07

Alexa's eyes narrowed as she approached July, her stilettos clicking menacingly on the pavement.

"Oh, honey," she drawled, her voice dripping with condescension. "Are you really trying to play with fire? You'll only burn yourself, and trust me, you can't afford any more damage to that face."

“Let’s see who will hide her face after my post. If you beg me, then I can give it a thought,” she smirked and moved her feet in front of her so that she could beg easily for mercy.

Alexa was controlling her anger till now because of Max, but now she realizes that she don’t deserve any respect.

She let out a derisive snort. "I mean, seriously? Challenging me? It's like watching a chihuahua try to take on a wolf. Adorable, but ultimately stupid just like you."

July's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not stupid, Alexa. And Max? He's nothing special. That's why I'm leaving him. You're welcome to my leftovers."

Alexa's gaze flicked to Max, a triumphant smirk spreading across her face. "Thank goodness you finally divorced her, Max. I was starting to worry her delusions might be contagious."

She possessively grasped Max's hand, her icy gaze piercing through July. A wicked smile played across her lips.

"Watch your mouth, sweetie," Alexa purred, her voice now a venomous whisper. "We wouldn't want your adoring fans to find out why your car really crashed outside the civil department, would we?"

July's face paled. "You wouldn't dare -"

"Oh, wouldn't I?" Alexa's laugh was sharp and cruel. "Face it, honey. Your squeaky-clean image is as fake as your talent. And about as convincing as your attempt at a career."

"At least I don't have to buy my men," July spat back.

Alexa's eyes flashed dangerously. "No, you just drive them away. How many exes is it now? I've lost count."

July lunged forward, but Greg held her back. Alexa turned to Max, her demeanor instantly softening.

"Come on, Max. Let's leave these... lesser beings to their drama."

As Alexa tugged him towards her car, Max cast one last glance at July. Their eyes met, a flicker of regret passing between them.

"July," he said softly, "focus on Greg. What we had... it's over. Move on."

With that, he slid into Alexa's sleek SUV car. Greg watched the car disappear, his frown deepening. A complex mix of emotions churned within him - anger at Alexa's cruelty, concern for July, and an unexpected surge of envy.

"He's lucky," Greg murmured, his voice barely audible.

July turned to him, her brow furrowed. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," Greg quickly replied, averting his gaze.

July's eyes flashed with anger and jealousy. "I can't let them win like this. Did you see how Max just left with her? After everything we've been through!"

She clenched her fists, trembling with rage. "He had the nerve to cheat on me, and now he's flaunting it. I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget."

Greg pushed aside his conflicting emotions and turned to comfort July.

"Hey, don't let them get to you," he said softly. "We'll land another movie soon, and before you know it, we'll be shopping for a car that'll make Alexa's look like junk. And Max? He'll still just be a glorified gigolo."

Inwardly, Greg cursed Max for landing such a beautiful and rich woman. A part of him wished he was in Max's shoes. But he quickly shook off the thought, reminding himself that he had July.

"Listen," Greg continued, his voice gentle. "You don't need to be sad. I'll teach that good-for-nothing a lesson soon enough. Don't worry about stress lines, okay? You need to take care of your beauty. Tell you what - I'll buy you a new car myself. How does that sound?"

July's tension seemed to ease a bit. She nodded, managing a small smile.

"You're right," she said, leaning into Greg. "I've been under so much stress. But now... now I'm free. And I'm lucky to have you, not that loser."

She looked up at Greg, her eyes softening. "Thank you for being here for me. You're so much better than Max ever was."

Greg felt a surge of pride. He wrapped an arm around July's shoulders, pulling her close.

"That's my girl," he said with a wolfish grin. "Now, how about we go celebrate your new freedom?"

In the SUV, Max sat in silence for a while, his mind reeling from the encounter. Finally, he turned to Alexa.

"Why did you come here?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Alexa smiled, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "Your grandfather told me you were finalizing the divorce. I couldn't let you face this alone. I had to be here for you."

As she drove, Alexa thought about the past. She had loved Max for a long time, dreaming of a future together. When he left her to marry July, it broke her heart. But now, fate had brought them back together. She felt a mix of happiness and relief, along with old feelings coming back. Alexa wondered what had changed in Max's life to bring him back to her and what this meant for her future.

She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Now you'll finally be coming back home, where you belong. I couldn't be happier."

Max nodded slowly, still processing everything that had just happened. "Thanks," he said softly.

"You're welcome, my ex-fiancé," Alexa replied, her voice warm with affection.

'After all this time,' she thought, 'we're finally getting our second chance. I won't let anything come between us again.'

She glanced at Max, a small smile playing on her lips.