Alexander’s POV

I kept glancing at Alicia through the rearview mirror as I sped through the streets, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that the veins on the back of them stood out sharply.

"Alicia," I called anxiously, "look at me."

But Alicia seemed unable to focus anymore.

One hand clutched protectively at her abdomen while panic completely overtook her expression.

She looked terrified.

"My baby..." she whispered shakily.

"Nothing will happen," I reassured her immediately, though my own voice sounded strained. "The baby will be fine."

For the first time in years, I felt genuinely helpless.

I didn’t even know if I was trying to comfort her,

or myself.

The moment the car stopped outside St. Victoria Medical Center, several nurses rushed forward with a stretcher after recognizing me.

Ignoring it completely, I carried Alicia out myself and headed straight toward the emergency elevator.

"Call the doctor," I ordered coldly. "Now."

"Yes, sir!"

Alicia weakly clutched my shirt as another wave of discomfort seemed to hit her.

Her face had already gone pale from fear.

I lowered my head slightly, trying to calm her despite the panic consuming me.

"Don’t be scared," I said quietly. "I’m here."

Alicia closed her eyes without responding.

The moment we reached the emergency ward, the nurses quickly took her into the examination room.

I was stopped outside.

And for once

I didn’t know what to do

I didn’t even have the strength to do anything.

I simply stood there motionless, staring at the closed doors while the bright hospital lights reflected harshly against the walls.

Only then did I realize my hands were trembling slightly.

Images flashed uncontrollably through my mind.

Alicia’s tear-streaked face at the villa.

Her struggling against me.

Her saying she wanted to leave me.

And the helplessness I felt while watching her pack her things.

I lowered my head and pressed a hand against my eyes.

This was all my fault.

Everything had spiraled because of me.

And now Alicia was lying in there because of it.

For the first time since my grandmother’s death,

fear truly consumed me.

Not fear of losing my position.

Not fear of public rumors.

Not even fear of Alicia misunderstanding me.

But fear of losing her.

Just a few days ago, I thought things were finally getting better between us.

I thought Alicia was beginning to see my sincerity.

I thought maybe she would slowly give me another chance—

a chance to make things right for her and our baby.

But now...

She wouldn’t even listen to me anymore.

The word divorce had become something she could say so easily now.

And every single time I heard it,

it felt like something was tearing apart inside my chest.

I remained standing there while countless thoughts ran through my mind until, after what felt like forever, the examination room doors finally opened.

I immediately straightened.

"How is she?"

It was the same doctor who had treated Alicia after the kidnapping.

He removed his gloves calmly before answering, "She’s fine."

The tightness in my chest loosened instantly.

"The baby is fine as well," the doctor continued. "Her body was simply overstressed. She hasn’t been emotionally stable lately, has she?"

I stayed silent for a moment before nodding slowly.

The doctor sighed softly. "She hasn’t been eating or resting properly these past few days, and her emotional exhaustion seem to make things worse. Fortunately, there’s no serious problem."

Only then did I finally exhale the breath I had been holding.

"Right now" he continued"what she needs most is emotional stability. No more stress, and definitely no more intense arguments."

I lowered my gaze slightly.

"...I understand."

But even after hearing that both Alicia and the baby were safe, my chest still felt unbearably tight.

Relief. Fear. Guilt.

The emotions tangled together until I could barely sort through them. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Truthfully, I had been terrified these past few days.

Ever since learning about the pregnancy, I constantly feared something might happen to either Alicia or the baby.

And tonight...

for the first time in years,

I truly felt helpless.

A few minutes later, Alicia was transferred into a private ward.

She had already fallen asleep, likely from emotional exhaustion.

I sat quietly beside the hospital bed, watching her pale sleeping face in silence.

Her eyes were still swollen from crying, and several strands of hair clung messily to her cheeks.

Carefully, I reached over and brushed them aside.

Even now, her brows were still lightly furrowed, as if she couldn’t rest peacefully even in sleep.

The guilt in my chest deepened.

Tonight should never have happened.

Then my gaze slowly lowered toward her stomach.

For a long moment, I said nothing.

I simply sat there quietly, staring.

Finally, I leaned forward, gently taking her hand into mine while resting my other hand carefully against her stomach.

"You scared me to death," I whispered softly....

‎I must have fallen asleep without realizing it.

‎The next morning, I was woken by a slight movement.

‎It felt as though someone was trying to pull their hand away from mine.

‎When I opened my eyes, I saw Alicia awake.

‎She was quietly trying to slip her hand from my grip.

‎For a moment, I simply stared at her.

‎The memories of last night came rushing back instantly.

‎"You’re awake," I said softly, immediately straightening in my chair. "Do you still feel any pain?"

‎Alicia didn’t answer.

‎Her gaze slowly lowered toward her abdomen.

‎I understood immediately.

‎"The baby is alright," I said gently. The "Dr. said it was caused by stress and overexertion."

‎I hesitated briefly before continuing.

‎"But you and the baby are perfectly fine,He said the baby is alright"

‎

‎Her lashes trembled slightly.

‎For the first time since waking up, emotion flickered across her face.

‎But it disappeared just as quickly.

‎

‎Then she quietly turned her face away from me and closed her eyes again.

‎The silence in the room became suffocating.

‎

‎I looked at her pale face for a long moment before speaking again.

‎"Are you hungry?" I asked softly. "Do you want me to get you something to eat?"

‎

‎"Go away."

‎

‎Her voice wasn’t loud.

‎Wasn’t angry.

‎Just exhausted.

‎I stayed silent for a moment.

‎"Maria will bring breakfast soon."

‎"I told you to leave."

‎This time her tone was colder.

‎Still calm.

‎Still quiet.

‎But distant enough to make my chest tighten.

‎

‎Alicia had never spoken to me like this before.

‎Not even during our worst arguments.

‎I slowly stood up.

‎When I reached the door, I paused and looked back at her one last time.

‎"...I’ll go," I said quietly. "But when Maria comes, please eat something , alright?"

‎

‎Alicia didn’t respond.

‎She simply kept her eyes closed.

‎I stood there for another second before finally walking out of the room.

‎