Chapter 230 When Denton woke up again , his head felt like it was splitting open . His entire body ached like it had been ripped apart , and every nerve in him was screaming in agony . He forced his eyes open . The room was dim , and right beside the bed sat Melanie , wearing a twisted smile on her face . " What did you inject me with ?! " he rasped , his voice hoarse . Melanie didn't answer . She simply held up a syringe and a small pouch of white powder , her eyes gleaming with temptation . \ " Stop fighting it , Denton ," she whispered . " This stuff will take away all your pain . Trust me , it's what you need . " \ He stared at the needle , every part of him recoiling . His instincts screamed at him to push her away , to get up and run , but his body no longer obeyed him . " Melanie leaned in , whispering into his ear . " Come on . You've lost everything . Your company is bankrupt , your name is ruined , and that bitch Sadie crushed you beneath her heels . I'm all you have left . Only I can set you free ." " The pain swelled like a rising tide , and with it , came a maddening hunger for the " release " she offered . His body betrayed him and craved what his mind screamed to reject . < He tried to resist , but in the end , he gave in . " The cold rush of the drug surged through his veins . In an instant , all the pain , the regret , and the despair all vanished , drowned out by a wave of artificial bliss . " He had fought , he had tried to stay clean , but every withdrawal had felt like dying . The suffering was unbearable , and under its weight , his willpower shattered . } He was no longer Denton , the powerful mogul who once dominated the business world . " He was now a puppet , strung up and manipulated by addiction and by Melanie . " Sadie's POV Because of Denton's downward spiral , the takeover of the Francis Group went even smoother than I expected . I thought I'd feel satisfaction watching him fall like this . But as I stood there , seeing him so broken , so far gone , I felt no joy , only a deep , aching sadness . He killed his own son , destroyed his family , and now , he'd ruined himself beyond repair . As I stood lost in thought by the window, the butler entered . " " Miss , Prince Alejandro is here . " " I was surprised . I hadn't expected him . " When I walked into the sitting room , there he was , casually dressed in a crisp white shirt , seated on the couch . In his hands , he held a delicate crystal box and a thick file envelope . " Ms. Middleton , " he greeted me with a gentle smile , " forgive me for dropping by unannounced . I came to return something that belongs to you . " " He offered the crystal box to me . " At first , I hesitated , confused . But the moment I looked inside , my hands trembled , and my vision blurred with tears . Inside was Mick's heart . " It was you ," I choked out . " You were the mysterious buyer ? " N He nodded . " Yes , Ms. Middleton . When I saw those items at the auction , I couldn't imagine the pain you must've endured . I couldn't stand by and watch something so sacred be desecrated , so I bought them . Not for myself , but to return them to you . Mick's heart should be with his mother , not displayed as someone's twisted trophy . " " He then handed me the envelope next and added , " These are all the photos . I promise , there are no copies . No one else will ever see them . " M Tears fell silently down my cheeks as I held the box and envelope close . I couldn't even speak . Prince Alejandro stepped forward and gently pulled me into his arms . " Sadie , " he whispered , " I meant what I said . I was drawn to your strength and your heart . I've learned everything about your past , your pain , your courage , and your kindness . And the more I know , the more deeply I love you . " " He cupped my face and softly wiped away my tears with his thumb . " I want to spend my life protecting you . I want to heal the wounds you've carried alone . Let me be your anchor , your shelter, and your knight . Sadie , will you marry me ? " I looked into his sincere blue eyes.N 212