Alexander’s POV

"Alicia," I called softly. "Come on... it’s time to see Nana."

"No..."

Her voice broke completely.

"I can’t."

She shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face.

"I can’t face her like this."

I crouched down in front of her and gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

"Get ahold of yourself," I murmured softly. "You’re her favorite granddaughter. How do you think she’ll feel if you refuse to say goodbye?"

The moment the word goodbye left my mouth, Alicia’s sobs worsened instantly.

"She can’t leave me..." she cried, shaking her head repeatedly. "She can’t leave me like this."

"I won’t accept it..."

Seeing her break down like this felt like someone was tearing my heart apart piece by piece.

I hated seeing her in pain.

But some things in life happened no matter how desperately you wanted to stop them.

And this...

was one of those things.

Helplessly, I glanced toward Uncle Steve, who stood nearby silently watching us.

Suddenly, Alicia threw herself into my arms and wrapped both hands tightly around my neck as she sobbed uncontrollably.

I immediately held her close, gently patting her head.

"Shh... calm down," I whispered hoarsely. "It’s okay."

But even as I said the words, I knew they meant nothing.

Because nothing about this was okay.

Just then, a nurse hurried out of the emergency room.

"We’re running out of time," she said anxiously. "The Chairwoman keeps asking to see her granddaughter."

Alicia’s breathing hitched violently.

Then, after a few seconds, she slowly let go of me and stood up.

I instinctively reached out to support her.

But she forced a shaky smile and quietly said,

"I can walk."

Then she carefully made her way into the room alone.

I stood there silently, watching her back disappear behind the door.

At that moment, my phone suddenly vibrated again.

My expression darkened instantly.

I stepped aside before answering the call coldly.

"Any news?"

"No, sir," the security team responded nervously. "We’ve expanded the search and contacted the police, but Miss Lilian still hasn’t been found."

My jaw tightened sharply.

Was Lilian trying to play games with me?

"Keep searching," I said icily. "Don’t stop until you find her. Search every building if you have to."

"Understood, sir."

The call ended.

My eyes darkened dangerously.

There was no way Lilian could leave the country under my watch.

I had already been too lenient with her in the past.

But this time...

she had crossed the line completely.

And I wouldn’t spare her again.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.

I looked up sharply.

Several doctors and nurses rushed toward the emergency room.

My heart dropped instantly.

Without hesitation, I followed behind them.

When I reached the doorway, I saw Uncle Steve sitting silently by the wall outside, his eyes tightly shut as though he was desperately trying to hold himself together.

A terrible feeling rose in my chest.

Then I realized—

Alicia still hadn’t come out.

My breathing tightened instantly as I pushed open the door and entered the room.

And then—

I froze.

The sharp sound of the heart monitor echoed throughout the room as the medical staff desperately tried to revive Nana.

But what terrified me the most...

was Alicia.

She stood motionless near the bedside, staring blankly ahead at nothing.

No tears.

No reaction.

Just emptiness.

My chest tightened painfully.

Slowly, I turned toward the hospital bed.

One look was enough.

I understood immediately.

Grief crashed over me so suddenly it nearly stole the air from my lungs.

But I forced myself to move.

I walked toward Alicia and gently took hold of her shoulders before guiding her away from the scene.

She didn’t resist.

As we stepped out of the room, my eyes met Uncle Steve’s.

The grief in his eyes mirrored my own.

But I didn’t stop walking.

I couldn’t let Alicia hear what came next.

Behind us, the doctor’s voice quietly echoed through the hallway.

"I’m very sorry, Mr. Blackwood..."

I didn’t wait to hear the rest.

I didn’t need to.

Alexander’s POV

Alicia refused to let me carry her to the garage.

She didn’t say anything directly, but the resistance in her silence was obvious.

So I didn’t force her.

We slowly made our way downstairs together before I asked Jim to bring over her wheelchair.

Once we were seated in the car, I quietly reached over and held her hand.

The entire family had suffered a devastating blow today.

My parents died when I was still young, but even before that, it had always been my grandparents who raised me.

Grandpa personally trained me for years.

And when he passed away, it felt like my entire world had collapsed.

But back then...

I still had Grandma beside me.

Now...

All I had left was Alicia and our baby.

But the blank expression on Alicia’s face right now terrified me.

"Alicia," I called softly. "Are you alright?"

At first, she didn’t respond.

Then after a long pause, she slowly turned to look at me.

"I’m alright, Alexander," she said flatly. "Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to the baby."

My brows furrowed slightly.

I was asking about her.

But she thought the only thing I cared about was the child.

A dull ache settled in my chest.

Still, knowing everything she was going through, I chose not to argue.

So instead, I simply tightened my hold on her hand and stayed silent.

Alicia’s POV

The ride back to the villa was painfully quiet.

I could feel Alexander holding my hand, but I didn’t react.

Instead, I simply stared out the window.

When Grandma was first hospitalized months ago, I thought I had already prepared myself for this day.

I thought I had accepted that eventually... she would leave me too.

But now that it had actually happened, and so suddenly at that—

it felt like an old wound had been ripped open all over again.

After my father died, Nana was the only person who truly cared for me wholeheartedly.

And now...

even she was gone.

When the car stopped at the villa, I quietly opened the door and stepped out.

But before I could take more than a few steps, Alexander hurried over and silently lifted me into his arms.

This time, I didn’t resist.

I was too exhausted.

He carried me upstairs to the master bedroom before gently placing me on the bed.

"Rest for a while," he said softly. "I need to handle a few things. When you feel better, call me and I’ll come get you."

I nodded quietly.

Alexander lingered for a moment before finally turning toward the closet.

I lay curled on my side, not exactly asleep but not fully aware of my surroundings either.

At some point, I heard him enter the bathroom to shower.

But I didn’t even notice when he finished and left the room again.

I kept tossing and turning restlessly on the bed.

Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Nana’s pale face as she smiled weakly while holding my hand.

Her final words echoed endlessly in my mind.....