herself. "It's all a misunderstanding. If you don't believe me, ask Alex!" She can

cast a desperate, pleading glance at Alex.

"Mom," Alex said, his voice steady, "this is nothing serious. I'll take care of it"

Haley

ey nodded vigorously. "Mrs. Warren, you see? Ales said it was nothing serious. Please don't listen to Lacey's liest

"Haley, can you swear in front of Mrs. Warren! Lacey shoved Haley hard and challenged her. "Swear that you're telling the truth! If you're lying you'll go straight to hell?

"You-!" Haley stammered, at a loss for words,

Layton, rubbing his temples, turned to face the wall, clearly fed up with the entire spectacle. He had no desire to witness any more of the drama. The room fell into an awkward silence.

Lacey, her anger unabated, pointed at Haley, who looked like she could barely stand, and spat on the floor. "Haley, as of this moment, we are no longer friend

Then, turning to Alex, she jabbed a fager in his direction. "And you, you miserable excuse for a mand Stay away from Ellie. Your presence will only bring her misery!"

With that, Lacey stormed off. As she reached the doorway, she spotted a stray shoe, picked it up, and hurled it straight at Alex's head before bolting

out the door.

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