Chapter 15 " You finally came to see me , " Alexander croaked , lying on the ground , soaked in blood and rain . " Allie , let's go home , please … " Allison stood above him , arms crossed , her voice cutting like a blade . " Home ? What home ? You burned that bridge a long time ago . " What are you talking about ? " Alexander's heart skipped a beat . He'd been so focused on getting back to her , he hadn't even stopped by the Rockwood estate yet . " We'll go back together . To the Rockwood estate . … or our villa . ' But when he saw the flicker of amusement in her eyes , panic set in . " Oh , the villa ? " Allison tilted her head mockingly . " I sold it . As for the Rockwood estate - it's about to be repossessed . Try checking with the bank " She paused , letting the words sink in . " So , faking your death wasn't dramatic enough ? Now you're going for the whole ' back from the dead ' storyline ? " Her voice dropped an octave . " Do you really think people are that gullible , Alexander ? " He shook his head frantically . " You know everything already ? Allie , I was wrong - I'm here to admit it . After I left with Sarah , I realized the one I love has always been you , " " I was out of my damn mind . What I did was insane , I know . But I'm back now . We can start fresh . We'll get married again , have a kid , travel the world The words tumbled out too fast , too desperate . Before he could finish , blood burst from his mouth . Allison immediately stepped back , repulsed , her expression unreadable but her disgust clear . Their eyes met - and in that instant , something inside him shattered . This woman used to panic at the smallest cough he had . Once , when he came down with a mild fever , she stayed up the entire night nursing him . She had loved him. Deeply . Madly . How did that love disappear so easily ? " Allie … please , don't do this . I'm sorry . I mean it . " But her face stayed cold . " I told you already I don't know you . Stop bothering me . My fiancé wouldn't like it . " His face twisted . " At the very least … give me back my assets He tried to get up , stumbling toward her , Allison stepped behind the gate , her tone merciless . " Everything you had ? My ex - husband left it to me in his will . You ? You're just some guy off the street now !! Alexander's expression darkened He lunged forward , grabbing onto the gate - then his vision went black He collapsed , right there on the Vanderbilt driveway . Thunder rolled overhead as the rain came down harder , ice - cold drops soaking his already battered body . It took a while before he came to . Still sprawled outside that Iron gate , completely ignored , entirely alone . He dragged himself off the ground and stumbled toward what used to be home . Alexander told himself that once he reclaimed his identity , once he reminded Allison who he really was , she'd forgive him . Chapter 15 75001 He half - crawled , half - staggered his way back to the Rockwood estate - only to pass out right at the front door before he could even knock When he opened his eyes again , it was to the tear - streaked face of his mother . She looked nothing like the graceful matriarch she used to be - her features were pale , sickly , hollowed by grief . His father stood nearby , visibly thinner , weighed down by exhaustion . " You ungrateful bastard ! " Russell roared , his voice cracking with rage . " You faked your death for what ? A woman ? " He stormed over and slapped Alexander so hard the sound echoed . " You should've died out there . Why the hell did you come back ? The Rockwood name is ruined - everything's gone ! " Russell broke down as he beat his son with shaking fists . " Everything ! All of it ! " Through his parents ' angry cries , Alexander learned the truth . After his disappearance , his grandfather's health took a nosedive . He passed away not long after . Rockwood Holdings plummeted . Key partners cut ties . The company defaulted on several major contracts and had to pay astronomical penalties . They were forced to sell off real estate just to keep the lights on . And the one pulling the strings behind it all ? The Vanderbilt family . The same woman you discarded like trash ? " Russell sneered . " They treat her like a damn queen . You think this isn't payback ? " " You absolute fool . " Alexander stood frozen , reeling No way , Not Allison . He had her wrapped around his finger . She'd been so easy to control . " She's just mad at me , " he muttered , more to himself than anyone else . " Once I talk to her , once I calm her down … things will go back to the way they were . " He forced a smile , clinging to the fantasy . " Allie just needs time . She'll come back to me ."