The Ex-Factor: Loving Mr. Hart

1

"You're too old."

That’s what I told Alexander Hart when he asked why I broke up with him.

I was 21, still in college when we got together.

He was 33—twelve years older than me.

We were in an arranged relationship, a classic merger of two business families. The plan was to get married as soon as I graduated.

But right before graduation, I called it off.

Alexander Hart was undeniably handsome and incredibly generous.

For my birthday, he gave me a black card.
On Valentine’s Day, he sent me a custom-ordered Hermès bag.
For New Year’s, he gave me a tree—yes, a literal tree—decorated with a dozen Louis Vuitton purses.

So why did I break up with him?

Because on my birthday, he was in Europe.
On Valentine’s Day, he was in Manhattan.
And on New Year’s? Rome.

We were together for a year, but if you added up all the time we actually spent together, it couldn’t have been more than four months. The rest? Video calls, if I was lucky.

I could already see exactly what our marriage would be like.

So I ended it.

It was a clean break—no drama, no family fallout. Our families still did business together.

But now? I’d just been caught talking trash. What if he took it personally and stopped working with my family?

I tossed my waves over one shoulder and strutted toward him like I owned the bar.

"Well, well. Long time no see, old man."

Alexander gave a relaxed smile, cool and composed as ever. "It has been a while."

He leaned in, his voice low and private. "Lying’s a bad habit, Lily. You, of all people, should know whether I’m unforgettable—or not."

"..."

My face went up in flames. I glared at him.

Ugh. Total shameless rogue.

I snatched my bag and clicked away in my heels.

My best friend, Sophie Lee, chased after me.

Outside the bar, she finally asked, “Lily, what did Alexander say to you?”

My cheeks were still burning. Obviously, I wasn’t about to tell her the truth.

Alexander might have no shame, but I still had some left.

Sophie was still confused. “What are the odds he’s here too? You two haven’t seen each other in, what, over a year?”

I shrugged. “What’s the big deal? He used to come here with his buddies or business partners all the time.”

Then Sophie leaned in conspiratorially. “Don’t you want to go back in and check on him?”

I rolled my eyes. “Check on him? Yeah, no thanks.”

Sophie bumped my arm. “Come on. With a face like his? No way he’s sitting in there alone. Bet someone’s already flirting with him. Don’t you want to know?”

I scoffed. “Let them flirt. Not my problem.”

Sophie blinked. “Wait, seriously? Didn’t you two end things on good terms? Why the attitude?”

“You don’t get it. When you run into your ex, you’ve got to show up looking like you’re thriving. Whether the breakup was peaceful or not. I’m not about to let him think I’ve been miserable without him.”

Sophie coughed and mumbled, “You did cry for days when you broke up though...”

"..."

Some people really don’t know how to keep their mouth shut.

“I wasn’t crying over Alexander Hart,” I snapped. “I was mourning the death of my great love.”

2

Okay, fine. Maybe it was an arranged relationship, but I really did fall for Alexander Hart.

He just didn’t love me back. So why should I have kept chasing him?

Besides—if he had loved me, would he have left me alone for most of that year?

Whatever. No more humiliating thoughts. I’m hot and fabulous. If he couldn’t see that, that’s his problem.

The night ended early for me. I wasn’t feeling the vibe, so I went straight home.

After a late-night snack, my dad called me into his study.

“Pick one of these companies—or just join the main one.”

I groaned. “Dad, I just graduated. Can’t I have some time to enjoy life?”

He shot me a disapproving glare. “All you ever want to do is play. Look at Chloe—she’s a year younger and already independent.”

Chloe Grant. My cousin. The golden child of my uncle’s side of the family.

Everything about her was always better than me...

Okay, maybe not everything. I definitely spent money better, had more designer bags, and was invited to every major fashion week in spring and fall...

Yeah, I win.

“Come on, Dad, don’t make me work at a company. I’m just not into it.”

Dad sighed and waved me off. He might not approve, but he couldn’t bring himself to force me either.

As soon as I got back to my room, Chloe called.

“Hey, sis! Let’s go to the gala tomorrow night together. You’re officially a graduate now—Uncle must be getting you into one of the companies, right? Which one is it?”

Pfft. If I couldn’t tell she was fishing, I’d be brain-dead.

Chloe Grant was a total two-faced schemer. She’d always find ways to tear me down and lived for seeing me embarrassed in public.

I wouldn’t have minded—if she just let me spend my money in peace. But she couldn’t. Every chance she got, she’d try to one-up me.

And now she wanted to walk into a gala with me? Yeah, no thanks.

“I haven’t decided yet. And I’m skipping the gala tomorrow.”

Of course, I ended up going anyway—because Sophie was going.

Before we left, she made me dress to slay. Her words: “You need to blind them. Leave them seeing stars.”

I didn’t care about galas or socialite games—but I did care about dazzling the crowd.

So I wore a couture gown. One-of-a-kind. No one else in the world had it.

When I walked into that ballroom? Eyes turned. Jaws dropped. I was killing it.

And just as I was quietly basking in my own glory—Chloe showed up.

She linked her arm through mine and started introducing me to every bigwig in the room.

Not that they cared. I was just a pretty face to most of them.

Chloe, though? She was charming them all. Even found time to throw shade at me.

“My sister is so stylish—I wish I had her flair. I could never pull that off.”

“They say everyone has their strength. Your company’s doing amazing. Your grandfather brags about you constantly.”

I yanked my arm free and walked off. Not without throwing her a dramatic eye roll, of course.

I slipped out into the garden to escape the noise.

But a few minutes later, I heard a voice.

“Alexander, what are you doing out here all alone?”

3

Alexander?

Could it be Alexander Hart?

I remembered Chloe Grant used to call him that—"Alexander." I told her to call him “brother-in-law” when we were together, and she flat-out refused.

I kept as quiet as possible, listening in on their conversation…

No—this wasn’t eavesdropping. I was here first. They just didn’t see me.

Alexander didn’t respond at first, but then Chloe’s voice rose again.

"My sister's here too. Did you see her, Alexander?"

Alexander Hart: “No.”

Chloe: “She graduated college and moved back home. You knew that, right? Have you two seen each other yet?”

Alexander: “Yeah.”

Yeah, that was totally his thing. The man talked in one-word sentences like it was a lifestyle.

Of course, he never did that with me. Since we barely saw each other during the year we dated, if he’d spoken to me like that, I’d have dumped him a lot sooner.

A beat of silence passed, and then Chloe’s voice returned—this time a little hesitant.

“Alexander… I like you. I’ve liked you ever since the first time we met.”

Oh. My. God.

I KNEW IT. That little snake had been after Alexander all along!

She first met him through me! So she was crushing on her sister’s fiancé from day one?

I’d seen the way she looked at him—always with those dewy, dreamy eyes. I even warned her once, and clearly, she didn’t take it seriously.

Now my chest felt tight and heavy, like a storm cloud was settling there.

And then—he answered.

“I don’t like you.”

I actually nodded in satisfaction.

Chloe’s voice cracked slightly. “Why? How am I worse than Lily? Other than her looks, she’s not better than me at anything. Our families still work together. If you married me, I could help you so much more.”

Wow. Rejected and immediately throwing me under the bus? Classy.

Alexander: “Your sister has never said a single bad word about you. That alone makes her better.”

Okay, fine—I grinned so hard it nearly reached my ears.

Chloe burst into tears and ran off.

God, that felt good.

I cleared my throat and stepped into view.

Alexander turned to me, surprised. “Were you eavesdropping?”

“Excuse you,” I said, not missing a beat. “I was here first. I came out for some peace and quiet. What—upset I ruined your big moment and now you're taking it out on me?”

He stared at me, eyes dark and unreadable. I caught my reflection in his gaze—head tilted, smug smirk in place. Okay… I could see how that might be annoying.

I wiped the grin off my face.

“You heard everything,” he said coldly. “Why act innocent?”

And that ticked me off.

Can’t a girl crack a joke?

What was with the brooding?

“Wait… are you mad?” I narrowed my eyes. “Because I caught you defending me? Embarrassed now? Let me guess—Alexander Hart, do you still have feelings for me? Is that it?”

He just stared at me, and suddenly my scalp tingled.

Okay, maybe I was a little scared of this man. He was always so serious. Never joked. His stare could silence a room.

I turned to leave.

Then he said, “So what if I do? And what if I don’t?”

“…Seriously?”

That’s not even an answer!

---

4

On the way home, I was in a terrible mood. Sophie picked up on it immediately.

“What happened with Alexander?” she asked.

“I was just teasing him. He couldn’t tell? Does he really have to take everything so seriously?”

Sophie thought for a moment. “Actually… maybe it wasn’t about the joke. Maybe he’s not over it. Maybe he’s still bitter about the breakup.”

I slammed my palm onto her thigh. “Right?! That’s what I’ve been saying! He’s totally not over me, he just won’t admit it.”

Sophie raised a brow. “I said bitter, not longing for you. Let’s not forget—you broke up with him. And yesterday, you kinda roasted him too.”

Okay, now I was nervous.

Alexander wasn’t the type to hold grudges. He was the “instant revenge” kind of guy.

But now… nothing. No retaliation. No reaction.

Which meant—he was definitely planning something big.

“What should I do?” I asked, wide-eyed.

Sophie tapped her chin thoughtfully. “What’s the worst thing you think he could do to get back at you?”

I considered that. “Marrying Chloe Grant. Ugh. That little witch literally confessed to him just now.”

“That’s cold,” Sophie muttered. “Who does that? Going after her ex-brother-in-law?”

Then she gave me a very deliberate once-over. Her eyes lit up.

“…Oh no,” I muttered. “You’ve got that look.”

She slapped my thigh—probably revenge for earlier.

“You should win him back!” she said triumphantly. “That way, Chloe gets nothing and you don’t have to worry about revenge plots.”

Ha. Ha.

What a brilliant idea.

Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Don’t act like I don’t know. You’ve been hung up on him this whole year. Just admit it—you still like him.”

What am I, a clown? I have dignity, thank you very much.

And besides—why did I break up with Alexander in the first place? You think I’m gonna walk right back into the same mistake?

…

But after a few days of watching him from afar, I realized Alexander wasn’t planning any revenge.

He wasn’t avoiding me. He wasn’t doing anything.

So I let it go and returned to living my fabulous life.

Still, a girl needs something to do. Eating, shopping, lounging—it gets old.

So I opened an online account and started posting fashion and beauty content.

Of course it blew up. I’ve been flipping through Vogue since I was three.

A media company reached out, wanting to sign me.

When my dad heard about it, he said he’d fund my own media company—because it’s way more satisfying to earn your own money.

As long as I didn’t have to manage it, I could do whatever I wanted. My only job was to stay gorgeous.

Two months later, I was shooting videos outdoors, working my outfits like a model.

For once, I felt like I was actually doing something I loved.

Then one day, I was mid-shoot, strutting in heels way too high, when I twisted my ankle.

Hard.

I couldn’t even stand.

The crew rushed toward me. One of them said they were calling an ambulance.

“I’ve got it.”

A calm, low voice cut through the chaos—deep, steady, and… devastatingly familiar.

I looked up, and through the concerned crowd, a tall figure stepped into the light.

Alexander Hart.

He knelt in front of me and gently held my ankle.

Turning to his assistant, he said, “Swollen. Go get that herbal spray.”

Then he looked at me, stern as ever. “Told you before—those heels were an accident waiting to happen.”

Seriously? I’m in pain and he’s lecturing me?

I pulled my foot back. “I don’t need your help.”

Hiss—

Owwww.

5

Alexander Hart pressed his lips into a thin line, then scooped me up into his arms and set me gently onto a nearby chair.
"Stop moving," he said.

A few minutes later, his assistant Michael returned with the spray.

It was my first time seeing this kind of medicine. As soon as Alexander opened the bottle, a strange, pungent scent wafted up and hung around my nose like it owned the place.

"I don’t want that! Don’t spray me with it!"

Alexander lifted his eyes lazily to look at me.

"It smells disgusting! I’m not walking around all day stinking like that—get it away from me!" I clutched my nose.

Without another word, he knelt in front of me, took my ankle in his hand, and said, “Drama queen.”

Then—totally ignoring my protests—he sprayed it on my ankle.

Ughhh. I’m officially un-smellable now.

I glared at him. “My coworkers wanted to call an ambulance. Why are you insisting on using this?”

Alexander didn’t answer. He just asked, “Still hurt?”

"..."

I paused. Actually… it didn’t feel nearly as bad anymore.

“What, this stuff’s magic now? Heals instantly?”

Alexander gave a soft chuckle—not loud, but I caught it.

“Lily Grant, you’re still the queen of saying one thing and meaning another.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s none of your business. Don’t act like you know me or something.”

Of course, deep down, I was totally happy he cared.

"Use it as directed," he said, standing up. He gave me one last look before walking across the street into some private club.

He was probably here on business… and just happened to run into me.

“Lily, should we still call an ambulance?” one of the staff asked.

I glanced down at the bottle of spray in my hand and shook my head.

Turns out I’d be stuck resting my ankle for a few days.

On the way home, I called Sophie Lee and told her to meet me at my place. She was already waiting in my room when I got back.

I marched in, dramatic as ever.
“I’ve decided—I’m winning Alexander Hart back!”

Sophie’s jaw dropped. “What brought this on all of a sudden?”

I tilted my chin proudly. “Because it’s obvious he still feels something for me. I twisted my ankle and he immediately sent Michael out to get medicine, then personally applied it. Tell me that’s not a sign.”

Sophie blinked. “He always took care of you. Remember every time you wanted something, he made sure you had it, like, immediately?”

It hit me like a lightning bolt.

She was right. Alexander had always been so attentive. Sure, he treated me like a spoiled brat sometimes, but he’d been nothing if not doting.

I’d always known he cared. But if he cared so much… why didn’t he stay?

“If he really loved me, if he really cared, why didn’t he make time for me?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Because the man’s a CEO, Lily. He was already running a global empire, and still found time to see you every month. Do you know how insane that is?”

“…”

“Alexander Hart isn’t some teenager with nothing to do. He’s a grown man with a hundred companies to manage. You think he can drop everything to text you all day?”

“…”

Sophie leaned back and folded her arms. “So you need to decide. If you want time and attention, you may not get the gifts and luxury. If you want the lifestyle, you’ll have to accept that his calendar is... well, full. You can’t have it all.”

Her words hit home. Hard.

And suddenly, everything made sense.

“I want the bags. I want the money.”

Sophie: “...Seriously?”

---

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