Ever since the accident, I had barely paid attention to her situation anymore.

"Sir," the man reported carefully, "Miss Lilian’s injuries worsened after the surgery. The doctor said recovery will take much longer than expected."

My expression remained indifferent.

During the accident Lilian caused herself, her face had been severely injured.

Fortunately, no one had died.

"Tell the doctors to do whatever is necessary," I said calmly. "If there are any issues, contact my assistant."

I paused briefly before adding coldly,

"I don’t want to be disturbed about her matters again."

Right now, Alicia’s condition was my only concern.

As long as Lilian remained in the country, she was nothing more than a hidden danger waiting to explode.

That was why I needed her under constant supervision until she recovered enough to leave permanently.

No matter what happened...

I couldn’t allow anyone to hurt Alicia again.

The room gradually fell silent after the call ended.

I lowered my gaze toward the open book in front of me, but my thoughts drifted elsewhere entirely.

Back in the bedroom, Alicia had asked me something simple.

When did you start loving me?

At the time, I couldn’t answer properly.

Maybe because even I hadn’t realized it myself until recently.

Or maybe...

I simply hadn’t understood my own feelings until I almost lost her.

But one thing had become painfully clear.

I had personally created the distance between us.

I was the one who pushed her away first.

The one who made her believe I would never love her.

So now, no matter what I said, Alicia probably wouldn’t believe me anymore.

And honestly...

I couldn’t blame her for it.

A bitter smile slowly appeared on my face.

Still...

I had already made a promise.

If words weren’t enough, then I would prove it to her through my actions.

Slowly.

No matter how long it took.

Alicia’s POV

The next morning, when I woke up, Alexander was already gone from the bedroom.

I reached for my phone and checked the time.

9:00 AM.

I blinked in surprise.

Lately, I had been sleeping far more than usual. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Even yesterday, I spent most of the day drifting in and out of sleep, yet somehow I still woke up exhausted every morning.

Slowly sitting up, I rubbed my temples lightly before remembering that Alexander had planned to take me to the hospital for another check-up today.

He was probably already waiting for me downstairs.

Carefully, I got out of bed.

Normally, Alexander insisted on carrying me everywhere—even helping me into the bathroom and preparing the bathwater himself.

But today, I decided to walk on my own.

It had been so long since I properly used my legs that the unfamiliar feeling almost made me laugh.

I carefully made my way into the bathroom, undressed, and took a quick shower.

A while later, after finishing, I wrapped a towel around my body and pushed the bathroom door open.

Only to freeze.

Alexander was standing right outside.

Startled, I instinctively stepped back.

He chuckled softly.

"It’s just me."

But almost immediately, his expression turned serious.

"Alicia," he said with a slight frown, "why didn’t you call for me?"

"You know it isn’t safe for you to walk around alone."

"It’s not a big deal," I replied casually. "I just wanted to move around a little."

"That’s still not okay."

The concern in his voice was obvious as he stepped closer, clearly intending to carry me again.

But I instinctively moved back.

Alexander paused in confusion.

"My towel is too small," I muttered awkwardly.

Only then did his gaze finally seem to register what I was wearing.

His eyes slowly traveled upward from my bare legs to my neck.

I noticed his Adam’s apple move slightly.

Heat immediately rushed to my face.

"I-I’ll just go get dressed first."

Under his intense gaze, I hurried past him toward the walk-in closet.

Behind me, Alexander let out another low chuckle, clearly amused by my reaction.

"Walk slowly," he reminded teasingly. "There’s no need to rush."

I ignored him and quickly entered the closet.

Standing before the mirror, I was about to sit down when Alexander followed behind me and silently pulled out the chair for me.

"Thanks," I murmured before sitting.

I reached for my comb.

"I’ll be done soon, so you can go wait outside first."

But instead of leaving, Alexander walked toward the drawer and took out the hair dryer.

I blinked in confusion.

"What are you doing?"

He raised a brow slightly.

"What does it look like I’m doing?"

"I’m drying your hair."

I laughed lightly and reached for the dryer.

But Alexander avoided my hand completely.

Instead, he plugged it in and stepped behind my chair.

"Stay still."

I stared at him speechlessly through the mirror.

Alexander Blackwood was actually drying my hair.

Not only that, he gently took the comb from my hand and carefully ran it through my damp hair with surprising patience.

I sat there quietly, watching his reflection in the mirror as he applied my hair cream skillfully, almost exactly the way I usually did it myself.

When he finally finished, he looked at my reflection and smiled faintly.

"What?" he asked teasingly. "Why do you look so surprised?"

I looked at him honestly.

"How are you so good at this?"

Alexander shrugged casually.

"I guess I’m naturally talented at everything."

His arrogant tone made me almost laugh.

But then another thought surfaced in my mind.

Alexander and Lilian had dated for years.

Maybe...

He had already done things like this countless times for her.

The faint smile on my lips slowly faded.

I lowered my gaze quietly.

Almost immediately, Alexander noticed the change in my expression.

As if he already knew what I was thinking, he walked around the chair and crouched in front of me.

"Alicia," he said softly while holding my hand, "this is my first time doing this."

I looked up instinctively.

His eyes looked unusually sincere.

"I know about your hair products because I always watched you use them."

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

So instead, I simply turned back toward the mirror.

"Why are you explaining yourself?" I asked sarcastically. "I didn’t say anything."

Alexander sighed softly.

"I know you too well."

His thumb brushed lightly across my fingers.

"If I don’t explain, you’ll just overthink things by yourself again."

My chest tightened slightly.

But I quickly pushed the feeling away.

"Why would it matter to you even if I misunderstood?"

I stood up abruptly and walked toward the clothes rack.

"I’m changing now. You can leave."

Alexander slowly stood as well, his gaze following me quietly.

But I deliberately ignored him.

No matter how caring he acted now...

I couldn’t let myself forget reality.

Everything he was doing was because of the baby.

And I refused to fool myself again.

When I turned around, I realized Alexander was still standing there.

As though he had no intention of leaving.

"Alexander," I said impatiently, "I’m hungry. I need to get dressed first."

"Well," he replied lazily, a teasing smile appearing on his face, "I’m not stopping you."

My face instantly turned red.

"Go outside first!"

Alexander looked entirely unapologetic.

"Alicia," he said calmly, "I’ve already seen everything before. What’s there to hide?"

"You’re shameless!"

Embarrassed, I shoved against his chest.

Alexander laughed softly before finally taking a step back.

"Alright, alright. I’m leaving."

He opened the door before glancing back at me with a smile.

"But hurry up. Your breakfast is getting cold."

Then he finally walked out, closing the door behind him.